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

[Tom Kellie]

High above the gathering wild dog pack,

A Hooded Vulture disdainfully looked down,

From ground-based wild dogs it feared no attack,

Instead giving their frolic a scornful frown.

Hooded Vulture

[Tom Kellie]

For wild dogs, and humans, too, waiting is no fun,

The minutes pass so slowly by,

Silently asking: ‘what exactly have I done?’,

Hoping time will rapidly fly.

Canine Tedium

Waiting Room

Minutes Slowly Pass

Ears Perpetually Alert

Gnawing on a Dry Branch

[pomkiwi]

@@Tom Kellie

Thank-you for this report, both the craft of the verses and the quality of the photos have captured my attention. I do think there is an important reminder not to forget the samll things and the details in some of your accounts and images.

Mark

Edited December 2, 2015 by pomkiwi

[pomkiwi]

Although not sure about finishing one with 'Yippee'

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

Thank-you for this report, both the craft of the verses and the quality of the photos have captured my attention. I do think there is an important reminder not to forget the samll tings and the details in some of your accounts and images.

Mark

 

~ @@pomkiwi

 

That's very kind of you to write such encouraging words.

Safaris are woven of such a variety of strands, some thicker and brighter than others.

Yet the weft and warp of all are essential, down to the humblest invertebrates and microorganisms.

Thank you!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Although not sure about finishing one with 'Yippee'

 

~ @@pomkiwi

 

That was intended as an indirect ‘shout-out’ to my friend @@Peter Connan.

http://safaritalk.net/topic/15538-leopard-hills-sabi-sands-south-africa-october-2015/ Post #3

Tom K.

[COSMIC RHINO]

great photos, interesting

 

I know that I am travelling when it is cold , I don't take swimmers and have only put a hand in the pool to tell it is too cold

[Tom Kellie]

great photos, interesting

 

I know that I am travelling when it is cold , I don't take swimmers and have only put a hand in the pool to tell it is too cold

 

~ @@COSMIC RHINO

 

Thank you so much for visiting this trip report.

As an experienced South Africa visitor, perhaps most of the species may be well-known to you.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Lycaon pictus, or wild dog, is often in motion,

Chasing, running, circling and such,

Pups are cared for by all with admirable devotion,

Reflection occurs but not much.

White Tail, White Teeth

Harlequin Coats

Feeding Time

After Feeding

Beside a Shrub

Social Interaction

Wild Dog Beauty

Sabi Sands Lycaon pictus

Following Others

What Big Ears You Have!

Encircled

The Chase

Away They Go!

[Tdgraves]

@@Tom Kellie you saw the dogs! Lucky you, they had just left the traversing area into sabi sabi when we were there.....

[Tom Kellie]

Moving in unison they hunt and they look,

Sniffing for any faint chemicals which might betray,

Whatever direction their scared quarry took,

Their intelligent cunning inspires terror in their prey.

Ronald Watching Wild Dogs

Spreading Out

Advance Sentinels

Moving in the Same Direction

Regroup

Four on a Dusty Track

Opposite Viewpoints

Arrivals Lounge

Daylight Departs

Wild Dog Array

Carrying Away a Fresh Kill

[Tom Kellie]

Another detachment of wild dogs we viewed,

Lounging around the track as if it was theirs.

Unexpectedly calm, in a laid-back mood,

Surely they wouldn't be taken unawares.

Pensive Gaze

Roadside Attraction

Nose to the Ground

Wild Dog Pup

Peek-a-boo, I See You

What's Over There?

At Leisure

Off Into the Night

[Tom Kellie]

Ha! We found you, sleeping on the ground,

A pride of lions, lionesses and cubs in deep rest,

Sprawled out together, scattered around,

Even for vivacious lions, sometimes slumber is best.

Let Sleeping Lions Snore

Where Few Dare to Tread

Sleeping Pride

[Peter Connan]

Yippee indeed! Lovely wild dog series Tom, and sleeping lions too!

[Tom Kellie]

Yippee indeed! Lovely wild dog series Tom, and sleeping lions too!

 

~ @@Peter Connan

 

All that's been posted thus far was photographed during the initial game drive.

