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On photographic safari with Cindy Wheeler |
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Day 1 |
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Click on the thumbnails for a bigger pictureEvery year in August, one of our booking agents (Ann Horsman) from the USA visits South Africa. As Ann's client, Cindy joined us at this exclusive lodge in the heart of the Bushveld as part of her photographic safari. One of the very rare species that occur in this area is the Aardvark. They are however hard to spot and do not surface until last light or after dark. Prior to Cindy's trip, I promised her that we'll try and get her close enough to an Aardvark to photograph it. It became our mission to capture one during this trip.
I woke up around 3:00 am as it takes time to wind down a little bit leaving town under a lot of pressure. So, staring at the ceiling all night, waiting for the sun to rise so I can go jogging gave me a lot of time to think about things. It was very difficult to get up and not do some reading or something, I tried my best to sleep some more.
After a nice run up the road, spotting a Waterbuck, I joined the others for breakfast. It was strangely overcast and the wind was blowing. My "job" for the couple of days was to keep Cindy company, and explore the ranch for some photographic opportunities. After a lot of discussions, we decided to start our photographic expedition off by exploring the riverbed, which is completely dry at the moment.
Our first stop was the dry Lead wood tree which towers above the rest of the trees like a landmark. It is also the tree where the Fish Eagles sit most times etched against the horizon during August / September which is their mating season. There were no sign of the Fish Eagles though and we took the 5 km hike up the river.
 Along the way we mostly encountered donkeys and some cattle (called Nguni's). Being overcast and windy the animals are normally very scared to move. We did however encounter some Botswana Warthog making their way home after a drink from Chris' dam. But in general, it was all just pretty landscape and a good walk.
Along the way we mostly encountered donkeys and some cattle (called Nguni's). Being overcast and windy the animals are normally very scared to move. We did however encounter some Botswana Warthog making their way home after a drink from Chris' dam. But in general, it was all just pretty landscape and a good walk.
 We had a picnic lunch at a nice spot with some picturesque rocks. Due to the wind not settling down, I suggest to Cindy that we go to the blind closest to the lodge. There is always a lot of activity there.
Armed with some animal behavior and birding books, we settled in the blind, Cindy ready to shoot with her digital camera (I could only drool over her equipment!) and then the wait began. This time of year most game farms supplement feed in the form of Lucerne. It was not long before "Old Stupid" arrived, taking possession of the feed and the water hole.
 This is the story as to how the "Old stupid" (Sable) got his name. On my previous trip to the lodge, one of the guests noted how tame the Sable was. He started calling him "Old stupid" as this particular Sable is up for sale due to him being a trouble- maker on the breeding farm. Instead of having the "life of Riley" and lots of female attention, he was so stupid to make trouble and now ended up alone on this particular ranch. From that day onward, the Sable was known as "Old stupid".
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Self catering