KTP March 2013 - Now I've had the time of my life... *

[Mel]

I was still wondering what was going on there. Surely, the goshawks didn’t plan to try to catch the the cobra? They must know that it would probably kill them? Anyway, the cobra went straight for an abandoned weaver nest:

[Mel]

And then everything went much too fast for us. All I registered was a squeaking of a striped mouse that the cobra had flushed out and some big commotion on the goshawk side as they rushed to pick up the mouse first. Successfully so, for one at least.

[Mel]

But it didn’t take long and the cobra served lunch for the other one as well. Another mouse had dropped to the ground and goshawk no. 2 dive-bombed onto it and started feeding. By the time the cobra had come back down again, goshawk no. 1 had also nicked the third mouse and the poor cobra was left hungry.



It was moving backwards and forwards to find what it had flushed out but to no avail.

[Mel]

Despite not having had found the cheetahs, our day was made. That had been such an extraordinary sighting that Spots and I rated one of our three bestest. Seems some of the other people there enjoyed it big time as well since when we met them again over the next days, we were asked where we had left the cobra. -O It had also been a good learning experience regarding PCG behaviour. Who says hyenas are scavengers…

[Mel]

Back at the camp we found a very industrious slender mongoose. So industrious that this is the one and only shot I ever managed:



The waterhole had another surprise for us – not the large herd of springboks, but the odd one standing out:

http://v6.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=33e0c5k&s=6

http://v6.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=20uvkv7&s=6

For tonight we had planned another braai with nan and actually Eric, the other camp attendant at Uri. But Eric didn’t show up and so we ended up the three of us. Which was actually a good thing as we got to talk just between ourselves and also because this had built up



and it was much more comfy to eat in the kitchen during the thunderstorm with three rather than with four people. -O Actually we just about managed to get the meat done before the rain started lashing down. But we couldn’t be bothered as we were having great company and enjoyable chatting.

[nan]

and this day, I also learn a lot, thanks to you, Mel and Stef, thank you

did you notice, one of the PCG has a knee a bit like my ankle

what do you think about the poisoned mice ... it is not dangerous for the PCG ???
specialist of birds... please can you answer this question -O

[Mel]

The mice were still alive when falling down, nan. Not sure if the cobra bit them beforehand
And both birds where still alive when we left them. -O

And, yes, I noticed the leg. But the funny legged one was actually the first one to be successful,
so reckon its leg didn't cause too much harm.

We did have a good time that night!

[Dewi]

Absolutely superb sighting and pics Mel.

Pale-chanting Goshawk often follow predators such as this to catch prey items disturbed by them and this is a classic example of this behaviour. They are known to follow Honey Badgers, Black-backed Jackals, Monitor Lizards, Mongoose and Cape Cobras for just this sort of opportunity. Well captured.

[nan]

we were more or less together at the same next sightings... so go on... I will follow... maybe not the same angle for the hunter... in the nest... again -O

[Mel]

nan

28/03/2013 – Urikaruus

Our trip was fast nearing the end. Two more full days left – and still only one cheetah sighting up to then. And a far off on top of it. There was nothing, nada, niente at the waterhole that morning and so we eventually left towards the north again. It was definitely a raptor morning