Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Days 11-12 April 25-16: Leaping Leopards! and Other Stories from the Bush...




 
Hello Class: I am glad you are enjoying the blog. The top picture represents various hunting expeditions. But first I would like to point out a beautiful view of Mt. Etjo. Notice the top left picture is Mt. Etjo, a flat mountain top in the distance, and on this day it is shining under the glow of the sun. To the right you will see Rudie looking across the landscape for game. The second row left is Mr. Janes and Rudie putting on a stalk for game.

What I have discovered since being here is, Africa is full of stories. If you ask and listen carefully everyone has a rich story to tell about their lives and experiences in this beautiful land.

Now for a scary leopard story. Remember Steve? I spoke about him earlier. He has a story to tell about his encounter with a leopard. See the leopard picture underneath the first set of pictures. You might want to do some research on the African leopard. Steve and his client were pursuing an out of control leopard who was on a killing spree. The result of this hunt ended up to be one of his most terrifying experiences that left visible scars. During his pursuit, the leopard knocked Steve to the ground injuring him and then attacking  his client full on!  Both were injured, but not life-threatening. You will see in the picture above what Steve looked like the day of the attack (careful, there's blood); and then several years later the remaining scars on his arm and face to remind him that the end result could have been much worse!

Yesterday, while Mr. Janes and Rudie were out tracking, they discovered very large drag marks in the sand. They stopped their vehicle, got out and followed the marks over 300 yards!  They were amazed to discover a dead large Springbok "stashed" under" woody-thorny bushes. A leopard kill they thought. They determined by the tracks it was a young female, possibly a new mother. Just think how strong that young female leopard must of been to be able to drag a 70 lb. Springbok all that way!  It was most likely stashed to eat later when safe. However just as they were surveying  the site, they also noted several birds acting anxious nearby....

Safari Tip: Whenever birds are close together and acting a little nervous in the African bush, there may be a leopard close by.

Mr. Janes was thinking "here we are close to a leopard kill and nervous birds without my rifle and just Rudie's small handgun on his waist." Time to make a fast exit back to the vehicle!

On the bottom of the first set are the two pictures of hunters at the lodge getting ready to go out for their hunts. The first is Rudie and Mr. Janes and the second to the right is Steve, Angie and her husband, Dan (both hunters from Illinois), James (I will tell you about him below) and Steve's star dog, Rocky. He may be lying down in the picture.

The next set of pictures are about the Namibian Bushman. One of the most highly published and researched people on the planet and a very important part of the Namibian culture. James, Steve's tracker is a Bushman. You might want to look up Namibian Bushman and if you do, you might be surprised to find out the Bushman (San Tribe) are one of the most intriguing people in the world. It is estimated (and confirmed by archeologists) that the San are the region's earliest inhabitants, some over 30,000 years ago! Sans people were hunters and gathers in their earlier days; whose incredible tracking skills remain today. Their home was the vast expanse of the Kalahari desert. Notice in the picture to the right James is having some fun with a couple of found Warthog tusks.

This afternoon I plan to do Lion exploring with Mr. Janes and Rudie. I hope to see some soon. The only large animal of the region I haven't seen yet. Yesterday we had quite a surprise as Rudie's favorite elephant came down to the water hole. Remember, I told you about him yesterday? See the picture at the bottom. He lumbered on down to the water and took a very luxurious mud bath. You might want to look up why elephants like mud baths.

Answer to your question about what I miss most about home: To be able to share our wonderful experiences about Africa with our family, friends and you, in person.

Tomorrow I plan to visit the Mt. Etjo School and share your video, T-shirts and books with them. I plan to take a picture and bring a video of them back to share with you.

More later. Good luck with your testing. I know you will do well!

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