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

[wenchy]

Beautiful python photo. Excellent trip report. Did you meet Holly, the elder english Staffordshire

[elefromoz]

That Nile Minitor is fantastic, how big was she/he? Love the swimming Croc, the reflection made it look like it had twice as many teeth!

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie - we had the same guide!!

 

~ @@Tdgraves

 

That's great!

Jehanne was my guide for the first two days, after which he went on leave.

His skills and bonhomie made for delightful game drives.

Knowing that you rode with him, I'm not surprised that you had such superb lion sightings.

I'm pinching myself that I'll return there four weeks from today!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie, what a great TR!! I would have 'liked' every single photo but my internet started to run slow half way through. The photos were fabulous and you really got to see a wide variety of animals. The cheetah and the hyena were amazing - so too the baby elephant (always just too cute) and the hippos and crocs. Very cool python photo as well as the monitor lizard! I have a thing for photographing patterns and the stripes on zebras fascinate me. I enjoyed the plant photos very much as well. I don't mean to leave 'anybody' out - it was all great. The lodge sounds.... spectacular. I guess you're looking forward to getting back there soon!

 

~ @@Abena

 

Thank you so much!

I'm especially glad that you enjoyed the plant images. I made a point to include them as they're an integral component of the overall safari experience.

I agree with you about zebra patterns, as well as patterns generally. That's one reason why I enjoy observing large reptiles which have such distinctive patterns.

There are more patterned animals yet to come, including more reptiles.

Yes, I'm eagerly anticipating my return there four weeks hence.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Hi Tom, Enjoying your trip report immensely, the plants, the verses, and of course the animals. I especially like the pictures of the pictures of the cheetah and the wilddogs. To the wild dogs feed their young, - what a treat!. It is also great to see a crocodile on the move like that rather than pretending to be a log.

 

You have captured the beauty of the Sand River area well. I too had to look up Zorilla, at first I thought the name was a joke, so I have learned from your report.

 

~ @@Terry

 

Thank you very much for your generous comments.

The initial game drives overflowed with beauty and events.

Happily, much more occurred, which is yet to be posted.

It was by far the most active Nile crocodile that I've ever seen.

The curious reality is that Zorillas are believed to be widespread, yet their nocturnal habits cause them to have one of the lowest profiles of safari animals.

In truth, I never expect to observe a Zorilla, but the thought that they're out there is the source of considerable pleasure.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Python! Oh wow, oh yes! Well done, @@Tom Kellie

 

~ @@Super LEEDS

 

Thank you !!!

I'm so pleased that you liked it.

Easily one of the most memorable sightings and photo opportunities I've ever been privileged to have.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

wow that python's eye and head was intense, and you caught its perfect balance on a thin branch outweighed by its body perfectly.

 

Love that yellow hibiscus engleri - now I've learned its name! we saw so much of it on the ground but often forgot to ask its name.

 

~ @@Kitsafari

 

I'm so pleased that you liked the python portrait.

Flowers on safari are highlights. I'm glad that you like them, too.

It's so nice of you to tell me which verses you especially appreciated.

To be mentioned alongside William Blake is an enormous compliment .

Many, many thanks!

Tom K.

[Tdgraves]

 

@@Tom Kellie - we had the same guide!!

 

~ @@Tdgraves

 

That's great!

Jehanne was my guide for the first two days, after which he went on leave.

His skills and bonhomie made for delightful game drives.

Knowing that you rode with him, I'm not surprised that you had such superb lion sightings.

I'm pinching myself that I'll return there four weeks from today!

Tom K.

@@Tom Kellie 4 weeks from today we will be driving to the Kruger. 4 weeks from yesterday and we'll be sat at the cricket.....

[PT123]

What a terrific report; you really saw a lot in five days. I really enjoyed the photos, narrative/prose (and especially appreciate the very detailed commentary). The winking cheetah is a great shot.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie 4 weeks from today we will be driving to the Kruger. 4 weeks from yesterday and we'll be sat at the cricket.....

 

~ @@Tdgraves

 

At the same time, in the same part of the continent, enjoying the same summer sunshine, seeing a few of the same bird species, if we're fortunate.

Nice to look forward to in early 2016!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

What a terrific report; you really saw a lot in five days. I really enjoyed the photos, narrative/prose (and especially appreciate the very detailed commentary). The winking cheetah is a great shot.

 

~ @@PT123

 

Thank you so much!

What I've shown are the first two game drives. There are six more game drives yet to be posted!

Lovely surprises yet to reveal, which I hope that you'll enjoy.

Tom K.

