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

[Tom Kellie]

Traces of life have a beauty all their own,

Colors, textures, patterns in profuse diversity.

Termite tree trunk markings in a reddish tone,

Show insect engineering done with intensity.

On a Tree Trunk

[Tom Kellie]

A big long sigh and a small tear, too,

The vanquished hyena flops down in repose,

After failing, there's nothing left to do,

Far better days will come, one has to suppose.

Foiled Again...by a Cheetah!

Hyena Resting Near a Termite Mound

Soulful Hyena

Wrinkled Brow

[Marks]

 

Poor old Crocuta crocuta, spotted and strong,

You're as worthy a predator as any others out there,

Often you're treated as if you'd done something wrong,

If I too were a spotted hyena I'd think that's unfair.

 

My new favorite piece of verse in this thread.

 

Beautiful cheetah, too, with a striking amount of fur on its stomach.

[Tom Kellie]

Dark russet fur on the young buffalo's hide,

Stands out from the adults' darker tones,

Wandering away off from its mama's side,

Ceaselessly grazing, not skin and bones.

Unbossed

Polished Boss

A Russet Tinge

African Buffalo Childhood

Softly Furred

Too Close for Comfort

Along for the Ride

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

Poor old Crocuta crocuta, spotted and strong,

You're as worthy a predator as any others out there,

Often you're treated as if you'd done something wrong,

If I too were a spotted hyena I'd think that's unfair.

 

My new favorite piece of verse in this thread.

 

Beautiful cheetah, too, with a striking amount of fur on its stomach.

 

~ @@Marks

 

I'm so pleased that you liked it.

Thank you for telling me.

Due to “red alert” severe smog where I live, I'm indoors all day.

That affords time to post-process, label and upload safari photographs, as well as for composing verse.

The male cheetah was healthy and vigorous — almost certainly well-fed.

Tom K.

[Marks]

 

Due to “red alert” severe smog where I live, I'm indoors all day.

I have just seen this smog alert on the news - what a change from being in the open air on safari! Stay safe and healthy.

[Tom Kellie]

Kringgat or “circle-bottom” is such an apt name,

For waterbucks flashing their “follow me” sign.

Perhaps over the eons their bright ring became,

Their own characteristic graphic design.

Spring Foliage

Kringgat

‘Follow Me’ Sign

[xelas]

@@Tom Kellie

 

To get the idea of how close have you been to the animals, which lens did you use for the photos of this day?

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

 

To get the idea of how close have you been to the animals, which lens did you use for the photos of this day?

 

~ @@xelas

 

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II.

Tom K.

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

I also think that hyenas are unfairly thought of! - so good to see you express this in verse.

Great sighting of the hyena with the cheetah -and unusual to see the cheetah in such a forested area.

I saw information about your red alert smog - so look after yourself.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

I also think that hyenas are unfairly thought of! - so good to see you express this in verse.

Great sighting of the hyena with the cheetah -and unusual to see the cheetah in such a forested area.

I saw information about your red alert smog - so look after yourself.

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

Thank you so much for your kind comments and for thinking of the severe air pollution situation where I live.

Hyenas have moments of considerable charm. As several of the images may suggest, there's often a certain wistful air about individual hyenas who aren't actively hunting.

It was unprecedented in my limited safari experience to share more than half an hour with a cheetah, entirely within the precincts of a forest.

The cheetah seemed at home there, agilely moving over and around potential obstacles with well-honed skill.

I'm happy to say that there's more of interest yet to post in this trip report.

The smog today was grim from morning until nightfall. Lower-level schools are closed, automobiles are on an every other day license plate system.

I've remained indoors, working and preparing the next installments for this trip report.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[xelas]

WoW!

 

 

@@Tom Kellie

 

To get the idea of how close have you been to the animals, which lens did you use for the photos of this day?

 

~ @@xelas

 

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II.

Tom K.

 

 

 

WoW ! Touching distance, almost.

