A QUIET WEEK IN PILANESBERG

[steamtrainfan]

Before I start my travel tale I am sure you are all aware of the devastating fire that hit Pilanesberg between 1 and 3 September 2018.

Pilanesberg is 572 square miles in area. The press and management reported that only between 5000 and 8000 hectares ( 50- 80 sq. kms) was burnt.

The map below shows the extent of the fire and I am feel that a lot more than only between 10 and 14 percent of the reserve was burnt, or is my maths incorrect?



Also while driving around we saw a lot more burnt ground than non-burnt.

However, the good news is that there was lots of green shots popping up all over the place.

Joan and I both believe that this was the reason we saw so little game and bird life.

A lot of listees on Pilanesberg Gem of the North West do not believe it made ant difference to the viewing.

Maybe we have been spoilt in the past, I mean last year was exceptional, and expected to see more than we did then.

Travel tale follow soon.

[Richprins]

Yay! You still alive!

Very interesting pic that, I must say, stf!

Oh well, as long as not too many animals were killed?

[steamtrainfan]

Yay! You still alive!

Very interesting pic that, I must say, stf!

Oh well, as long as not too many animals were killed?

Thanks very much R.P..

Yip, still in the land of the living.

I am more of a reader than a responder.

Reports are that no animals were killed.

I think that the Pilanesberg rangers and emergency services did a stunning job.

[steamtrainfan]

We know that we are now getting old as we used to drive the kids around the game reserves now the kids are driving us around.

So nice to sit and be able to look around and not have to worry about keeping an eye on the road.

[Richprins]

Ja so sis you sit in the back and ?

[steamtrainfan]

Ja so sis you sit in the back and ?

[steamtrainfan]

5 October 2018.





Very lucky to catch this Blackie with elephant in the background.







This was a very interesting interaction. We were watching a male and female steenbok grazing peacefully. We suddenly noticed a black backed jackal in the background and it was trotting up towards the couple. The female suddenly ducked behind a rock and lay flat down. The male then ran towards the jackal. He stopped a few metres from the jackal and a stand off ensued with them each staring at each other. After a minute or so the jackal trotted off in the opposite direction as if nothing had happened.



Sorry about the lousy photo but it is our only proof that we saw a brown hyena.



To be continued.

[Richprins]

stf!

Plenty of rare sightings!

Interesting that theoretically both jackal and steenbok mate for life...

[Peter Betts]

Great sightings here and to see a Brown Hyena is very privaleged ..While no large mammals were killed you can be sure that the toll amongst the snakes, Tortoise, rats and Mice, Nesting Birds , Insects , etc would have been huge ..Very sad

[Lisbeth]

Great to hear from you again STF

It was very sad news, when we heard about the Pilanesberg burning and re your map it does look as if it was more widespread than we were told

Nobody is getting younger We can only try to do as if

Some nice sightings though