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Bush News and Happenings

June 2011

The Leopard's Tale - June 2011

Good Day to all our Leopards Tale Readers

The past few weeks have to be some of the busiest that I have experienced since starting at Leopard Mountain over a year ago! With fabulous weather and amazing game viewing we could not ask for much more. We have also had a very successful Indaba where we were able to touch base with many of our agents from South Africa and abroad.

Winter is definitely setting in...As I write this I have a heater on in my office, a sure sign of the cold weather to come.

New Award
On the 08th of May 2011 the AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards were held in Durban, Leopard Mountain has been award Highly Commended. We are all very proud of our achievement and thank all of our staff for their hard work, without them this would not be possible!

Don't FORGET, coming up this month
"Do your bit for conservation

World Environment Day on the 05th of June 2011. The United Nations General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment. World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. It aims to

give a human face to environmental issues
empower people to become active participants in sustainable and equitable development
promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues
advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future

Click on the link to see what you can do to make a difference:- World Environment Day

OUR RESERVE

The Rangers Report, our head Ranger, Johann, gives us some wonderful updates as to what everything is up to:- The past month has once again been a breakthrough one on various different fronts. The shift in the bush is palpable, as grazing becomes more concentrated and water scarcer. Birding also undergoes a radical change as the amount and variety of species changes seemingly overnight.

Thinning bush and prevalent mating behavior among many animals means that many of the more elusive species suddenly become much more evident. The scarce and protected kudu lily has been in flower over the last month and has added some amazing color to an ever-browner but equally beautiful area of pristine bushveld. Here are just some of the highlights from our activities over the last month.

All the resident big game of the ZRR have been providing us with some amazing sightings as usual. We've been interacting with elephants on a regular basis and huge herds of buffalo abound in the good grazing of the south. Huge herds of giraffe are on display and there are also tons of young around. Several cheetah sightings have been giving us some amazing close-up entertainment and large groups of black-backed jackal have also been seen more frequently of late. It has, however, been a month in which the smaller things have been the more intriguing ones. Sunset is very early so we have been driving quite a bit during the evenings.

This means that we have been seeing nocturnal genet, porcupine and bushbabies (galagos) on a much more regular basis. The thinning bush and prevalent mating behavior has also made red duiker very easy to see and we have also had a few more good sightings of the elusive Suni. The lack of recent good rain means that our hide is becoming busier by the day and besides the regular visitors, species such as red duiker, common reedbuck, buffalo and giraffe are now visiting there more often.

Birding has undergone a huge shift over just a few weeks. Some of our special residents have suddenly become much more vocal, such as: Rudd's apalis, eastern nicator, gorgeous bush-shrike and yellow-throated longclaw. Raptor birding is always good in the drier months and every day you can see brown snake-eagle, bateleur, tawny eagle, martial eagle, African crowned eagle and many vultures patrolling the skies.

There has been a huge influx of Marabou stork and African goshawk is often seen calling high overhead in it's display flight. There has also been a sudden increase in sunbird numbers with white-bellied, scarlet-chested and Marico sunbirds being very common and vocal at the moment. One of the really exciting developments was having a African broadbill display metres away from us while we were having some coffee amidst the Sycamore figs in the uMsunduze riverbed.

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 Barn Swallow:-

Bird of the Year 2011 – Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is a small bird (18gm) that ranges from the Arctic Circle to South America, South Arican and northern Australia. Most birds breed in the northern hemisphere, but in 1980 some started breeding near Buenos Aires in Argentian, where there are now thousands of pairs. Its is a familiar species, in part because it usually nests on buildings and features prominently in myths and folklore throughout its breeding range. Africa is home to more than 50 million wintering birds.

Barn Swallows are trans-equatorial migrants, their arrival heralds sping in both hemispheres. The southward migration tends to be leisurely, with birds taking 2-3 months to travel up to 12000 km. Most adults arrive in southern Africa in late October or November, with juveniles apprearing a month or so later. They molt before departing in March or April.

The barn swallow has one of the largest ranges of any passerine – more than 50 million square kilometres. The key to its success lies in its versatility: the only habitats from which it is largely absent are deserts and dense forest, although it is sacarce at high elevations.

Despite their aerial lifestyle, Barn Swallows are not especially swift filiers. They typically forage at 30-40 km per hour, and seldom fly faster fthan 60 km per hour. However, they live at a fast pace. A few survive to 10 years or more, but most are lucky to exist beyond 3-4 years.

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!

Why Reptiles Sun Themselves

Reptiles are classified as ectothermic, which means that they are unable to regulate their body temperature internally and rely on the outer temperature. We have seen reptiles sunning themselves in the sun which is the best way that reptiles can regulate their temperature and is most energy efficient. Reptiles will move in and out of the sunny spots, retreating to shade to keep their body to a constant temperature.

They rely on the sun to retain energy that they will need during movement. During the cold winter months they will remain motionless to retain their energy and become scarcer. During these cold times they are not needing to eat as much as digesting food excuses energy and digestion takes longer. Doing this their heart rate and metabolic rate drops to save energy.

Ectothermic is unfortunately used as being cold blooded. This is a misconception as they can be warm with the outside temperature and can feel pain just like us endothermic counterparts with many pain receptors.

