Elephant Plains: Leopard Courtship
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From Brendon
When we left this morning it was quite chilly as a cold front had moved in overnight and a heavy mist hung over our world.
We searched in the mist for animals -
- and very quickly found two hyenas which made wonderful photo opportunities for us as they appeared and disappeared in the ethereal mist. Our spotlights added to the atmosphere and mystique created by the mist.
While photographing the hyenas we heard a leopard - or maybe more than one - not far away, so we decided to investigate the growling and ominous sounds of fighting.
We found the large dominant male, Tingana growling and hissing at Shadow, one of the females in the area. She was growling and hissing in return.
We realised that this courtship behaviour would continue so we remained with the couple capturing images of the snarling, mating and wandering couple. Once again the images in the mist looked really fabulous.
When the couple disappeared into the bush we went to the hyena den where one pup was playing outside. However, the cold soon sent him into the shelter of his den.
We found the mating leopards again by following their tracks and sounds. More photographs before we returned to the Lodge for breakfast.
This afternoon we headed straight back to the leopards. They were not too difficult to track, and we spent the whole time with them, photographing and following them as they continued their amorous activities.
We felt quite privileged to witness this behaviour and our photographs will be a reminder of this special encounter.
Tomorrow ? ...
Tagged in:
Brendon Cremer
Hyena
Leopard Courtship
Leopards
Mating Leopards
ODP Safaris
Wim van den Heever
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