Cold and Rainy

Yesterday was 90 degrees and sunny.  Today was 60 degrees, 40 mph winds, and sometimes rainy.  It’s spring here, so the change of weather was to be expected.  This morning was chilly but pleasant, with good photography light – by the time we returned from this afternoon’s drive, we were ready for a hot shower and really wished we could curl up in front of a roaring fire … but had to settle for a blanket and a laptop.

The goal today was to find a cheetah.  The guides had evidence that the local cheetah had a kill last night and expected him to be resting today – they generally eat every 3-4 days or so and are elusive.  Mostly they stay away from any animal with horns, tusks, legs that can deliver a strong kick, bigger cats, angry or protective moms (so really, any mom) – actually, cheetahs sound like babies when you hear all that.  They can run fast, though, and bite hard.

But after they eat what they can of their prey, they leave the carcass for scavengers, and head elsewhere because they don’t want to be around in case hyenas or other cats wander by for an easy leftovers meal.  Here’s what we located this morning –

And a key participant in this Circle of Life:

Seymour said cats live to be around 14 or 15 years old, so this one is getting on in years.  He seems to be healthy and keeps his territory patrolled regularly.  He also provided for the vultures, and this committee was waiting their turn.  The scrum on the ground below was a free-for-all.

We spent some time watching cape buffalo.  Another one of the African animals that looks like you wouldn’t want to test out their skills in battle.

I like the giraffes – so elegant, not at all ungainly.

Hoping to see more of the giraffes as we go along.  Also elephants, zebras, hippos, and we are told some baboons hang out in the area too.

Having fun,

S.