November 28, 2013

Orpen Rest Camp.  Thanksgiving Day, at 2045.

Just a quick note tonight.  Tired…

The word ‘awesome’ is so overused today that it’s largely lost its meaning.  But today was just awesome.  We took a short drive this morning, but encountered cheetahs (which I couldn’t photograph) and two sets of lions (which I could).  We then packed up to leave Satara, had breakfast and hit the road again.  We started with more elephant fun.  But the thing that had been missing, and which I’d begun to accept wasn’t going to happen, was a leopard encounter.  I’ve always been very lucky at Kruger and had never gone this long without a leopard encounter. We took S125, which is a narrow gravel road through thick brush and there she was, draped over a branch in plain view.  She was beautiful and allowed us to be in her presence and photograph her for a few moments before she slipped down the backside of the tree, and quickly disappeared into the bush.  We found her and had her all to ourselves for a few moments.  Those are truly the best moments here.

Later on the same drive, Gina spotted a sable.  The sable may be the prettiest antelope in Africa. The male is just stunning.  We got a quick glimpse of him but by the time I could turn around and go back we couldn’t find him.  On the third pass by, we saw him again but as soon as he realized we were looking for him, he was gone in a flash.  No photos (a pity) but a great find.  Sables are rare in the Park and I know that Oscar, the ranger who’d taken us on the bush walk at Letaba, had never seen one.  We’ve seen them twice on this trip.  Very lucky.

Then a tawny eagle being confronted by a group of helmeted guinea fowl (now what was that about?) and finally we closed the day with a sighting of a martial eagle with a warthog piglet.  Martial eagles are I believe Africa’s largest eagles and they’re a damned imposing sight. 

All in all, an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving Day.

Tomorrow we sleep in, pack and head out the gate toward Johannesburg.  We’ve decided not to try and get a last drive in.  We wanted to not feel rushed or stressed and so we said our goodbyes tonight.  I’m very sorry to leave but am anxious to see my daughter Aislin.  We’ve both really missed her.  So mixed feelings really.  Sad to leave the beauty here behind.  Happy at the prospect of seeing Aislin and the cats.  I just wish the bush wasn’t so far away….

I’m so grateful to my boss Rick for letting me take three weeks off and very grateful to my team for carrying the weight so we could get away and go.  I’m very lucky and for all of that, I have many reasons to be thankful on this day of thanksgiving.