Leopard Hills, Sabi Sands, South Africa — October, 2015

[Tom Kellie]

I got a big smile from the "we all have our moments" photo.

 

~ @@Marks

 

It's really true, isn't it?

We do have those “moments”, when we hope no lens is pointed in our direction.

I certainly have more than my share, on a fairly regular basis!

Thank you.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Great leopard series!

 

~One of the finest hours in all of my safaris. A finest hour! Now that's saying something--or poetically crafting something!

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

It was as near as I've ever experienced to “magic” on safari.

Utterly tranquil, no action to speak of, minimal disturbance, maximum intimacy, yet at a distance.

Xikavi was low-key, yet in my mind a voice repeated as a mantra: “this is a real leopard, this is a real leopard...!!!”.

It was about as near as I ever expect to get to wildlife at home with goggle-eyed, lens-toting safari visitors.

Oddly, it's been leopards alone with which I've felt most at home.

Sitting here typing a number of widely separated leopard sightings come to mind after which I went away with the sense that they'd permitted a certain degree or intimacy.

Leopards have a remarkable nonchalance. Whenever they show up, everyone else slips into high gear — “A leopard is here!”.

Even other predators get antsy at the sight of an unpredictable leopard arriving.

Yet leopards themselves so often seem at ease, with that supreme confidence they have, the result of an adaptable intelligence.

It was truly a fine hour.

Thank you for visiting this trip report when your time is focussed on the “special fabric pants” Tanzanian safari trip report.

Tom K.

Edited April 10, 2016 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

a stunning leopard. she's got a broken canine in her lower jaw, but i'm sure presents no problem in her feeding!

 

 

~ @@Kitsafari

 

Thank you for such a nice compliment for lovely Xikavi!

She's a lovely young mother in fine condition. Not in the least bit skittish.

That broken canine must be the result of a battle past.

She's a skilled hunter, specializing in moderately-sized antelope of any sort.

It's self-evident that her beauty hooked me!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Ceratotherium simum,

Quietly grazing in tall grass,

Calmly enjoying its freedom,

Hoping that all trouble will pass.

White Rhino in Tall Grass

Horn Tip Visible

Viewed from Another Vantage Point

[Atravelynn]

Your leopard series brought to mind the Tom Jones song, "She's a Lady."

[Tom Kellie]

Your leopard series brought to mind the Tom Jones song, "She's a Lady."

 

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Thank you!

Xikavi is the kind of leopard who deserves a little loving respect...as any lady would.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Rhinos have never struck fear in me,

Rather they have earned my respect.

There is no overt hostility,

They're more placid than I'd expect.

Emerging from Tall Grass

Making Hay

Runway

All in a Day's Work

Grazer in Grey

Grizzled and Grimy

Face-on with a Horn

Rider

[Atravelynn]

 

Great leopard series!

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Thank you!

The time spent observing Xikavi at close range was tranquil and unhurried.

One of the finest hours in all of my safaris. This observation, or any other of your choice, is ripe for a mention on the 10-year anniversary thread http://safaritalk.net/topic/16172-safaritalk-the-ten-year-topic-share-your-favourite-safari-experiences/

Her calm, unconcerned appearance reassured me that we weren't unduly intruding on her rest time, away from her cub.

Tom K.

 

[deano]

@@Tom Kellie - I agree with everyone who has commented on your leopard pics - really nice sequence. The white rhino series is also a really nice sequence with "grazer in grey" catching my eye the most.

 

You don't need to be told that I particularly enjoyed "track heading North" from a page or so back. Can't ever tire of the landscape in sabi sands.

 

kind regards

 

deano.

[Tom Kellie]

A sunny day for the final game drive,

With a contented-looking rhino in grey.
Animals are fun to observe alive,
Feeling they might live to see another day.

Sabi Sands White Rhino Profile

Arrangement in Grey and Grey

Quarter Moon

Pointilist

Close Cropping

Contented Rhinoceros

Zig-zag

Leopard Hills Rhinoceros

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

One of the finest hours in all of my safaris. This observation, or any other of your choice, is ripe for a mention on the 10-year anniversary thread http://safaritalk.net/topic/16172-safaritalk-the-ten-year-topic-share-your-favourite-safari-experiences/

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Thank you for the encouragement.

I've been enjoying the posts in the 10-year anniversary thread but haven't yet posted one.

My feeling is that as a fairly new, green Safaritalk member, I'd best not post anything until possibly later.

There are quite a few respected, veteran Safaritalk members who've had truly extraordinary safari experiences.

It's their participation over years which gradually built Safaritalk into where it is today.

My safaris have been deeply fulfilling but not in any sense exceptional. No rare destinations, no rare species, no rare events.

After others have posted their experiences, I may post something, but it's such a special thread that I'd feel pushy to post at this time.

Everyone has their hang-ups, I suppose.

Those of you who've been along for the ride for more than five years have so much more to share!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie - I agree with everyone who has commented on your leopard pics - really nice sequence. The white rhino series is also a really nice sequence with "grazer in grey" catching my eye the most.

 

You don't need to be told that I particularly enjoyed "track heading North" from a page or so back. Can't ever tire of the landscape in sabi sands.

 

~ @@deano

 

Thank you for your encouragement concerning both the leopard and rhino series.

