Chapter 31:
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!
Part One
If you're in Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya, if you're in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, you don't get out of your vehicle and go walking around amid the lions and the leopards. You stay in your Land Rover. You stay in your safari van, and you look out the windows or you look out the pop top at these animals. I know by experience how badly that can work out if you violate those guidelines.
-David Quammen
I understand immediately when we arrive! On the ground next to a large tree, partially surrounded by a crescent of safari vehicles with big camera lens poking out their sides, are the leopard Nalang'u and her son. Not only on the ground in plain sight, but playing with each other!
We are in the perfect place at the perfect time. Other vehicles are in front of us in a semi-circle and I think their view isn't as great as ours. Last evening we saw a little of the two leopards with a gazelle she had caught.
Slowly the sun casts a warmer light on the duo and as we watch.
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| A short break to check out the newcomers. |
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| Back in the shade again. |
And then, up the tree they go for naps.
More vehicles arrive and we have to leave the area for a while as there are regulations regarding how many vehicles can be at a sighting.
We park in a place where we can see the tree where the leopards nap. Suddenly Nalang'u climbs down and heads our way. She is heading uphill where she spotted a warthog family.
Francis hurries us uphill from her and parks so we can see the possible hunt.
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Nalang'u is almost hidden by the tall grass but the warthogs spot her and run. Suddenly, she changes direction and speeds our way. One of the piglets was separated from the others and is beside us the grass.     I see signs of a tussle and the leopard   She hides in the brush to consume it. Meanwhile, Francis sees that there are fewer vehicles at the tree where the young leopard is and he takes us there. Shortly, Junior starts down the tree with what's left of the gazelle carcass. Leopards, with their strong jaws and forequarters, can climb a tree with a killed prey three times their weight. Though the smallest of Africa's big cats, they are the strongest.     "I wonder why there aren't any vultures around, " I say. "No way, " says Francis. "The leopard would have them for dessert." Oh.  Taking a breather.   There isn't much left, but he isn't going anywhere without it.  |
After all, a gazelle in the jaws is worth two in the savannah.
***
Is. that enough excitement for one post?
Just wait. It's only 7:30 in the morning and the safari day has just begun.
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| Fawn-colored lark. |
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| Yellow-throated longclaw |
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| Gray-headed kingfisher |
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| Silver bird |