Wild Ruff & Tumble
Published by Wildcaster 9 hours, 32 minutes ago 0 Comments Tags: adventure, africa, african, african birds, animal, animal kingdom, animals, bird, birding, birding african birds, birds, buffalo, bush, bush knowledge, clouds scenic, documentary, experience, experience adventure, film, filmaker, filmmaker, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, hyaenas, hyena, impala, lion, lions, narrowcasting, photo, photos, predators, puppy, vultures, wild dogs, wildcast, wilderness, wildlife, zimbabwe.The sun was beginning to set and I was itching to see if we would have any Hyaena action at the Buffalo kill. There were Hyaena tracks circling the area yesterday morning, but it seemed they were a bit weary to go into the thick bush with the Lions around.
Well, we got to the Buffalo to find a flock of vultures waiting to have a go at the carcass, I don’t know what they were waiting for because there was no sign of the lions – a little odd, and there were no Hyaena.
This morning I inspected Sosigi Dam for any activity, and then I got a message relayed to me about the position of the Wild Dogs. So, from one side of the reserve to the other, I went in search of the dogs. The whole area around Bandama pan and Chibi is still full of little marshlands and the roads haven’t been used there for a few weeks. Circling in like an Eagle on its prey, I narrowed the gap between the dogs and I. When I had a lock on the dogs I took a chance through some dodgy looking ravine and found them chilling under some small Mopane trees. I followed suite and relaxed with them for a good hour before they got a little inquisitive and playful – that’s the dogs for you, they are pure eat, sleep and play.
I left the dogs to take it easy for all those out there who had work to do. Along the eastern fence line I found an Impala with his leg stuck in the fence, so carefully I had to find the wire holding him and give it the chop. I don’t know how long he was there for, but he limped off with his leg unable to bend – that was my Good Samaritan task for the day.
Share Wildcast with the world: 
Paralyzing Sunday
Published by Wildcaster 1 day, 13 hours ago 4 Comments Tags: africa, african birds, animal, animal kingdom, bird, birding, birding african birds, buffalo, bush, bush knowledge, caterpillar, cobra, eagles, film, filmmaker, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, impala, jackal, kill, lion, manyari, snake, thread waisted wasps, wasp, wildlife, zebra elephant, zimbabwe.
I’ve been quite fired up by the enthusiasm of the “Bundu Boys”, Jono and Garry from the Big 5 Challenge, who are on the property at the moment. Every little insect must get explored and every bird species identified.
I must also mention that it was Kim’s birthday party last night. This was a very civilized braai, or barbeque if you like, set up in the bush on a hill – what a grand occasion!
I managed to get some footage on a species of thread-waisted wasps, which hunt caterpillars and drag them to their nests in the ground. I don’t want say too much to give it away, so watch the movie clip. Every part of creation is just so meticulously designed, an undeniable masterpiece!
This morning my wife and I were out at 5:30 am after getting home after 2 am – talk about commitment. We headed down to Nyari pan and found two big old bull elephants. It’s great to be seeing the elephants more often. Banyini pan proved to deliver when the impala congregated on the huge anthill to chase off a Black-backed Jackal. Two male Impala then proceeded to spar and test each others strength.
Time to check up on the Buffalo kill, only to find Manyari in the exact same spot more than 24 hours later! The maggots are starting to take over the buffalo carcass and the stench is paralyzing.
It was time to head back, but blocking the road was a Mozambique Spitting Cobra. There was no slowing down for this big guy and before he could rear up fully he had to take cover. It’s the end of another week and its time to recuperate.
Share Wildcast with the world:
Birds for Africa
Published by Wildcaster 2 days, 9 hours ago 2 Comments Tags: adventure, africa, african, african birds, animal, animal kingdom, animals, billed, bird, birding, birding african birds, birds, bush, bush knowledge, conservation, documentary, film, filmaker, giraffe, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, groups, lion, lions, malilangwe, manyari, Manyari gonarezhou, mushroom, oxpecker, pan, peace parks, photo, photos, predators, video, wildcast, wildebeest, wildlife, wildlife documentary, zimbabwe.
After pulling myself out of a “coma” this morning, I’ve realized what a good nights sleep can do for a person.
I headed for Banyini pan and had a chilled morning observing the bird life. There is so much activity from African Jacanas, Blacksmith Lapwing (Plover), and Wood Sandpiper to Pied Kingfishers.
When you park in one place for a while, you kind of become part of the surroundings and life in the bush carries on as normal. Two male impalas were comfortable enough to be having a match up, although it seemed it was more of a practice run than anything.
Back to the Buffalo kill and Manyari was so fat that she could hardly breathe again. Late yesterday afternoon, Magwaza had come down to help rip the carcass apart. It is now minus all the entrails and the entire area has that familiar putrid stench. Manyari has taken cover some hundred meters away under a low hanging acacia tree, I don’t think she could move if she wanted to.
At sunset yesterday we caught up with Kim following the Dogs heading south, it’s impossible to stick with them through the Mopani Trees so we let them carry on.
Hwata pan has been an area of neglect due to its accessibility, but after two days break from heavy rains, I wanted to give it a try. Hwata pan was quiet apart from a Black Rhino on route. I continued letting the birding day unfold and enjoyed much activity.
Share Wildcast with the world:
Cricles in the Sand - Buffalo kill: video
Published by Wildcaster 3 days, 9 hours ago 3 Comments Tags: adventure, africa, african, animal, animal kingdom, animals, bird, birding, birding african birds, buffalo, buffalo stampede, bush, bush knowledge, Carmen Bee Eater, documentary, experience, film, filmaker, filmmaker, game, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, groups, lion, lions, malilangwe, Malilangwe narrowcasting, manyari, Manyari gonarezhou, marabou stork, predators, wildcast, wildcasting, wildebeest, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife documentary, zebra, zimbabwe.I set out this morning wanting to cover some distance and get a lock on those dogs; however, I was sidetracked when I picked up Manyari’s signal. She was roaring yesterday at sunset and we could hear her from our house just up from Malilangwe dam. I had seen her tracks coming out of the hills, but only to find her going into some dense vegetation. It is difficult to tell just how thick and accessible the forest actually is. Anyway, if you’re getting to know me, you’ll know what I was thinking, “Oh well, let’s just do it.”
I had not gone 500 meters and found Manyari on a Buffalo kill. She hadn’t even begun feeding on the large buffalo cow and Manyari was panting like she had just finished suffocating it. No sign of the males and Manyari was still looking pretty full – hey, these lions are doing their own thing!
One last swing past Banyini and Nyari Pan was the order of the day, to let the photos tell the story and I’m hoping to catch the wild dogs later in the afternoon.
Kim found the dogs resting in the hills earlier in the day. Kim is enjoying a few days off, but one can’t seem to keep him out of the bush!
Share Wildcast with the world:
Recent Comments