Heartstring Moments - Springtime in the Kalahari 2018

[ExFmem]

Just as the day before, we met up with Corinne and cubs having a meal once again. This time it was an adult springbok mom had caught.


















The Yellow Mongooses were also in the mood for romance...















But like lions, once the mating is over, their relationship reverts back to reality.








Next courtship couple - Secretary Birds

[ExFmem]

Early one morning we saw a lioness walking towards the nearby waterhole.







We soon discovered she was not alone.





Much to our delight she had a tiny little cub in tow, trying mightily to keep up with mom.


From time to time she would go back and check on her lil' one.










The cub became tired and increasingly stopped and sat down to rest.






It called for its mom as she moved further and further away.






After reaching the waterhole the lioness drank for a very long time, then returned to her crying cub. She tried to reassure and encourage it to keep walking.







Though it appeared that she would finally carry the cub, there was no free ride to be had. She put it back down and they slowly walked back to the water.
















After downloading the pics that evening, it became clear why the cub was having such a hard time

[Pumbaa]

What gorgeous lion cub shots, ExFmem,

also love the mongoose, the secretary birds and for sure the cheetahs

A more than fruitful drive you had

[Richprins]

What is it with all the procreation there...something in the water?

Superb shots again, Ex. Impossible to pick a favourite, but I like the racing mongooses!

Interesting birth shots, and strange to only have a single lion cub?

[Mel]

Thanks for taking so much time to answer my question, Ex! And I also thought that a springbok birth is probably similar to any other,
even compared to us humans. But I'd be just as distressed if I had to witness a woman labouring the the way "our" springbok mum
had been. And we humans have means to actually make the process easier - if we want to and if the medication really helps in case
we decide to make use of it. If you get my drift (people might call me crazy for making a comparison like that… but my point is just the fact that we can use some sort of help).

[Mel]

Ough… that was a bittersweet episode… First I had a good giggle at your captions with the mongeese ( ).
Then I enjoyed the antics of the secretaries. After that, the very cute lion cub. And then... seeing its deformed
paw… no good Poor thing

[Flutterby]

Whew, your pics are amazing ExF!!

Poor little cub!

[Lisbeth]

I love the secretary birds standing on twigs even without wings

I wonder how far into life the poor little cub will arrive

Mr. mongoose is full of energy

[ExFmem]

Thank you for your comments and time Pumbaa, RP, Flutts, Sis (the mongooses mated several times while we were there and seemed to be "willing" again as we left, so yep, definitely energized!) & Mel (agreed, human moms can indeed opt for "help" during difficult childbirths but animals just have to suffer through it - one of many many harsh realities for wildlife )

[ExFmem]

Will catch up on some of the birds we saw:

Greater Kestral (don't they have such pretty faces?)


















Groundscraper Thrush






A Tawny Eagle was being harassed by a much smaller, but very tenacious plover









Finally, there were a pair of vultures, each one on opposite sides of the road, with its wings outstretched. They looked like they were competing for the attention of another nearby vulture, giving us a giggle.












"She" doesn't look overly impressed to me…
(I really don't even know the sexes of those involved, and they may have been just sunning themselves, but it was funny to watch regardless)