It’s that time of year again when the reserve smells like fermenting fruit, and the elephants are losing their minds and their manners over marula trees.
We started the morning with a massive bull who seemed to be weighing up his options. Elephants can be awfully destructive when they want the “good stuff” at the top. It’s not mindless; it’scalculated, but only in that moment, and does not involve any foresight. After a few half-hearted shakes that didn’t yield enough results, he decided the entire tree was better off horizontal. It’s tragic to us onlookers, but when you’re five tons, and you need to eat, you do what it takes.
Leaving the elephants to their feast, we made a dash across the property. Tayla had found a male cheetah, which we don’t exactly get daily. When we arrived, the tension was thick. We could only see a herd of Impala looking entirely too relaxed for their own good.
A flash of spots and scattering of impalas, ending in a successful hunt. But, as is often the case for the fastest animal out here, the victory was fleeting. The “tax men” were lurking.
After the chaos of the morning, the afternoon took a rather relaxed, calm route. We found ourselves parked at a waterhole, and frankly, we didn’t leave until the sun hit the horizon.
There is something strangely hypnotic about watching an African Jacana, the ultimate “single dad” of the bird world, navigate lily pads with three tiny, leggy chicks in tow. Combine that with a Common Moorhen family, and you have enough to keep you occupied for hours.
Enjoy This Virtual Safari…
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Hi Sean! A full grown Marula tree and a full grown elephant bull are impressive to see. When the elephant decides to break down the Marula it’s rather a shock! I guess the feelings of Marula trees nearby, the communicate like wires through roots…. the cheetah is as gorgeous as unlucky. They have 60% of chance to get a prey, higher than lions and other predators. Hyenas are a bit too many and damage other species. Poor lamb! Born to live and such a miserable end. I never liked hyena, even when studying animal behaviour and behavioural ecology I chose hyenas for an in-depth observation. The aggressive behaviour these animals exhibit it’s something too much for the environment around. Male lions are their only true enemies. I was elated by MorHeens and Jacanas, when studying poliandry I also focused on Jacanas…. they are incredibly, look at those tiny birds hopping on water surface perfectly! And the very caring father. The last images are so funny. Birds, insects , fish and reptiles often lift you up! Thank you for this unusual sequenced video!
Thanks so much, Francesca. It was a great week with so much going on.
Watching an elephant fell a tree is so remarkable. Bummer for the cheetah, but glad it wasn’t injured by the hyenas. I loved seeing the clips of the various bird families and the hornbill dust bathing.
It was such a bummer for the cheetah, hopefully he managed to get something else to eat later on.
Dear Sean, what a safari with so many action. Thanks
Thanks so much, Jutta. it was an action packed virtual safari.
How incredibly frustrating for the cheetah after doing all the work. Do you think this is the male that fathered the Makhotini family?
It was unfortunate that the cheetah didn’t even get a bite. yes, it could likely be the same male. He is the one that roams all the way into the deep southwest.
Hi Sean. I felt very disappointed that the Cheetah could not even get a taste of his impala kill before the 2 hyenas came in and grabbed it away from him. The Jacana chick’s are really cute and it looks as if they are walking on stilts. The Moorhen was a little shy to come out and show you her chick’s. Dust bathing for birds are beautiful to watch as they try and get as much dust on themselves as possible. Oh I nearly forgot about the huge elephant bull that pushed the Marula tree over. So very destructive but as you say they must eat.
I know, it was sad for the cheetah and the marula tree.
Wonderful, the scene with the elephant, first assessing his chances of getting to the fruit without taking the tree down and then indeed taking it down.
And the poor cheetah was cheated out of his lunch by the hyenas. What would you say: how often does a cheetah lose a meal to another predator? Every second time? It must be really frustrating, having to do all the work and then having to leave with an empty stomach.
The bird scenes are so lovely. These tiny little Jacanas are so cute and the dust bath of the yellow billed hornbill is really entertaining. Thanks, Sean, for another great video!
I would say that cheetahs lose more carcasses than they keep. I would be very surprised if a cheetah finishes off an entire impala without having it stolen. I guess, it just comes down to how much of the carcass has the cheetah been able to eat before it gets stolen.
What a terrific way to begin your Virtual Safari showcasing the intelligence of Elephants, especially when they see something they want to eat. His strategy was fascinating to watch, curving his trunk around a substantial limb whilst positioning his tusks as a type of leverage. As one attempt failed he just moved to another position and tried once again, continuing his plan until the tree had weakened enough to fall – brilliantly done!
But then the mood shifted from exhilaration as you captured the male cheetah with his well-earned kill to disappointment and frustration as the pesky hyenas capitalized on an easy meal. It’s the way it is but still difficult to watch as I am always rooting for the cheetah. Fortunately your afternoon at the pond completed the safari on a high note as who can resist watching a “daddy” Jacana leading his chicks around the vegetation as they all look for something to eat. I’ve never seen a Moorhen so thank you for including them. Watching yellow-bill Hornbills is always fun as they are to me the birds with big personalities – always ready to entertain. I’m so looking forward to returning t0 my favorite place in just 53 days…..
Thanks so much, Denise. It was a great virtual safari, with so much going on. I am sure you are excited for your next trip.
sometimes nature is cruel that poor cheetah I hope he gets another catch and gets to eat it the birds are beautiful thank you Sean
Thanks so much, Lyn. Let’s hope the cheetah managed to catch something else.