The Leopard's Tale - January 2011
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I trust everyone has had a wonderful Holiday Season, we certainly have. We have had a fantastic holiday season, or 'silly-season' as we call it, with delightful guests and a wedding to boot. We had the privilege in sharing with Leanne and Simons special day on the 29th of December, what a way to see out the year.
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| We wish you all a prosperous 2011 and look forward in sharing our little piece of heaven with you each month. We also have another great announcement, one which we are very proud of! We have been notified by the AA that we have been awarded our Superior Accommodation status with them. In addition we have also been noted as 1 of the 13 most Remarkable Game Reserve's in South Africa by 'Discover South Africa'. Check it out – Here |
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OUR RESERVE
The past month has been another memorable one for many reasons. Good conditions in the area means that animals are flourishing and many unexpected sightings of various kinds are had on a regular basis. Colors are still abundant with fruiting Grevia, Sour plum and various fig species and flowering acacia's also all around. Birding has been especially good and has delivered some really interesting sightings, surely due in part to the continued good rainfall the area has been enjoying. These are just some of the highlights of a few intriguing past weeks.
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Elephant
The opening of even more space for the elephants recently has meant that the past few weeks have been unprecedented for us in the frequency of elephant sightings. For about three weeks the breeding herd as well as a large bull was encountered almost every single day. Activity seems to have been centered around previously unutilized areas of the Msunduze , with large Sycamore figs being the target of many of these giants. Large open plains with succulent grass and ample water have seen the elephants really enjoy staying around the south. There are various sub-adult females and several infants and it is really wonderful to have the opportunity to view these largest of land mammals so up close and personal!
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Predator & Scavenger Sightings
With our guides continuously exploring new routes and possibilities, there have been a myriad of exciting new discoveries. Many jackal sightings were recorded. Several dens have also been discovered and we have seen pairs with very young pups on numerous occasions. Sightings of spotted hyena were also up on usual. A two male cheetah coalition was also active in the eastern plains and were found once on a common reedbuck kill being seriously harassed by a very unhappy large solitary buffalo. Leopard sightings continue the trend. I had a good, if brief, sighting of a gorgeous sub-adult possibly searching for warthog prey as it emerged from a drainage pipe beneath the road as we were about to cross it. This could possibly be one of the youngsters that has split from its mother a while ago already. |
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Buffalo
Although underestimated by many, you can't help but be enthralled by these beasts when you drive your vehicle into the middle of a herd of 25 tons of muscle and hooves.
It is not unheard of to encounter up to three herds in a single drive and almost every drive has the possibility of delivering good sightings of the most underappreciated member of the "Big 5". The abundance of grass means it has also been a good calving period for the buffalo and there are many young around.
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Other sightings of note
The calving season is in full swing which means there are hundreds of little infants gracing the reserve.
Large nursery herds of impala with pint-sized young as well as even smaller warthog young are present all around.
A lot of zebra young are also to be found in the more recently burnt short-grass areas. We eagerly await the arrival of the young blue wildebeest.
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OUR ENVIRONMENT
Each month we take a look at something that we find in our environment, whether it be a Tree, Bird or Animal, this month we look at the :-
Golden Pipit
Golden Pipit (Tmetothylacus tenellus)
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The Golden Pipit, is this is an extremely sought after bird for most Southern African birders with only a handful of records. This particular Bird is a Vagrant to South Africa, and for the Southern Africa bird "listers" this is a top bird for the collection. |
The Golden Pipit was first seen on Monday, 06 December 2010 @ 10h25 by Dominic, Patrick Rollinson and Andre Bernon, who were birding in the Area. There is a Web site for Rare Birds that anyone is able to subscribe to, in order to be Alerted when one of these rarities is located. Dominic, Patrick & Andre phoned through to Trevor Hardaker at the SA Rare Bird News to report their sighting.
On the 11th of December 2010. Ryan, Jocelyn, Clive, Mathew and Thomas Vivier joined a few other "twitchers" from the Zululand Rhino Reserve; to go and find the Elusive Golden Pipit.
With GPS Co-ordinates and Directions, the group set off at sunrise to find this Special bird.
On entering the Pongola Nature Reserve the excitement grew as we were not quite sure if this bird would still be around. With no mates in the area he could very well leave at any time. Had we left it for too many days after the First sighting recorded to see it? With much anticipation we noticed many more birder in the Pongola Nature Reserve also heading to see it, we turned round the first corner and then at the next saw a vehicle stopped and knew we were in the correct place. We all bailed out of the vehicle, binoculars, Camera's and Scope attached to any limb that could carry it, and were showed by the Generous birders who were already there as to its whereabouts. There is was, even more Amazing and Beautiful than any bird book could describe or illustrate. We felt like this bird looked nothing like a Yellow Throated Long claw.
We were told to get there early in the morning so that we were able to get a sight of his displays. We were very fortunate to him displaying, flying from tree to tree and trying to chase any other birds away from his display perches.
This will truly be a memory that I and everyone will keep with us forever. We need to encourage more people to start looking at the Amazing birdlife around them, and taking note. Birding has to be the most rewarding Hobby that I could have ever given myself, and it had also brought to my attention, how many birds are affected but the choices humans make on a daily basis. I have been fortunate enough to see birds that are on the verge of extinction, and possibly have a hand in helping them.
