Up before dawn. 0545. It is dark. It is cold. The hippos were all over the place last night. You could the the splashing and groaning. Time to get dressed. Two pairs of socks, leggings, pants. Arm "leggings" for lack of a better word, long sleeve cycling shirt, cycling shirt on top of that, cycling sweater on top of that, cycling vest on top of that. Bandana and a balaclava type fleece neck warmer (ie a toque with a hole in the top). That has to be warm enough. On the jeep awaited a hot water bottle and a blanket to cover my legs with. I was warm. I was ready. I assume the others were as well. ;) If curious about any of the other three, check their blog site.
Along with the usual assortment of animals I've noted almost daily, we also came across a herd of Cape Buffalo. That was neat.
We also came upon a pair of ostriches. And all in between we saw many birds. Pretty birds, birds of prey. In the trees, on the ground, taking off as we approach, and in the sky.
Lisa has taken a special interest in the birds and she can now spot and name many of them. Her interest is spreading to me. I don't necessarily need to be able to identify them, I just want to photograph them.
At times with the shaky jeep, moving people on the jeep including me, the guides stopping too late after frightening the birds or stopping such that a branch obfuscates my view. Not easy. Then you need to get the light just right. Before nine or after five, and never behind or to close to the sides of the birds.
We then went down to the water for a drink and snacks and parked at the edge where we watched a pod of hippos. Very cool.
On our way back to camp, Lisa spotted a vulture. Then two. Then three. Then countless more. In the tress, in the air, circling. We heading for the circling. Under a tree ahead we saw over a dozen of them. We barreled ahead, a mistake, I should have yelled stop. Because they up and flew away. Because we were moving, no good photos of the event. Under the tree I found a solitary hoof which we identified as a buffalo hoof.
Bali then continued on toward the circling. We went off road. The jeeps at this camp suck. Two large spare tires under our feet, not enough storage compartments, and just plain old army looking issue. They were not Land Rovers or Toyotas. They were not made to go through water. There is no water to go through here, just sand filled roads. Anyway, we went off road. We drove over bushes, small trees, stumps, whatever. Most of the small stuff stood back up after we passed over it. Again we were making our own roads. Fun, fun, fun. Some of the small stuff was 4 feet high. Substantial stuff.
The prize, a watering hole, a bush, vultures in the air, on trees, on the ground. And a jackal eating away at a large buffalo carcass. Large rib cage exposed, most of it eaten. We figured our arrival chased away a couple of lions. We saw the tracks. This gave the jackal (who was as nervous as the hyena the other day) a chance to eat. The vultures took their picks as well, and at times he hushed them away.
On the way back to camp we also spotted a Steinbeck antelope. Looks and hops just like a little bunny rabbit. They are the size of a small dog. A rare find.
Finally we came across the Roan antelope. All in all a good morning.