It shows why I was fully satisfied with the overall quality of the visit to Leopard Hills.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie you saw the dogs! Lucky you, they had just left the traversing area into sabi sabi when we were there.....

 

~ @@Tdgraves

 

The last thing that I expected when I arrived at Leopard Hills was a wild dog sighting.

Wild dogs and cheetah sightings weren't in my mind at all, as lions, leopards and elephants were what I'd supposed might be observed.

Yet as it turned out, wild dog and cheetah sightings were plentiful, showing how little I knew in advance.

Tom K.

[Atravelynn]

It wasn't true when I said that I had no goal,

For my heart strongly hoped to see nyala.
When I saw them, the safari was on a roll,
Leopard Hills seemed like a wildlife Valhalla!

From the unabridged companion to Tom Kellie's Leopard Hills, Sabi Sands, South Africa — October, 2015:

 

Valhalla:

In Norse Mythology,Valhalla is a huge majestic overseen by the highly revered god, Odin. Various creatures, such as the stag and goat live around Valhalla.

 

 

Nice going on the wild dog. The lions look like cards scattered about from a dropped deck.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Atravelynn

[Tom Kellie]

A small zebra herd was the morning game drive's first sight,

They surprised me with their unruffled calm, poise and grace,

Quietly grazing yet alert enough to take flight,

True horses at heart, they'd certainly win any race.

Morning Grazing

Breakfast Together

In a Mellow Tone

Bareback Rider

Confident Stance

Black, White and Green

Zebra Duo with Oxpecker

Head Shot

In the Brush

[Tom Kellie]

 

It wasn't true when I said that I had no goal,

For my heart strongly hoped to see nyala.

When I saw them, the safari was on a roll,

Leopard Hills seemed like a wildlife Valhalla!

From the unabridged companion to Tom Kellie's Leopard Hills, Sabi Sands, South Africa — October, 2015:

 

Valhalla:

In Norse Mythology,Valhalla is a huge majestic overseen by the highly revered god, Odin. Various creatures, such as the stag and goat live around Valhalla.

 

 

Nice going on the wild dog. The lions look like cards scattered about from a dropped deck.

 

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Ha! What can I say?

There's much more yet to post...

Thank you!

Tom K.

[Kitsafari]

wild dog pups!! they are adorable with their oversized ears, stuffed bellies and cute short legs.love that shot when they all walked away on the roads, with their white tipped tails in the air waving "goodbye"....

 

great that the lions were all lying so close to each other that you can take a group photo! three male lions - which pride was this, do you know @@Tom Kellie?

 

all this on one drive? wow.

[Tom Kellie]

wild dog pups!! they are adorable with their oversized ears, stuffed bellies and cute short legs.love that shot when they all walked away on the roads, with their white tipped tails in the air waving "goodbye"....

 

great that the lions were all lying so close to each other that you can take a group photo! three male lions - which pride was this, do you know @@Tom Kellie?

 

all this on one drive? wow.

 

~ @@Kitsafari

 

I never knew which pride it was. The following day they crossed the Sand River into Singita territory.

It was an opening drive to remember, yet far more was to follow.

The wild dog pups were great fun...and they would be seen again...and again!

Thank you!

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

@@Tom Kellie, I hadn't realized that this was all in the first drive! Wow.

[COSMIC RHINO]

1when I go to South Africa , I chose cheaper places and I can't really afford the expensive ones and I want to stay longer .

 

my emphasis is on the bush experience

 

I look at the overall cost of the trip and adding anything expensive with Lewa Safari camp , would make it very expensive . I love the wildlife and bush experience there

 

I have just looked at their rates , and Leopard hills is well beyond my budget

 

2 you had a great wildlife experience, whenever I have seen wild dogs they were constantly moving

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

What amazing sightings for one drive!

I love the elephants, and am very pleased you saw the nyala - I think many animals look ordinary in field guides and are much more beautiful in real life.

The dog sightings and photographs are stunning - especially the pups being fed

Excellent.

I am enjoying the poems (my first language is English but I would be unable to attempt such an approach!)

Edited December 3, 2015 by TonyQ

[elefromoz]

The sleeping Lions are great, not one is bothering to so much as open an eye for you. Your presence is apparently worthy of no attention. Love it.