[Tom Kellie]

First in Kenya's Meru, now in Sabi Sands,

I've met you, my reptilian friend.

A Nile Monitor surely understands,

On camouflage one's life may depend.

Varanus niloticus in a Lake-side Bush

Nile Monitor in Sabi Sands

Turning Within Its Hideout

[Tom Kellie]

WoW!

 

WoW ! Touching distance, almost.

 

~ @@xelas

 

Yes, that's the way it was.

We approached most wildlife at a respectful distance, yet near enough to discern morphological details with the unaided eye.

The delightful, reliable, very fast focusing EF 200mm f/2.8L II telephoto lens was a workhorse on many game drives, as it has been during safaris in Kenya.

With the 200mm lens mounted on the camera, there are no concerns over image quality, as it has so often saved me from my own amateurish clumsiness.

Staying at Leopard Hills was a deep pleasure every day, and on all game drives. I have very limited interest in visiting unfamiliar locations or in seeking out rare species.

My predilection is to observe species I've seen before, with the possibility of seeing more keenly.

As @@hannahcat wrote in post #101, viewing nature is inherently a fractal process, all the way down to the underlying biological macromolecules and sub-atomic particles.

Therefore seeing familiar species in a familiar setting is my idea of great fun. The 200mm telephoto lens facilitates sharing such close range encounters with others.

I'm so pleased that you liked the photos taken with the lens.

Thank you for your comment.

Tom K.

Edited December 8, 2015 by Tom Kellie

[optig]

Those photos of a monitor lizard are just incredible. You have the ability to outdo even yourself.

[Tom Kellie]

Those photos of a monitor lizard are just incredible. You have the ability to outdo even yourself.

 

~ @@optig

 

You've made my week!

Thank you for such a generous comment.

It was a remarkable sighting, even more so because of the reason we'd stopped, which will be shown in the next post.

As you're a safari veteran and Africa resident, your kind support means a lot to me.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Oh grand, oh glorious Python natalensis,

Full of youthful vigor resting on a limb.

Against your embrace there aren't any defenses,

No matter whether you're a her or a him.

Python natalensis

Resting on a Tree Branch

Young African Rock Python

Exquisite Balance

Sabi Sands Python

[pomkiwi]

I'm really enjoying this TR. Lovely shots of the python as well as the lizard earlier.

[Tom Kellie]

What's a decent safari without a dragonfly?

Little changed for eons having mastered flight,

Dragonflies rest on land and fly up high in the sky,

Superbly equipped with phenomenal sight.

Resting on the Surface

Telephoto Image of a Leopard Hills Dragonfly

[Tom Kellie]

I'm really enjoying this TR. Lovely shots of the python as well as the lizard earlier.

 

~ @@pomkiwi

 

Thank you very much for your encouraging comment!

The python and the monitor lizard were within a few meters of each other, keeping my camera shutter clicking.

It was a cool, overcast morning, thus both were moderately sluggish.

I'm so pleased that you're enjoying this trip report.

Tom K.

[optig]

We are all enjoying your trip report, to put it mildly.

[Tom Kellie]

We are all enjoying your trip report, to put it mildly.

 

~ @@optig

 

I'm moved by your highly encouraging comment.

Thank you.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

While parked for a short break a starling flies near,

Iridescent indigo of the darkest hue,

Burchell's Starling is endemic around here,

Dazzling our eyes with its vivid, electric blue.

Burchell's Starling

Lamprotornis australis

[Tom Kellie]

An African Fish Eagle perches in solitude,

Its distinctive plumage unmistakable,

Perpetually vigilant is its attitude,

Highly skilled with confidence unshakeable.

Looking Over the Pond

African Fish Eagle Perched on a Snag

[Tom Kellie]

Brightening the lowveld with its pale yellow bloom,

Hibiscus engleri isn't easily seen,

It grows low to the ground, not taking up much room,

A cup-like flower both beautiful and serene.

Hibiscus Bloom

Hibiscus engleri