BUSH CUISINE

Spicy Tomato & Lentil Soup : SERVES 6

Ingredients

Onion	1
Garlic	4 Cloves
Curry Leaves (Chopped)	2 Teaspoons
Chilli	1
Coriander (Chopped)	4 Teaspoons
Garam Masala	1 Tablesoon
Curry Poweder	½ Tablespoon
Turmeric	1 Teaspoon
Cumin Powder	1 Teaspoon
Lentil	½ Cup
Tomatoes (Deseeded & Chopped	5

Method

Fry onion, garlic, chilli, curry leaves & coriander with a little salt
Once cooked add the psoces and cook ona low heat. 30 seconds
Add lentils & cook for a minute or so with spices
Add tomatoes, cook until they start to break down
Add water when needed. Adjust seasoning
Serve with minted yoghurt and chopped coriander

MINTED YOGHURT FOR GARNSH

Greek Yoghurt	½ Cup
Mint Leaves (Chopped)	1 Tablespoon
Cumin Powder	½ Teaspoon
Lemon Juice	1 Teaspoon
Salt	To Taste
Mix together and adjust seasoning

Leopard Mountain Wine of the Month

Neil Ellis Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc 2008

The most striking fact of the Neil Ellis Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc is the balancing acidity, full mouth feel and great length. It has very subdued but pure aromas of lemon drop, fresh pineapple & flinty minerality. With its chewy, tactile and intense flavors of citrus peel and anise, it creates a full mouth feel. It is fresh and zingy, with aromas, tropical fruit and flowers. The finish is dusty and strong with a brisk note of tangerine. This has mouthwatering acidity that begs for food, a Drink Now wine!!

Supertaut and bony, with lots of chive, chalk dust and dried thyme notes backed by a long, white asparagus-filled finish.

It is a Sauvignon to be enjoyed with a variety of dishes, but lemon Kingklip is a match made in heaven. It also goes well with grilled Calamari and Tomato based dishes.

You can try Leopard Mountain's:
Tomato & Bails soup or;
Oven Baked Kingklip served with Citrus Mash & Sautéed Vegetables.

Funny Bones

The Story Of The Bats

Two vampire bats wake up in the middle of the night, thirsty for blood. One says, "Let's fly out of the cave and get some blood."
"We're new here," says the second one. "It's dark out, and we don't know where to look. We'd better wait until the other bats go with us."
The first bat replies, "Who needs them? I can find some blood somewhere." He flies out of the cave.
When he returns, he is covered with blood.
The second bat says excitedly, "Where did you get the blood?"
The first bat takes his buddy to the mouth of the cave. Pointing into the night, he asks, "See that black building over there?"
"Yes," the other bat answers.
"Well," says the first bat, "I didn't."

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 30th June 2011 terms & conditions apply):

Solve this Riddle:

Alive without breath,
As cold as deathe,
Clad in mail never clinking,
Never thirsty, ever drinking

Last Months Winner Was:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition for AVRIL VAN DEN BOSCH. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night .

One likes to jump, when another can fish.
A kind is a triangle, and the next can make a dish.

What I am talking about, give some a fright,
But when others see them, they fill with delight.

What am I?
A Spider

BEST GUEST COMMENTS

20th of May 2011
Karin and I would like to thank you all for what must be described as our most enjoyable holiday by far. The meal we had to celebrate Karin's birthday in the private boma will never be forgotten. The luxury accomodation was just superb, hospitaliy and catering were the finest. Thank you all, we will return.

Karin & Chris Sprott

23rd May 2011
What a fabulous hideaway. Thank you all so much for a wonderful three days. Teh food & staff were fantastic and the special dinner to celebrate our 40th anniversary in our own private boma made the whole weekend even more special. Thanks for going that extra mile.

Ann & Ray Moore, Ballito

8th May 2011
Thank you for such a wonderful experience. The Hide was absolutely awesome. Thanks to Werner for the exceptional hospitality and memorable game drives.

Steven, Bronwyn, Daniel & Chloe Brown

7th May 2011
What an experience. We found peace and warmth again. Total differents from our City lifes. a place, we will see again. Gods Animals - what a beauty. amazing is what Leoaprd Mountain is!!! Thanks all, for a beautiful small holiday. Johan thanks a million, you are excellent :)

Zaheer, Aadila, Zinaliya Hoosen

5th May 2011
Wow! What an incredible experience. So many 'magical memorable moments'. Our expectations were far exceeded, your hospitality, service, settings, chalets are fantastic. My childhood memories of Africa were happily renewed. Your chef is outstanding. Teh game drives, Johann and Riley - so Knowledgeable and friendly, you guys make great waiters too! We cant wait to share our experience here with the Aussies back home, we cant wait to return to do this all again. Thank you Melissa & Linda

Nigel & Kate - Perth & Melbourne Australia

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

A few times a month we meet at a local restaurant for dinner and each time we leave there are always a few of us with the preverbal 'doggie bag', that take away container are great, but where do they land up... in the bin... in our landfills! So we have started taking our own plastic container, we all have hand bags big enough these days to hide them in during dinner. Stops all these extra take away containers land in the bin!

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

'The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.' - William James

…till we chat again next month...

Editor
Melissa van Rooyen

All pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen

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