The first Wahlberg’s Eagle sighting at the end winter tells us that the season is drawing to a close. Although usually the first migrants to get here, this year they were beaten to Londolozi by a couple of Yellow-Billed kites, another species that spends the Southern Hemisphere winter in north Africa. Depending which source you consult, you might read that one or other of these two raptors is the first migrant to get here, but it’s not too important in the greater context of the seasonal change.
I’m not going to talk too much about bird migration here (although I’m annoyed with myself for not remembering to check on the status of the migratory cuckoos, and now they’re already in Africa!), but wanted more to have a brief ramble about the impending season change.
The Wahlberg’s eagles have already started to arrive.
I happened to be on drive with a couple of other rangers a few days ago, and we got into a discussion about what our favourite seasons were. I was a staunch advocate of winter, while James Souchon, although a fan of the cooler temperatures, stated emphatically that he was ready for summer. Talley Smith was firmly in the winter camp.
I’m sure I’ve written a post on this subject before, but each year when either the bush starts drying out (winter is coming), or the first rains are imminent (spring), or the thermometer hits 40 degrees Celcius for the first time (summer hitting with a bang), the guiding and tracking team are forced to revisit what it is they are most looking forward to about the upcoming months.
When the sun disappears in winter, the jackets and gloves come out. In summer however, it can sometimes be a relief to have the sun sink behind the distant escarpment. Photograph by Amanda Ritchie.
From a pure comfort point of view, winter is usually slightly easier (at least for me). Although cold in the mornings, a few extra layers take care of that problem. Summer can be scorchingly hot (so game drive times are adjusted accordingly), but the verdant green landscape after the rains is truly magnificent, and Londolozi is alive with the singing of cicadas, the trilling of the Woodland Kingfishers, and the calls of a thousand and one frogs.
It’s ironic that human nature is generally to be afraid of change, but in the context of the African bush, the seasonal change is what is most anticipated. Real winter usually only lasts about three months, as does the height of summer. The other six months of the year are ones of transition. One barely has time to get fully immersed into winter or summer before the pendulum starts on its inexorable swing back to the other one.
Summer means green…
I imagine that the approach of summer for us is something akin to dusting off the skis when the first snow clouds start rolling in over the Alps or the Rocky Mountains. When you know it’s coming, you start gearing up. Rangers start relearning the songs of the various frog species and migratory birds, the grass reference books are brought down off the shelves again, and we all start looking forward to sampling Mama Connie’s latest batch of marula jam. The trackers know that when the grass is long, the roaming predators of Londolozi tend to stick to the more prominent game paths, avoiding the thicker bush, so the tracking approach needs to be adjusted accordingly. Ponchos get brought out of the trunks they’ve been stored in, in case a sudden summer storm breaks over the reserve.
All around the lodge, the change will slowly start to become apparent as all departments begin shifting their operations into summer mode.
The upcoming summer is going to be very different in terms of the leopard dynamics, with a few familiar faces like the Tamboti female no longer with us.
The Tamboti female inhabited the south-eastern sections of Londolozi, having a large part of her territory along the Maxabene Riverbed.
With Londolozi’s human contingent altering their day-to-day as summer approaches, we have to beg the question: do animals do the same?
We’ve written before on whether or not animals feel anxiety, and stated that to do so they would need a certain level of forethought. If they do have this ability, then are they also able to look forward to Summer like us?
Personally I think they simply go day-to-day, but others might feel differently. What do you think?
I am a summer person and although it get very hot here in the Lowveld I still love it. The Lowveld is nagical in summer. We can realy not complain about the winter as it is really very mild compared to elsewhere on the planet. A few cold days but mostly sunmy and clear skies. I do agree that the animals take the change of seasons in their stride. It is just the humans that complain about the heat or the cold. It is realy just nature.
Really enjoyed your post, James, about the approaching summer and the changing seasons…especially as we are due to be in the bush again in a month.
Sadly not at Londolozi, as we were just there in May, and before that, in November ‘17. We enjoyed the contrasting weather and landscapes on those two visits, and of course the wonderful Londolozi hospitality, which is always warm, no matter what the weather is doing!
We are already planning our third visit to Londolozi to celebrate a special birthday next year.
Brilliant Melanie! Look forward to having you back!
I also am a fan of the Maryland Jam. Again, I so appreciate your insight into the coming months. We return in October.
That should have said Marula Jam
Great to hear it Joan. The Marulas won’t be fruiting then unfortunately, but if you can return again in January or February…?
Summer. My favorite is summer. I need multi-layers of clothing for winter drives. Can’t operate my camera with thick gloves?. I long to spend a wedding anniversary at Londolozi (July 27, 1981-married in Evander) I know that I would not be a happy guest…even at Londolozi.
Hi Judy. Haha I think you just need some more effective gloves…! 😉
Oh, I think it may be a simple “day as you go” for wildlife in Londolozi. It’s the humans that need more or less of the seasonal trappings: layers, ponchos, hats, etc. The one constant for us regardless of season: the camera. The animals are still simply licking their chops for the next meal, no matter the time or season!
Hi Joanne,
Agreed 🙂
I love summer in the bushveld! It may be hot, but the colours, the birds and the new life outweigh that by a huge amount!!
Have the woodland kingfishers arrived yet?
Hi Callum,
No, they usually only arrive in mid-November…