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Robert Ball

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Robbie developed a passion for the African bush from many visits to his family’s small holding in a greater conservancy just outside Johannesburg. Living in the big city his whole life, he always found refuge in the outdoors and has grown to appreciate ...

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11 Comments

on The Effect of Weather on Animal Behaviour

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The smell of rain is incredible! I have also observed certain birds starting to call prior to rain, like the Burchells Coucals and ‘Piet-my-vrou’s’.

Senior Digital Ranger

Nice job, Robbie, and some nice photos, too. Thanks.

Nice blog on weather conditions and animals’ behavior. Thanks! And beautiful photos.
I like the one of the male leopard rubbing its head to reestablish his scent.

You’ve included some wonderful photos along with your story, really highlighting the amazing skies that can be seen during the summer season. I really enjoy the sights and smells that result from a summer storm, that fresh rain smell, the intense greens of the leaves and the unmistakable odor of wet earth. The animals adapt and so can we….

Another question answered! Thanks!
(Havr only visited in winter.)

I feel like it’s true that after the rains it has a certain sense of excitement that you can perceive and animals behaviour. I’ve gone out a number of downpours however and have observed only impala huddling together – like where is everything hiding?! Lol

Robbie the birds calling and animals looking for food is something to see. They know it is going to rain so they prepare for it. I love the smell of rain. Last week the Nyala bull came to visit and it was about to start raining when lighting struck and thunder roared the poor Nyala got such a fright he jumped over the dead tree and waited for the rain to pass. He then came down to eat what we put out for him to eat.

Robert, the animal world is always more keenly aware of the weather than we humans seem to be. At least that is my observation. Thanks for the update.

Robbie, We have never seen rain in all our winter visits! We can imagine that the rain definitely cools things off! We love the image with the lightning by Alex and added it to our favorites!

Coming to the Sabi Sand for my very first summertime visit and looking forward to at least one African thunder storm! Can’t wait to see the bush and animals after the rain passes and the earth is refreshed.

Very interesting article! Thanks for sharing, Robert Ball.

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