It's that time of the year folks and the bushveld baby-boom has arrived!
Being a special occasion on its own is not enough for the bush and what it has to offer...in turn this booming time of the year offers the predators of the African bush an all you can eat buffet...and it comes in bite sizes at that!
On an afternoon game drive this past week we specifically headed out looking for our endangered big cat, the cheetah. So there is no better place to start looking for them than our wetlands area.
With some luck on our side we found the 4 boys!
Finding the four boys is always a treat, they are completely relaxed around the vehicle and they always keep us enthralled with suspense when we do find them...
The cats looked like they were doing what they do best, relaxing and grooming one another when suddenly one of the boys sat up straight and looked keenly ahead...
Being the fastest land mammal of all, it always happens very quickly, the hunt!
The boy that was sitting up suddenly took off at lighting speed with his 3 brothers hot on his tail!
The hunt is on!
Not even 100 meters away, right in front of our vehicle, they snatched up a new born Impala that lay concealed in the long green grass, probably hoping not to be discovered by a hungry big cat!
In the few minutes that it took us to reposition the vehicle in a favourable position for our keen photographers, they had nearly finished off what was obviously just a snack for the 4 of them!
We eagerly sat and watched in awe how these frail looking beasts can be so efficient at providing a hearty meal for themselves.
As they lay there licking themselves clean, looking very smug in their success, a different herd of Impala started snorting ahead. This is an alarm call when there is danger in the near vicinity...
It can't be...is what we thought...
Moments later the four boys were off again and managed to take down another bite size Impala!
In the space of about 30 minutes we got to see the awesomeness of the life cycle in the African bush at its fullest glory!
Beauty and cruelty all rolled into one! The African bush always seems to amaze here at Amakhosi!
