Botswana - Okavango Delta Part II
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A huge part of the joy from being on safari or going birdwatching or just observing nature is setting aside expectations and just appreciating whatever
comes your way, except maybe a cold wind with hail. This particular afternoon started slowly, as they often do, though we did see our first chameleon on
the boardwalk before we left camp. Those eyes and hands are really very cool.
So, there we were driving along when we suddenly came upon a Spotted Hyena nursing two pups, all sprawled comfortably on the track. We have seen
hyenas in the wild before, but never with young and never more than three. But, as it turned out, we had come across a communal den where we enjoyed
the antics of several adults, sub-adults, and young playing, grooming, and nursing. We could've stayed all day, but then the radio crackled...
comes your way, except maybe a cold wind with hail. This particular afternoon started slowly, as they often do, though we did see our first chameleon on
the boardwalk before we left camp. Those eyes and hands are really very cool.
So, there we were driving along when we suddenly came upon a Spotted Hyena nursing two pups, all sprawled comfortably on the track. We have seen
hyenas in the wild before, but never with young and never more than three. But, as it turned out, we had come across a communal den where we enjoyed
the antics of several adults, sub-adults, and young playing, grooming, and nursing. We could've stayed all day, but then the radio crackled...
Flap-necked Chameleon, Okavango Delta
Check out those hands and eyes, Flap-necked Chameleon
Checking up on the Leopardess
Young Vervet Monkeys, Okavango Delta
Vervet the Elder, Ojavango Delta
The Guardian, Okavango Delta
Young Spotted Hyenas Nursing, Okavango Delta
Playing
What's Over There?
A Gentle Nudge
Synchronized Grooming
Greetings
So, as I was saying the radio crackled, there was muffled conversation, and then our guide
Grant says "we have to go". But, why would we leave a pack of hyenas, we wondered.
Wild Dogs!!!, he said. Ohhh!!, we exclaimed. And off we went pell mell to get there before
the sun went down and or the dogs disappeared into the bush. It was a wild and crazy
ride, but we made it.
The photos are from that first afternoon sighting and a second sighting the next morning,
when we saw the pack in better light and sometimes shorter grass.
Grant says "we have to go". But, why would we leave a pack of hyenas, we wondered.
Wild Dogs!!!, he said. Ohhh!!, we exclaimed. And off we went pell mell to get there before
the sun went down and or the dogs disappeared into the bush. It was a wild and crazy
ride, but we made it.
The photos are from that first afternoon sighting and a second sighting the next morning,
when we saw the pack in better light and sometimes shorter grass.
Wild Dogs coming out of the bush, regrouping after the hunt
On the prowl. Each dog's markings are unique
Blue Wildebeests chasing away a Wild Dog
Impala Fleeing the hunting dogs, Okavango Delta
It was chaos. Dogs running one way, impala another. There wasn't a
glimmer of the nice coordinated pincer movements depicted in wildlife films.
glimmer of the nice coordinated pincer movements depicted in wildlife films.
Resting
Subservient dog greeting a higher-ranking one
Notice the flattened ears. The jaw-nibbling simulates young requesting food. Wild Dogs will
regurgitate food for other members (not just young) who didn't eat in the recent hunt.
regurgitate food for other members (not just young) who didn't eat in the recent hunt.
Book-ends
Skinny legs and all
What's Next?
Young Giraffe, Okavango Delta
How high is chest-high on a Giraffe?
Lot of Growing To Do
Out of Hiding
Surveying their domain
Too Much Peanut Butter
Giant Bullfrog. This guy is immense. We couldn't see his teeth but we were assured that they them Frogs with teeth...
Long Reed-Frog - a mite smaller than the Giant Bullfrog
Skink
Impala Harem with Lone Male, Okavango Delta
Nursing Impala, Okavango Delta
Harem Girls
Leaping
Bush Squirrels