I've posted more rhino images as there was an opportunity to photograph it at fairly close range.

Yes, when I posted the “Track Heading North” image I specifically thought of you!

It greatly pleases me that you'll be enjoying Leopard Hills in 2016!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

A helmeted guineafowl and I observe,

The many facets used to assemble,

A white rhino, each of which richly deserve,

Metaphors telling what they resemble.

Perched on Dried Mud

Grey Hide

The Texture of a Volcanic Asteroid

Whale's Eye

Rhino Watcher

Business End

Asymmetrical Harmony

White Rhinoceros on a Fine Morning

Dry Riverbed with Tall Grass and White Rhino

[Tom Kellie]

At last! The round entrance to your,

Hideout, a well-concealed lair,

Is revealed. Into that dark door,

I'll not go, I wouldn't dare!

Varanus Tail

Monitor Hideout

[Tom Kellie]

When you dine, who picks up the tab,

Or are you always a solo diner?

From your dwelling beneath a slab,

Quick meals on the run, there's nothing finer!

Giant Plated Lizard

Half In, Half Out

Gerrhosaurus validus

[Tom Kellie]

Haliaeetus vocifer whose loud cry,

Pierces the lowveld's tranquility,

Soars in wide circles in the azure sky,

Its wings displaying agility.

African Fish Eagle Wingspan

Haliaeetus vocifer

Soaring Away

[Tom Kellie]

For me, going on safari is to enjoy,

The unrestricted pleasure of being outside,

Feeling the simple happiness of a small boy,

Taking many photographs, enjoying the ride.

Abaft Lookout

Joyrider

[pomkiwi]

@@Tom Kellie I am late to comment (I have been en-route to Auckland for an all too brief trip taking in some education, a reunion with my son and sharing wine with close friends). However it would be wrong not to say how wonderful your record of you precious hour with the female leopard is. For me I find the complete indifference of the big cats to our presence in vehicles quite humbling - it is clear that in that context we are of no consequence to them. My most treasured moments on safari so far are extended times with leopards on their terms.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie I am late to comment (I have been en-route to Auckland for an all too brief trip taking in some education, a reunion with my son and sharing wine with close friends). However it would be wrong not to say how wonderful your record of you precious hour with the female leopard is. For me I find the complete indifference of the big cats to our presence in vehicles quite humbling - it is clear that in that context we are of no consequence to them. My most treasured moments on safari so far are extended times with leopards on their terms.

 

 

~ @@pomkiwi

 

I'm moved that you'd visit this trip report while in New Zealand, one of my favorite places.

Sharing time with your son is wonderful, as is drinking New Zealand's superb wine.

That you too have enjoyed extended, one-on-one time with leopards means much to me.

Perhaps we share a respect for their pronounced individuality, independent mindsets, and supple adaptability to an ever-shifting environment.

May your next safari provide ample time with leopards.

Thank you so much for your very kind comment.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

This sighting came out of the blue,

As we drove beside the Sand River,

A calm water thick-knee — who knew?

Leopard Hills does always deliver.

Water Thick-knee

[Tom Kellie]

Who'd dare to rest on a crocodile,

That most fearsome river-dwelling life?

A scarlet dragonfly perched in style,

Its keen vision sharper than a knife.

Two Resting Crocodiles

Scarlet Dragonfly on a Resting Crocodile

Caution — Hippos at Work

[elefromoz]

@@Tom Kellie, great lot of Rhino images, Yes you are right, that little eye is just like the eye of the Whale, so small amidst the bulk. We all hope they"live to see another day", what a sad place Africa would seem without them. Nice Thick-knee too, unlike the Rhino, a huge eye.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie, great lot of Rhino images, Yes you are right, that little eye is just like the eye of the Whale, so small amidst the bulk. We all hope they"live to see another day", what a sad place Africa would seem without them. Nice Thick-knee too, unlike the Rhino, a huge eye.

 

 

~ @@elefromoz

 

Thank you very much for your encouraging comment.

For a variety of reasons the Internet connection here to such “foreign” Web sites has been severely constricted in the past few days. All indications are that this interference may continue for the immediate future.

Therefore uploading photos and the accompanying verses is excruciatingly slow and cumbersome, with frequent random disconnections, requiring one to start over.

Those Safaritalk members living in free nations where there's no official meddling with communication are blessed. That's not at all the case where I live.

Your warm words mean a lot, as they validate the long, drawn-out struggle to upload each trip report installment.

As may be self-evident, I'm fond of rhinos. Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed the images, as well as that of the water thick-knee.

Tom K.

Edited April 11, 2016 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

Leopard Hills is great for birds,

In addition to the predators.

Their beauty is beyond words,

A welcome plus for all visitors.

Egyptian Geese

Sabi Sands Goliath Heron

Reed Cormorant and Pied Kingfisher

Goliath Heron at Sand's Edge

Blacksmith Lapwing and Three-banded Plover

[Tom Kellie]

Lazy curves of placid water passing sand,

The one constant in Leopard Hills flows along,

Funny how water contrasts so well with land,

As its current transforms, whether weak or strong.

Sand River Curves

Sand River with Pied Kingfisher and Reed Cormorant

Small Rock Dam Beside a Track

Sand River Shoreline