Early Green Season in Drought stricken Northern Botswana; Tracking Wild Dogs and cheetah; Sting of the blister beetle; Thrilling Wild dog hunts ; A million laughs - yet another Kwando Safari !!!! December 2023

[Bush dog]

Hi Hari,

 

I also think it's a dark chanting goshawk.  I like the picture of the lions drinking but in my opinion It wouls be better if you crop the upper third???

I guess Spencer is still doing well.

[madaboutcheetah]

7 minutes ago, Bush dog said:

Hi Hari,

 

I also think it's a dark chanting goshawk.  I like the picture of the lions drinking but in my opinion It wouls be better if you crop the upper third???

I guess Spencer is still doing well.

@Bush dog.... Thanks a lot for the feedback, Mike ... I will try that tomorrow and re post. Much appreciated !!!! Yes, he’s in good form ... Thanks 

[madaboutcheetah]

A quick edit for @Bush dog........ Mike, what do you think? 

[madaboutcheetah]

The Holy Pride - Lagoon ......  They are ruled by a 3 male coalition

[madaboutcheetah]

Still Lagoon ...

 

The Cheetah brothers being lazy ....

 

Lagoon Pack of Wild Dog - Currently a pack of 10!! Only one sighting of them - they disappeared into the mopane.  

[Bush dog]

Yes Hari, it's much better.  The composition of the photo is better balanced as well like in your other lions and dogs at a waterhole pictures.  But on your side, do you find it too?

[madaboutcheetah]

I think it's much better too, Mike - Thank You !! 

[madaboutcheetah]

My only viewable leopard from the Trip -  At lagoon, of course ........ 

 

A very relaxed female leopard - Her Cubs were in the thicket and she came out for some sun .......  No decent pics of the cubs, although we were able to get a look! 

[janzin]

ah she posed nicely for you! We saw her too, and one of her cubs, but not as well. Great shots!

 

And I didn't realize you saw the dogs at Lagoon...we were told they weren't around...but I guess you were there a few days before us.

Edited January 9 by janzin

[madaboutcheetah]

3 hours ago, janzin said:

ah she posed nicely for you! We saw her too, and one of her cubs, but not as well. Great shots!

 

And I didn't realize you saw the dogs at Lagoon...we were told they weren't around...but I guess you were there a few days before us.

@janzin...... yes, the dogs popped up my second day.  However, when we were at lebala I heard that the dogs were seen in lagoon again and maybe a different pack ??? I assumed you saw them ....

 

[janzin]

6 minutes ago, madaboutcheetah said:

@janzin...... yes, the dogs popped up my second day.  However, when we were at lebala I heard that the dogs were seen in lagoon again and maybe a different pack ??? I assumed you saw them ....

 

Nope, we didn't see any dogs until we got to Splash. Not for lack of trying!  I remember now, we were told one vehicle saw the dogs very briefly at Lagoon but they ran into the mopane and they were not re-found.

[madaboutcheetah]

Just a quick post for today ......

 

Whenever I'm in Lagoon - I make at least one visit up north to Kwena lagoon (crocodile lagoon - translation) ...... It's only ideal during peak dry season so really not much happening in terms of game, but, we did see "Howard" the old boy crocodile at Second lagoon en route to Kwena.  Spent some time with the Hippo pod also. 

[Peter Connan]

Howard has been well trained!

Not many crocks pose that well for visitors.

Love the shot of the Giraffe running through the water.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks  a lot @Peter Connan- Indeed!! I'm told he is approximately 40 years old or thereabouts so has seen many a vehicle and is mostly only seen when things are really dry. 

[madaboutcheetah]

Bit of a break from this report .... We've had a long weekend here for the pongal holidays!!! Will be back to editing soon ..... Stay tuned! 

[madaboutcheetah]

Here goes ...... Rounding up some of the images of the dogs (including my fav in the pack - the best hunter!!) 

[madaboutcheetah]

Kwara's cuties ...... They came out on my last morning to say Goodbye.... 

Edited January 17 by madaboutcheetah

[madaboutcheetah]

A couple of random images to close out this report ..... Thank You all for following this report and keeping me motivated through the editing!! 

[AndrewB]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous - jealous!!!!!

(and thanks for sharing)

[janzin]

awesome stuff...love those cutie cheetah cubbies! I'll catch up to you in about a month at the rate my report is going, lol.

 

It was great fun to meet you on this trip!!

[michael-ibk]

Thanks for spoiling us with your beautiful photos Hari. Another great Kwando trip for you! 

[jeffb]

Love those cheetah cubs!

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks a lot @AndrewB@janzin @michael-ibk @jeffb

[Zubbie15]

Thanks for sharing @madaboutcheetah, great photos at always. Between you and Janet it really makes me want to go. Unfortunately the lack of wifi is a no-go for my wife and her work, so probably not anytime soon. 

[madaboutcheetah]

@Zubbie15- Thanks a lot.

 

WIFI - They are rolling it shortly in all camps.  The pilot trials are ongoing in Kwara atm and it worked brilliantly when I was there ........  I'm told their plan is to roll it at all their camps before the upcoming High Season, so it will be there soon!! 

 

In-room only - so, if offends anyone .... they are welcome to stay off the grid. 

Edited January 18 by madaboutcheetah