[Atravelynn]

My first South African leopard turned out to be a cheetah!

 

Not many people would be able to say that!

 

And you even poet-ized it.

 

I'm glad to read about the forest cheetah. I had wondered for a long time about the cheetahs I seen in the forested parts of Phinda. Just like the leopard, the camouflage works well in tall golden grass or forest habitat.

 

Gliding through the foliage with brazen stealth,

The male cheetah's camouflage heightened by leafy green,

[Tom Kellie]

My first South African leopard turned out to be a cheetah!

 

Not many people would be able to say that!

 

And you even poet-ized it.

 

I'm glad to read about the forest cheetah. I had wondered for a long time about the cheetahs I seen in the forested parts of Phinda. Just like the leopard, the camouflage works well in tall golden grass or forest habitat.

 

Gliding through the foliage with brazen stealth,

The male cheetah's camouflage heightened by leafy green,

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Could it be that although cheetah are primarily adapted for hunting in fairly open grassland, forested patches are a sort of backup, either to lose predators or to occasionally encounter insufficiently wary prey?

Their form and physiology is so well-suited to their typical haunts, yet the cheetah I observed in the Leopard Hills forest moved with ease as though such a habitat was literally second nature...which, in fact, it may well be.

Thank you for mentioning cheetahs in Phinda forests.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Seated for breakfast, ordering as I please,

Nature's beauty soothing the soul,

Something grazing around jackalberry trees,

Nyala near the waterhole.

Waterhole Without Conspicuous Visitors

Spring Foliage Beyond the Waterhole

A Few Steps from the Waterhole

As Seen from the Breakfast Terrace

Jackalberry Tree with Grazing Nyala

[Tom Kellie]

A breakfast, light as can be,

Passionfruit, pineapple, salmon and cheese,

Is more than ample for me.

Such delectable fare is sure to please.

Passionfruit, Pineapple, Salmon, Cheese

A Light Breakfast, by Choice

[Tom Kellie]

A breakfast guest announces “A cheetah's out there!”,

At last I spot it after scanning while squinting,

The cheetah flounces down with practiced savoir faire,

Enjoying a well-earned break from restless sprinting.

Surprise Breakfast Guest

Seated at Leisure

Ready to Move On

Off in Another Direction

[Tom Kellie]

Trachylepis quinquetaeniata,

Whose vibrant skittering I must dodge,

With colors suited for a piñata,

Adds sapphire charm to the dark-toned lodge.

Trailing Sapphire

Trachylepis quinquetaeniata

[Tom Kellie]

Small nectivorous birds are distracted,

From flying past when red blooms they spy,

To copious nectar they're attracted,

When there's such sweet food, who needs to fly?

Schotia brachypetala

[Tom Kellie]

After a morning swim, I have lunch alone,

Few others are there, preferring to rest,

The first time in years I taste filet mignon,

Fresh strawberry ice cream, one of the best!

Carrot Soup

South African Filet Mignon

Midday Repast

Strawberry Ice Cream

[Tom Kellie]

Midday in Suite #7 is languid and warm,

Fresh fruit, a swim, skinks all around.

The slow-paced rhythms to my daydreams conform,

Heaven's hideout I think I've found...

Mosaic Scales

Afternoon Fruit

What Some Won't Do for a Selfie!

[Tom Kellie]

Indifferent to plaudits or fame,

Elephants sauntered near my suite,

Friendly but definitely not tame,

Their visit quiet and discreet.

Twenty Meters Beyond the Plunge Pool

Under Surveillance While Swimming

A Wee Elephant Near My Terrace & Plunge Pool

Pachyderm Tête à Tête

Visiting While in the Neighborhood

Close, But Not Too Close

Mother and Baby in the Bush

[xelas]

A selfie stick on a safari, Tom?!

[Atravelynn]

That selfie proves you are a modern man, so my next request is not out of order.

 

You should rap your rhymes in a youtube and post it.

 

The Pachyderm Tête à Tête is more of a trunk à trunk.

 

 

This quartet is very impressive!

Trachylepis quinquetaeniata,

Whose vibrant skittering I must dodge,

With colors suited for a piñata,

Adds sapphire charm to the dark-toned lodge.

[Marks]

I like the how the trunk poking through the foliage in "Pachyderm Tête à Tête" serves as a suggestion of elephant. It's easy to imagine the trees filling up with them, all but invisible.

[Tom Kellie]

A selfie stick on a safari, Tom?!

 

~ @@xelas

 

Ha! You're right!

My selfie stick lacks the slim panache of those in current use.

Tom K.