Leopard tree lessons

There were 2 elephants in camp when Ona retrieved us on Thursday morning. The breakfast buffet was set up around the fire pit, and we enjoyed coffee and juice with carrot muffins, toast, yogurt and cereal.

We climbed into the jeep and Ona pointed out hippo tracks entering the camp. Sue thought he said people tracks. Too much dust in the ears. We saw lechwe grazing, a stork with the colors of the German flag and elephants heading for the river. Ona pointed out some white hyena droppings, created when they feast upon bones. The calcium in the droppings is valued by eagles. It helps harden the egg shells. An apt example of the circle of life. 

We saw loads of impala, and Ona pointed out that they grow very fast. Some fairly large ones were actually less than a year old. We saw a fish eagle above nest, but no babies were visible. Ona pointed out the beautifully patterned feathers of the crested francolin bird. They run along the ground like grouse. They have a rather obnoxious call. 

We saw some white faced vultures and heard some impalas making alarm calls, but the only thing we found that could be causing any ruckus was a young bateleur eagle sitting on the ground. It was calling its mother to bring food. We saw a wildebeest in some bushes. 

Ona got a call on the radio that another driver spotted a leopard in a tree. We drove quickly and it was closer than Ona had thought. When we arrived she was up in a tree and looked magnificent. Ona explained that 2 weeks ago she had leapt on an impala from high up in another tree and injured her front ankle. She was stretching and moving the ankle a bit. At one point she changed positions. Julie wondered how she climbed the tree while injured and Ona said that going up is actually easier as she is pushing herself up with her back legs. But coming down would be more difficult. Just like Julie and her new knee. After we watched for about 10 minutes, she made her move to come down. She went head first for just a little while, then maneuvered herself so she came down backwards. It was brilliant. She walked with a noticeable limp, and Ona thought she would be looking to catch a grouse or other bird. When her leg healed, she would go back to chasing impala. We stayed quite awhile watching her but she never actually chased or attacked anything. 

We left and went along (and even into at one point) the River. We passed a monitor lizard sunning itself. Then we came to an incredible sight - a huge herd of 60 - 70 elephants hanging out on the river bank. There were several family groups, and babies of all sizes, as well as mature elephants and big bulls. It was impossible to get the whole group in one photo. Ona had the “crazy idea” of having our coffee break on the sand a short but safe distance away. It was unreal to be out of the vehicle in the presence of so many elephants. Ona said it was better than Starbucks. 

On our way back to camp, we saw a verreaux eagle owl with its pink eyes poking out of its nest in the fork of a tree. (Check out the first photo very carefully & maybe enlarge it - you can see the owl blending into the wood in the crook of the tree; mostly eyes & ears. How Ona even spotted it is beyond us.) We also passed some baboons. 

After such a memorable morning, we had a delicious brunch with eggs to order and various salads.  They served a crisp rose and juice to drink. We went back to our tents where Sue witnessed some elephants up close and personal. They were close enough to touch from the porch. Two of them blasted sand all over their bodies. Several others just grazed or stood near the tent to be admired. Nick awoke from his nap to catch some of the show. Julie spotted some water buffalo in the distance from the lodge porch. Clearly this is a camp where the animals come to you. It’s hard to imagine that our afternoon game drive can top this morning, but we know Ona will try.