The beauty of being in the bush is that you never really know what you are going to see. Sometimes you see everything, and sometimes there is less around and this gives you an opportunity to really take all the stunning scenery around you. Then there are times when you set off with a specific goal and nature just has another plan for you. That was the case when Rangers Matthew Rochford, Kelsey Clark and myself set off for a walk one afternoon.
During an afternoon drive, Matt and I approached Ximpalapala Koppie in the golden hour.
Our plan was to go for walk and explore the area around Ximpalapala Koppie (a rocky outcrop in the northern parts of the reserve). Shortly after beginning our walk, we had not even walked 100 meters away from the vehicle when in the distance we heard a faint growl followed by what sounded like a high-pitched squeal of a hyena. There was a steady breeze blowing at the time, so we knew that the sound had been carried by the wind and was probably a little further than it sounded on the other side of the koppie. We immediately turned around and headed back towards the vehicle to go and investigate what all the commotion was about.
Coming around the corner to where we thought the sound was coming from, we were very surprised to find a flock of Southern Ground Hornbills.
We noticed that a few of them had something in their bills, and on closer inspection, we saw that it was the remains of a scrub hare. Could this have been the squeal we had heard just moments earlier? It seemed like it as we were convinced that was where the sound had come from and sometimes when a scrub hare is killed it lets off a high-pitched squeal.
While we were sitting there, still a bit confused but amazed at the Ground Hornbills’ ability to catch something that size, we heard hyenas calling nearby. There was something more going on, another kill of some sort somewhere for sure and it wasn’t just the unfortunate scrub hare. The coincidence of the hornbills being where they were at that time and with a scrub hare will always amaze me.
Almost immediately as we turned to head in the direction of the hyenas we saw a vulture landing in a tree not far from where the hornbills had been. As we got closer we saw a leopard dash off from a termite mound into the long grass. Close by a few hyenas were finishing off the remains of an impala kill that he must have dropped from a tree growing out of the termite mound from which he ran.
A very full-bellied hyena stands over the remains of a kill.
Eager to see which leopard it was, we drove around to try to get another view. Unfortunately for us, we struggled, it must have been a new young male to the area that was a little bit skittish. Knowing our chances of seeing him properly were slim, we returned back to the hyenas. That is when we saw the Flat Rock Male.
The Flat Rock Male must have been near to the area to have heard all the action and came to investigate.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
This for sure wasn’t the male we had seen earlier. The one we saw was smaller and hidden well in the long grass. The Flat Rock Male must have been close by and in hearing all the commotion he came to investigate. Approaching the feasting hyenas, he stopped a little distance away from them realizing that his odds of stealing the kill from them were next to nothing. Instead, he picked up on the scent of the young male and climbed up into a nearby tree (the tree from which we think the young male leopard had dropped his kill) and sniffed around where we can only imagine was the start of all the chaos.
We followed the Flat Rock Male for a short while after he descended the tree, not having a clear scent of the young male, he moved off further east until eventually, he disappeared into the long grass.
After all this excitement we decided to finish off our original plan of exploring the koppie, by simply climbing it to watch the sunset, which was the perfect end to a surprisingly thrilling afternoon.
Tayla, thank you for the story. You never know what you will see and find when you start looking, especially when the story changes as you investigate.
Another chapter in leopards adventures tale, this time a male-to-male one! The look in an experienced adult male’s eyes is always peculiar, deep and more self-confident. If you look at vultures at a certain distance they look beautiful, have nothing less than birds of prey. Especially in flight. Thank you for the tale and the pictures
Tayla you saw a lot for one afternoon drive. I’m sure the sunset was also so beautiful to see. Just seeing one leopard and on top of everything it is the flat rock male makes all the difference. Nature surprises you every time because it is so unpredictable. You never know what you are going to see.
That sounds so special!!
Great afternoon, for all of you, Tayla
What an unusual afternoon Tayla! Amazed to hear that the ground horn bill might have taken down a hare..or do you think it had died of natural causes and they were just feasting on what remained ? Love these comical birds and their loooonng eyelashes 😊Such a shame you didn’t get to see the new comer to Londolozi ….. but indeed… what a beautiful end to your day!
So just another boring day at Londolozi . . . it is the wonder of your magnificent reserve that you truly don’t know what is around the next bend in the road. By all means, make a plan. Just remember that Mother Nature is in charge.
Great story Tayla! I love how things often start one way and end up another, especially at Londolozi!
Indeed an exciting afternoon and beautiful ending in that very special golden light. Flat Rock Male is still my favourite, probably because we actually spent time with him! Thanks Tayla – may your exciting sorties continue.
Tayla, Thanks for the great post! We look forward to our next visit and sitting on top of Ximpalapala to watch the sunset again! Our favorite spot. Thanks for taking us there!
Thanks Tayla for your story of yet another unplanned adventure in the bush. I love that you were heading to the koppie but detoured along the way as sighting after sighting materialized. The Flat Rock male is such a stunning leopard- his eyes seem to pierce through anything and/or anyone as he patrols his territory.
A great lesson to follow your pings and be flexible. What a perfect afternoon.