Heartstring Moments - Springtime in the Kalahari 2018

[harrys]

Again some wonderful sightings with photos to match

[Alf]

So many cheetahs

[Flutterby]

Wow, so many cheetahs...you were really spoilt for choice!!

[Richprins]

Brilliant - what a bloodthirsty place that desert is!

You put so much effort into your "homework", Ex!

Thanks for the diagram, I think Mello must make diagrams for everything!

[Mel]

The diagram is spot on, Ex! And the discovered relation surely another astonishing event in the legendary Lisette - Corinne - Hanri history. I don't think there is or was any other cheetah family in the KTP that give / gave us so many fascinating insights than them.

Now I wonder if we have shared that leopard sighting too, or if Ikhaya happened to stumble over a lion beneath her several times. It sure looks like the one who was around when we saw her in the tree.

Great shot of the spider and the moth!

[Peter Betts]

Wow, so many cheetahs...you were really spoilt for choice!!

Best place in Africa for Cheetah sightings

[Dindingwe]

So many wonderful sightings and greats pictures ! I realize I missed so much when I was there

the Cheetahs , the Foxes and cubs , the Honey Badger and cub

Best place in Africa for Cheetah sightings

And hence in the entire world.

[Pumbaa]

WoW ExFmem,

and even more brilliant cheetah shots - Cannot believe what Wonderful sightings of the spotted ones you had

That ostrich shot is unique and another insect close up

[ExFmem]

Lis - "I have no idea of what the leopard is starring at, but I am much more curious to know what the ostriches are looking at."

The jumping spider was eating the moth (its eyes were bigger than its stomach, as saying goes…)

Harrys, Alf, Flutts, Peter, and Pumbaa - continued appreciation for joining me on my journey

RP - bloodthirsty indeed - as said before, this year was chock full of ACTIVE animals of all sorts. Loved it! Glad you appreciate my "homework" - thanks, teach. I would love to have diagrams of all (some) of the cheetah lineages, as they are hard to follow with just words, at least for me.

Mel - agree wholeheartedly on the insights gained from following the Lisette/Corinne/Hanri saga - so interesting and intriguing. Just imagine, what will we uncover next from this Royal Family???

We had heard about the leopard in the tree before, so were somewhat surprised she was still there for such an extended period - then the presence of the lion cleared that up to some extent. Cornered, sort of, tho' the lion didn't show any real interest in her while we were there (also the 11th).

Dindingwe - so….when is your return trip to the KTP scheduled??? Look forward to the TT and all your excellent pics.

[ExFmem]

We spent our last days at a Mata Mata Riverview unit, then moved to TweeR for our final days.

We were happy to see Hinault and Chipo once again -


Hinault






Chipo






At MataMata I usually try to find some insects since it's fenced. Here are a couple:


Balbyter Ant






Blfy - common Brown-veined White






A Megachilidae bee - they are distinguishable by the fact that they collect pollen on the underside surface of the abdomen, rather than mostly or exclusively on the hind legs as in other bee families. (Look closely )






These are TINY TINY flies that look like gnats on a flower to the naked eye :






ROOM WITH A VIEW - while dining outdoors one evening we were delighted to be joined by a family of 2 lionesses with 3 cubs.

















While the lion family quenched their thirst, we raised our Champagne glasses in a toast to our visitors.





Far too soon, the moms led their lil' ones back into the dunes…









We both agreed this was our most memorable meal of the trip. (And the food wasn't too bad either. )



Our trip to TweeR produced none other than….guess who???









Seems these two have a ways to go before they master the skills needed to succeed on their own.