When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Post by **Mel** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:35 pm

PJL wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 4:28 pm Mel

Nice start to your 'quiet' trip. That second leopard sighting must have been brilliant with no other vehicles around! You got some great shots.

Looking forward to the rest of your report

Definitely can't complain about this sighting

It went very quiet for a few days after that though

Post by **Mel** » Sun May 12, 2019 8:58 pm

Grootkolk from the 8th to the morning of the 13th April 2019

Our time at Grootkolk was very relaxing if nothing else. The lions still haven't returned to hang out in the camp and sightings of them are spaced out over a week or even two these days. We heard them alright, but they never showed up and actually moved past during the night - with or without drinking, I wouldn't know. Even the clockwork brown hyenas missed a few beats and only turned up ever other day or so. Mostly in the dark as well. Only once one showed mercy and ambled in at day break.

Since the days were warm but not hot, the birds didn't book all inclusive at the bird bath either, so I enjoyed it even more when the little weavers were around doing their thing and happily chirping.

A first for me at Grootkolk was Mr and Mrs green-winged Pytilia visiting

Then what I think is a young quelea

This drongo took great joy in using the bird bath for actually bathing in it, but I couldn't take a photo without disturbing it, so I just enjoyed watching and took photos when it finished the spa treatment.

Some LBJ which might be a lark-like bunting, but not sure. Must look it up when I find time. But definitely no regular at the bird bath for me.

And a red-eyed bulbul.

Of course there were many other species, but if it's not something extraordinary like the pytilias or that LBJ, I ceased taking photos of them at the bird bath and only try to get them in the tree

Post by **Mel** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:00 pm

The wildebeest were regulars again, but apart from this one occasion they never hung out. Usually they would run in, drink and run out again

Post by **Mel** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:07 pm

It was actually our second night at Grootkolk - I was in the shower again for a change, when the SO came in and told me to hurry up since we were having a feline visitor. Luckily this time around the soap had already been washed of and the creature was also still a far way off, so I had enough time to get properly dressed

Just as well because in Grootkolk there would have been no disguising from the neighbours

When we saw this, our world was still in balance…

But it became clear very quickly that this was not a sighting we had hoped for. The poor girl was unhealthily thin and so desperate for food

She drank for at least 15 minutes before returning the way she had walked in and slopped down at a spot where we still could see her through the binocs. I had half expected to see her dead the next morning but she was gone. I do hope she managed to hook up with the rest of the bunch who shared a meal with her...

Post by **Mel** » Sun May 12, 2019 9:09 pm

On the morning that we had to leave, we were not held up by lions for a change, but by a spotted hyena

After half an hour or so, it went on its merry way and we were rather grateful to have been treated to our one and only spottie sighting for this trip.

Post by **Alf** » Mon May 13, 2019 5:36 am

Sounds like a very relaxing time there. Poor lioness

Post by **Flutterby** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:08 am

Lovely pic of the Brown Hyena, $\O$ but that poor lioness!

Post by **Richprins** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:59 am

Sounds lovely to sit on the stoep all day, Mello!

And you saw everything eventually!

No idea what the LBJ is...

Well done on your first clothed nocturnal sighting! $\O$

Post by **Lisbeth** » Mon May 13, 2019 10:01 am

It got not exactly crowded

Great pic of the brownie $\O$

The birds ar Grootkolk are never missing and you were lucky to see some not out of the usual bunch

That young lioness does not not look well at all

Post by **ExFmem** » Tue May 14, 2019 12:10 am

Whew, just catching up on TT's, and you are all making me homesick.

At least I can visit vicariously thru all the photos and tales.

YAY Boipelo $O/\$ $O/\$ - there are so many new leopards that I can't even ID my own sightings anymore. (When is the next ID Guide coming out, if you know?)

The steenbok family sighting is very special

We often find Grootkolk "quiet", sightings wise, especially with the intermittant dry waterholes and the distances one may have to travel. Gas availability also plays into our decision as to how long to stay there. None the less, we also LOVE the camp for its peace and tranquility. Your brownie pic is stunning

The lioness...

Africa Wild

When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)

Re: When the Lions are away, the Leopards come out to play (April 2019)