Antelope, birds .... and baboon raid!
Saturday 11th September, 2004Remember the river next to our camp ? These
Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) decided to regale us with a little
wheeze-honking early last night before they began their nocturnal meandering.
Fortunately they didn't visit our camp but chose another route. They
are the noisiest animals in the bush, and if you don't know what it is,
it can be a pretty frightening sound.
This Saddle-billed Stalk (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) tried to hide behind this termite hill, but I think forgot about his gaudy colour scheme, making him visible for miles.
Our old friend, 'Bill' the Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) was the most common visitor to the campsite throughout the day, and were remarkably 'tame', coming to within 10 feet of us on many an occasion.
Sadly we didn't see any big Gnu or Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) herds. In fact, besides the occasional lone one, the biggest group we even saw was about 12. The veterinary fences in Botswana have wrecked havoc with the migratory herds, killing many thousands. It may have helped limit foot and mouth and other bovine diseases, but it certainly cut right across migratory paths of many millennia.
This solitary Bushbuck doe (Tragelaphus scriptus) was being true to her nature, as Bushbuck seldom seek out the company of others. They are edge of forest animals and fairly shy. Remarkably good swimmers and jumpers but often freeze when disturbed to avoid detection, rather than fleeing.
The Red Lechwe (Kobus leche) is closely related to the Waterbuck and is easily habituated to humans. It is often found in close association with game lodges, as is gaining protection from predators that are more wary of humans. This male who was contentedly munching away was a long way from any civilization though.
Somehow Ross, my oldest, drew the short straw for clean-up when we arrived back at the camp site. We had made the mistake of doing a game spotting drive today in one vehicle, opting to leave the other behind, tents all pitched. The baboons had made a surprise raid, and although all the zips were secured, and food boxes packed away, they had vented their spleen, and other odious substances all over the two tents. I'm really glad we had chosen to drive our vehicle, leaving our tents un-anointed!
I thought we would get to travel on Mokoros today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow, for now we will spend another night at 3rd Bridge.
[Complete Safari and wildlife photo index]
This Saddle-billed Stalk (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) tried to hide behind this termite hill, but I think forgot about his gaudy colour scheme, making him visible for miles.
Our old friend, 'Bill' the Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) was the most common visitor to the campsite throughout the day, and were remarkably 'tame', coming to within 10 feet of us on many an occasion.
Sadly we didn't see any big Gnu or Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) herds. In fact, besides the occasional lone one, the biggest group we even saw was about 12. The veterinary fences in Botswana have wrecked havoc with the migratory herds, killing many thousands. It may have helped limit foot and mouth and other bovine diseases, but it certainly cut right across migratory paths of many millennia.
This solitary Bushbuck doe (Tragelaphus scriptus) was being true to her nature, as Bushbuck seldom seek out the company of others. They are edge of forest animals and fairly shy. Remarkably good swimmers and jumpers but often freeze when disturbed to avoid detection, rather than fleeing.
The Red Lechwe (Kobus leche) is closely related to the Waterbuck and is easily habituated to humans. It is often found in close association with game lodges, as is gaining protection from predators that are more wary of humans. This male who was contentedly munching away was a long way from any civilization though.
Somehow Ross, my oldest, drew the short straw for clean-up when we arrived back at the camp site. We had made the mistake of doing a game spotting drive today in one vehicle, opting to leave the other behind, tents all pitched. The baboons had made a surprise raid, and although all the zips were secured, and food boxes packed away, they had vented their spleen, and other odious substances all over the two tents. I'm really glad we had chosen to drive our vehicle, leaving our tents un-anointed!
I thought we would get to travel on Mokoros today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow, for now we will spend another night at 3rd Bridge.
[Complete Safari and wildlife photo index]
