No morning obs today
either, though we did get out yesterday morning. Getting up at 5am was not very
hard at all and it was wonderful to be out at dawn with the sunrise coming up
over the mara. I am quickly learning to differentiate the different
individuals, already I am picking up on what are typical spot patterns and coloration
so that I can recognize when an animal has something distinctive. I have about
five of the North cubs down and though I don’t know if I could recognize an
individual on its own, I could differentiate between the adult females (5)
at Happy Zebra den last night. Which by the way I got to do the driving!
Finally put me behind the wheel in one of the more forgiving vehicles. Only new
things to remember is to let the engine coil warm up for a moment before
starting (diesel) and how to handle four wheel drive. Also driving in much
lower gears than I am used to, when off-roading and going through difficult
sections it is normal to stay in first gear.
Happy Zebra den is way off in the
grass much farther than the north den and driving through the grass is a bit
nerve-wracking, you can just barely follow the tracks left previously though
the 3 ft. high grass. Close to 8 it started to rain and we turned around to
head back and driving through the tall grass IN THE RAIN was crazy not knowing
the area. But Dave assured me we would hit the tracks we came in on and he was
right. I know I’ll get a feel for the land pretty quickly, but if I get lost I
have no Yukon to correct me!
It’s been off and on rainy and sunny, cool and
hot, the temperature was ok last night even with all the rain we got but we
didn’t attempt to go out this morning. The driveway was horrendous last night
and I did almost get stuck. I’m already falling in love with the hyenas, they
are absolutely fascinating and beautiful creatures and I’ve started reading a
scanned copy of a hyena textbook. Also reading a book on the behavioral ecology
of African mammals, the text they use to teach the study abroad course for
undergrads that comes out every summer. (In addition to reading Guns, Germs,
and Steel on the kindle on this computer, and my hard copy of architecture of
the mind that Christina lent me.) None of these books are fiction ha ha! Though
some of them are less and more fact heavy.
Still haven’t seen any
lion, leopard, or cheetah, but I’m sure I will before the year is out! Still
highly enjoying the stunning rolling landscapes and beautiful escarpment just
filled with game. It is thought that the hyenas have a pretty easy life here,
the mara is lush.
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