Picture of the Day: Lion Encounter on the Morning Game Drive
GUIDED MORNING GAME DRIVE
The day started at 5:00am as we prepared for our 6 o'clock departure on the sunrise game drive. We had the bush truck to ourselves as the other two guests registered for the drive apparently weren't able to make it. Big loss for them. But we buddled up (its a bit chilly here at that time of morning) and loaded into the truck.
Above: Bush Truck Ready for Departure
It was still dark as we departed, but our driver carried with him a small spotlight which he used to scan the field for the tell-tale glows of nocternial eyes. Not long into the drive we had a first game siting, a black-backed jackal that we - regretably - distrurbed from his sleep. The jackal accommodated us with a few photos and then returned to his grassy bed.
Above: Black-backed Jackal Before Sunrise on Morning Game Drive
You know you're in good hands when your guide - in the dark - stops the truck suddendly to point out a Wolf Spider the size of a quarter resting in the road. Our drive progressed and we had a few other sitings of small animals as the sun rose in the distance. As we drove along, the guide commented on how a sign warning of the danger of lions was about the only proof of lions in the park. There were only 12 in the entire reserve and he said even the guides would go three or more months between sitings. Just as he was finishing his sentence, we rounded a turn to find a young male lion resting on the side of the road. We were able to get a few quick photos before the lion rose and began leisurely strolling up the dirt trail. As we rounded the next turn, following him, we - and the guide - were thrilled to see that two others lions were resting ahead, a slightly older male and a agile-looking female.
Above: First Encounter with the Younger Male Lion
Above: Female in Road Ahead
The trio rested alongside the road for quiet some time, grooming themselves and providing us ample opportunity to taken some additional tropy shots.
Above: Young Male Lion Grooming
Above: Lion Stretching
After a bit, they rose again, and as a group and began walking up the road. Within several yards, they caught a scent and immediately moved into position to approach their prey. It was stunning to watch. The older male took the flanking position and proceeded another 25 yards up the road. The younger pair dropped in stalking position and began to slink their way in the brush. Carefully, and ever so slowly, they crept through the thicket. All of this, as we sat within yards of the younger pair. Suddendly the warning bark of the antelope broke the stillness, giving the lions away. As quickly as they had taken their hunting stance, their shoulders rose, their bodies returned fully upright and they sauntered out of the thicket and resumed their stroll, the morning meal lost.
Above: The Lions Catch Scent of Their Prey
Above: Older Male Taking Position
Above: Young Pair Move Into the Thicket
Finally, the lions made their way once again up the road, we pulled around them and left them in peace.
Above: The Lions Departing
Above: Female Locks Eyes with Becky as We Pass
AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
Later in the afternoon, we returned to the game area in our rental car and began searching out more critters.
Again, we weren't disappointed.
The most prominent creatures in the park - and the symbol of the South African National Park System, SANPark - is the Kudu Antelope. Earlier in the morning our guide had told us that the antelope were actually too numerous in the park, as they are easily able to jump the perimeter fencing. He said he thought there were approximately 2000 Kudu antelope in the park and we're pretty sure we saw all of them today. But they're very photogenic, nonetheless.
Above: Kudu Antelope
We had a number of encounters with the Burchells Zebra. Unlike the Cape mountain zebra we posted earlier this week, this zebra is unique in that every other stripe is brown rather than black.
Above: Burchells Zebras
We were also on the look out for the dung beetle, as Becky had been carefully avoiding the elephant dung on the road as instructed by the park. Sure enough, on one ... pile ... sat a dung beetle.
Above: The Dung Beetle
A number of times, a warthog would go zipping through our scene, but we were unable to catch him on film. It became a mission of ours to track the guy down. Finally, we found one near the road and were able to take a couple of shots.
Above: Finally, an Encounter with a Warthog!
Of course, the trip to Addo Elephant National Park would not have been complete without viewing an elephant, but it was surprisingly difficult to see one up close. Finally, near the end of our drive, we came across a pair at a watering hole.
Above: Elephant Leaving the Watering Hole
And that was our excursion to Addo. Well worth the drive.
Tomorrow we head to Kruger National Park by way of a flight from Port Elizabeth. We'll be staying in Nelspruit tomorrow night, which is a gateway to the Park.
We're hoping our game sitings in Kruger will be just as exciting.
Stay tuned.
Becky & Rachel
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