Happy Birding!!
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HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED?
Is there something that you have always wondered and never been able to answer, let us help, send us your questions and we'll send the answers!
What you may Find Down an Aardvark hole?
Like everything something has to start somewhere. As for an Aardvark hole a male will move in a large area digging several holes whilst foraging at night for the reason of safety, but for a female she will restrict herself in a area where she has sufficient ant nests to keep her satisfied creating many holes close to one another.
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These Aardvarks will use these holes till the food resource in the place chosen runs out, then they will move on to find a good foraging area where the digging of holes will continue. So what will you find in such underground places? You would be surprised.
One animal which uses these holes regularly would have to be the warthog. What the warthogs would usually do is start by widening the hole and creating a larger chamber down towards the bottom where they will also take vegetation down to soften the sleep time.
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Warthogs are also known to create shelves for the piglets during the beginning of the rainy season for the reason that if the chamber begins to flood, the mother can lift her young to the safety of the ledge, created by her tusks.
Hyena also use these holes for safety and are called Hyena dens. In these burrows they will be in groups or solitary and will also raise there pups in these burrows.
African Rock Pythons also use these burrows for safety and for laying there eggs, but will come out to bask during the day.
Leopard use these burrows for safety and for raising their cubs.
Even in some parts of Africa down old Aardvark holes where river beds and dams have dried out, Nile Crocodiles have been found using these cool places to escape the harsh African sun, some of which will not move till the first rains which they might have to wait for many months. |
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BUSH CUISINE
Melting Moments Recipe
Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch (corn flour)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered (confectioners or icing) sugar
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping: 1 cup (110 grams) powdered (confectioners or icing) sugar, sifted
Method
In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least one hour or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. When dough is firm, form into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake for about 12 - 14 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, line another baking pan or tray with parchment or wax paper. Sprinkle about half of the confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar onto the bottom of the pan and then place the slightly cooled cookies on top of the sugar. Put the remaining sugar in a fine strainer or sieve and then sprinkle the tops of the cookies (or you can just roll the cookies in the sugar).
These cookies store very well. Place in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper and they will keep a couple of weeks.
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Season's Greetings to you from the Leopard Mountain Wine Cellar!!
Looking for a fancy and delicate wine to serve with your Christmas meal or any celebration? Look no further!!
As an aperitif the Kaapse Vonkel will add sparkle to any celebration, and is ideal for serving at your Christmas table or your new year's party! This lively and energetic mousse of bubbles is a sophisticated Cap Classique with delicious flavour intensity. The nose shows delicate floral aromas with hint of ripe yellow apples and citrus freshness.
The yeasty bouquet follows through the unmistakable character of freshly baked bread on the palate. Mouth filling with ample body and persistent clean and dry finish. The Kaapse Vonkel has beautiful finesse and the elegant finish lingers well, leaving the taste buds calling for more!
Food Suggestions
Delicious with fresh oysters or pat. Excellent with lighter soup courses and ideal to accompany dessert as it is perfect for cleaning the palate.
Try Leopard Mountain's Chef's famous; Chilled Guava Mousse & Chocolate Crisps.
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Funny Bones
The Frog & the Psychic
A lonely frog, desperate for any form of company telephoned the Psychic Hotline to find out what his future has in store.
His Personal Psychic Advisor advises him, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."
The frog is thrilled and says, "This is great! Where will I meet her, at work, at a party?"
"No" says the psychic, "in a Biology class."
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THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION
You could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed & breakfast and game drives at the lodge. You may email us your answer to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(competition closes 25th January 2011 terms & conditions apply):
Solve this Riddle:
I lie, abandoned, on the beach.
My watery home I cannot reach.
My former owner set me free.
He has no further need of me.
What am I?
LAST MONTH'S WINNER
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition is Jon Stephans. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night.
Last Month's competition was:
Soft and fragile is my skin
I get my growth in mud
I'm dangerous as much as pretty
For if not careful, I draw blood.
What am I? - a Thorn
BEST GUEST COMMENTS
11/12 – Dave & Neeta Pasad Westville, Durban – This place is lovely to relax, very peaceful sceneries. Rooms are lovely. It's so amazing to see so many animals, brings us closer to nature.
22/12 – Lesley, Steve, Maggie & Kevin, Dorset, England; Thanks to you all for making our stay a lovely one. Merry Christmas & Happy new year to you all. xx
GOING GREEN
In the world today we all need to make an effort to help our environment recover from the damage we have caused. Some of us look at this and head for the hills as we think that only a huge project will make an impact, this of course is not the case any effort, no matter how small is a start!
THIS MONTHS TIP
At this time of year we are all coming up with resolution to better ourselves; why not make one for conservation! Try something simply: - Have a paperless office. With the computer software that is available today it is so easy to do. But just remember, back up you computer at least twice a month.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
'There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.' – Nelson Mandela, 'Long Walk to Freedom'
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till we chat again next month...
Editor
Melissa van Rooyen
All pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen & Riley de Charmoy Bouchet |
