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Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:37 am
by Flutterby
He watched the warthogs run off, looking quite dejected, but our adrenaline was pumping!
We thought he would disappear but he started walking towards the road. I had the camera, and started snapping pics. He was getting closer and closer and we saw he was walking straight towards us. I was watching him through the zoom lens, and at one point he looked straight into the camera and I started shaking, because through the lens it looked like he was about to jump into the car.
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Of course, I stuffed up all the pics because I was so excited/panicked that all the pics were out of focus!
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We then realised there was a culvert directly under us. This pic was taken just before he disappeared into it.
We then quickly moved to the other side of the road, and I continued snapping away. Only a few pics were usable!
A last clear view of him before he disappeared!
We had been with the leopard for about 1.5 hours, but it was one of the most exciting leopard sightings we've ever had!
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Shortly after we had found it in the tree, a convoy of three landrovers with foreign tourists had asked what we were looking at. We pointed out the leopard to them, and they stayed for the whole time too. After the leopard had gone, the drove up to us and thanked us for giving them such a great sighting!
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Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2024 12:00 pm
by Michele Nel
Hi Flutterby. :)
I have enjoyed catching up with this travel tale. I am wondering whether our paths crossed in Kruger as we were there from the 28 Sept to the 24th Oct.
You were lucky with your leopard sightings .....:)
I am hoping to get a travel tale started soon.....but gosh life is busy.
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Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2024 12:33 pm
by Lisbeth
Wow! A lot happened during that leopard sighting
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Even if many of the pics are "sort of..." your storytelling is very vivid and it is easy to understand the excitement
It is funny to see how he keeps the balance with the tail around a branch, descending the tree.
Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2024 1:13 pm
by Pumbaa
Thanks so much, Flutterby,
luckily you found the leopard although far in the distance
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I really can feeling the excitement and you even made foreign tourists extreme happy
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Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2024 4:14 pm
by Bushcraft
Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 10:44 am
by Flutterby
Michele Nel wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 12:00 pm
Hi Flutterby. :)
I have enjoyed catching up with this travel tale. I am wondering whether our paths crossed in Kruger as we were there from the 28 Sept to the 24th Oct.
You were lucky with your leopard sightings .....:)
I am hoping to get a travel tale started soon.....but gosh life is busy.
Hi Michele, great to hear from you! I also saw that you were in Kruger while we were there, and tried to keep a look out for Monty when I remembered, but didn't spot him!
Lisbeth wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 12:33 pm
Wow! A lot happened during that leopard sighting

Even if many of the pics are "sort of..." your storytelling is very vivid and it is easy to understand the excitement
It is funny to see how he keeps the balance with the tail around a branch, descending the tree.
I also noticed the tail around the branch...very clever!
Pumbaa wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 1:13 pm
Thanks so much, Flutterby,
luckily you found the leopard although far in the distance
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I really can feeling the excitement and you even made foreign tourists extreme happy
It was very exciting!
Yes, the H10 is not the place you expect to find leopard!

Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 11:02 am
by Flutterby
Hippos and buffs from the low-level bridge.
Not sure of this one...a sandpiper of some sort?
Before going back to camp, we saw a bit of a traffic jam past Sunset Dam so went to have a look.
Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 11:07 am
by Flutterby
Back at camp, the Brat went to have a lie-down, and I sat on the verandah watching the birds. This weaver was very busy.
Even got some raindrops!
Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 11:10 am
by Flutterby
Spectacled Weaver...a first for me.
Re: A Spotty Flutter
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 11:30 am
by Michele Nel
The wader is possibly a Common Greenshank - it seems to have a slightly upturned bill which is diagnostic.
Lucky you with seeing a spectacled weaver - that one eluded me. :)
Lovely bird photos. :)