We had a very nice lunch (check The Shed if you're ever in Cradock) with our friends, and it was the prelude to another fabulous afternoon in the park. Our plan was simple... head up the main road towards main camp & check Doornhoek Dam, then up onto Rooiplaat and down the Link Road in time to check Ubejane for foxes & aardwolf before heading out
Simple plans were changed
Doornhoek had lion right at the dam wall
Another young lion was also there, but made a quick escape - they still weren't too sure of vehicles
The lioness wasn't quite so concerned, and tried her best to prove that she was a dragon rather than lion
After hanging around at Doornhoek we realised that there simply wasn't time for Rooiplaat and the Link Road. Instead we went back down the main road so that we could do Ubenjane twice
On the main road we saw aardwolf number 274,563
Ubejane itself was a little bit quiet, but we thought we had gone along the loop just a fraction too early. Some good spotting discovered a couple of bat-eared foxes
The sunset made for some fantastic views over the landscape
The rest of the loop was quiet so we had sufficient time for a second pass. Along the main road between the Ubejane junctions we came across another aardwolf doing its thing
A herd of springbok came through which had the aardwolf concerned - they fluff themselves up to look as big and menacing as possible
However the springbok didn't fall for the trick and promptly chased the aardwolf which was funny to see
With the aardwolf clearly outwitted, we enjoyed the sunset before heading into Ubejane again
Unlocking Mountain Zebra
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
Fluffed up like that the aardwolf looks ridiculous
Funny to see a "wolf" being chased away by a springbok
Beautiful light in the scenery pics and nice to see something green
Funny to see a "wolf" being chased away by a springbok
Beautiful light in the scenery pics and nice to see something green
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The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
I found the other gemsbok...sorry, my brain cells have depleted...
The first lion pic is perfect, although maybe alien veggies in the foreground?
Lucky afternoon, Peej, and the last aardwolf does look quite big...difficult to judge their size from photos?
The first lion pic is perfect, although maybe alien veggies in the foreground?
Lucky afternoon, Peej, and the last aardwolf does look quite big...difficult to judge their size from photos?
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
Thanks Lis - yep the aardwolf aren't particularly brave
They aren't particularly big - but when fluffed up they do look a lot larger
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
I was sure that our second loop of Ubejane would provide more aardwolf & foxes as it was really getting dark. After about a km D blurted out 'Aardwolf... no cheetah!'. We weren't quite sure what he had seen as a herd of red hartebeest were running away and had our attention. But there just next to the car at the base of a tree was indeed a cheetah!!
He was up and moving so we quickly turned around to follow him. He spent a short while relaxing by the side of the road
But he seemed in something of a hunting mode so was quickly moving again and scanning the area
We have since learned that this is Mabula - the dominant male cheetah in the park
He was travelling east, and moved well off the road, but we figured he would cross the Wilgerboom river and come out the other side so after waiting a while we were rewarded with a last sighting of him before it was time to head off to the gate
On our way to the gate in the near total darkness (ISO 12800 makes the pics appear light but it really wasn't), there was time for one last aardwolf as well
During the day we had also been fortunate to spot this young chap
He was up and moving so we quickly turned around to follow him. He spent a short while relaxing by the side of the road
But he seemed in something of a hunting mode so was quickly moving again and scanning the area
We have since learned that this is Mabula - the dominant male cheetah in the park
He was travelling east, and moved well off the road, but we figured he would cross the Wilgerboom river and come out the other side so after waiting a while we were rewarded with a last sighting of him before it was time to head off to the gate
On our way to the gate in the near total darkness (ISO 12800 makes the pics appear light but it really wasn't), there was time for one last aardwolf as well
During the day we had also been fortunate to spot this young chap
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
I think it's the most beautiful cheetah that I have ever seen
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
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The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Re: Unlocking Mountain Zebra
Good grief, Peej!
So you saw ALL the big and hairies in the park, are there leopard?
And it must have taken ages taking the collars out of every cheetah pic!
The low light on the cheetah creates a beautiful effect!
Thanks very much for another class installment with pro pics...they make all the difference!
So you saw ALL the big and hairies in the park, are there leopard?
And it must have taken ages taking the collars out of every cheetah pic!
The low light on the cheetah creates a beautiful effect!
Thanks very much for another class installment with pro pics...they make all the difference!
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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