|
Subscribe to our Newsletter
|
Bush News and Happenings
The Leopard's Tale - March 2011
Good Day to all our Leopards Tale Readers
|
As we were all preparing for the start of winter, it seems summer has decided to hang around a while longer. And with that she is going to prove a point.... just how hot is she! The past few weeks have certainly tested our heat resistance, we are all looking forward to a few cooler days. This past month has been wonderfully busy from Valentines Celebrations to great game viewing... this is certainly a great start to the year.
Don't FORGET, coming up this month
Do your bit for conservation, check out these websites to see how you can help! |
Be a part of the largest environmental event in the world, Earth Hour. Simply switch off your lights for 60 minutes as a symbolic gesture of your ongoing pledge to combat climate change.
Join WWF and the world from 8.30 - 9.30pm on Saturday 26 March 2011.
So, get your family, friends, colleagues and everyone you know to join in. This year you can take Earth Hour beyond the hour. Make positive changes in your daily life to benefit the planet. Show your support or Earth Hour and your commitment to contributing to a global climate resolution! |
 |
OUR RESERVE
The Rangers Report, our head Ranger, Johann, gives us some wonderful updates as to what everything is up to:-
We've continued to have good bouts of rain throughout the month and the Msunduze has recently flooded in a big way, going well over the banks at certain points. Despite the abundance of water and the density of the vegetation making for what are traditionally poor game viewing conditions, we continue to prove that it is still possible to have amazing sightings on a regular basis. And it is not only the large game that has been entertaining us but also the huge variety of intriguing smaller things that make up the beautiful whole we call the bushveld. Here are just some of the highlights worth sharing……
|
 |
There hasn't been a comprehensive birding report for a while and since twitching has been so good of late, I thought this a good place to start. Many of your large raptors and scavenging birds are very sensitive breeders and therefore very good indicators of environmental conditions. It is therefore very encouraging to see that Martial, Tawny, Wahlberg's, African crowned and brown snake-eagles all breed in good numbers in the reserve. Add to this nesting Bateleur, Lappet-faced and white-backed vultures, African hawk-eagle and peregrine falcon, and you have an awesome destination to view raptors. The smaller raptors such as African goshawk, little sparrowhawk and steppe buzzard have all also been readily seen. At the moment the reserve is also one of, if not the most reliable place to see a few localized specials.
|
 |
Pink-throated twinspot is very common and vocal. Rudd's and yellow-breasted apalis are common and easily located. Crested guineafowl commonly occur in large flocks of up to sixty. Striped and bushveld pipits can be seen in their respective habitats as can red-faced and lazy cisticolas. Yellow-throated longclaw is also displaying actively. The night-time birding has also been really good. Spotted eagle-owls are seen by the dozen, African scops-owl can be heard every night all around the reserve; bronze-winged coursers and spotted thick-knees line the roads at night to feast on the abundant insect life. Between the common barn owl the keen observer might also be able to spot some grass owl in some areas. African wood-owl can also be heard every night in the riverine areas.
|
 |
The hide has again become a focal point for the animals in the area and despite the recent downpours it is attracting a lot of animals, big and small. Slender mongoose and large water monitors are often seen making th eir way down to the water. Very often, however, they soon attract the attention of the resident drongo's and a battle ensues. There have been a lot of giraffes in the hide vicinity and these guys have also been entertaining us endlessly with their cautious drinking habits. Numerous buffalo are drinking there on a regular basis but are not always comfortable with human presence. The elephants are still spending most of their time in the south and have recently treated us to some wonderful sightings.
|
 |
Just a few days ago we watched them make their way down to the river and proceed to bathe themselves vigorously mere metres from the vehicle. The young ones were having a ball and the huge bull present was thoroughly quenching his thirst. Sightings of cheetah over the month have been very good and black-backed jackal is also regularly seen. A few night drives and the earlier onset of sunset has given us the opportunity to have good sightings of porcupine, thick-tailed bushbaby, aardvark and large-spotted genet. Leopards have been elusive but the frequency with which we find tracks in wetter periods attests to a good number of leopards in the area. Spotted hyena is becoming more and more vocal and their distinctive calls add a lot of imagination to the dark hours under the African sky.
|
|
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 Spotted Eagle Owl:-
|
 |
The Spotted Eagle Owl:
Distribution & Habitat
Occurs across sub-Equatorial Africa in most habitats, excluding sandy deserts and high grassland.
It is most prolific in open scrub and low grassland, so long as it has suitable roost sites.
It has also adapted to living with humans, occurring in many towns and cities in southern Africa, roosting in buildings and trees and using streetlights as perches. |
The Spotted eagle-owl is a familiar bird in many parts of southern Africa, and lives in a wide range of habitats. It has an extremely varied diet, eating anything from poisonous snakes and carrion to falcons and insects. It breeds in most months in the year, nesting in a variety of different places. There are usually 2-3 chicks in one brood, up to 6 chicks in good years. Juveniles are only fully independent 4 months after leaving the nest.
|
Predators and parasites
- Polemaetus bellicosus (Martial eagle)
Food
It has an extremely varied diet - over 60 species have been recorded as prey. It mainly hunts at night, only rarely coming out in the day to follow Honey badgers to bee's nests. The type of food it eats varies greatly between different areas and habitats, although rodents, small birds and shrews typically form the bulk of it's diet. The following prey items have been recorded in its diet.
- Vertebrates
- mammals
- rodents (Rodentia)
- hares and rabbits (Leporidae)
- bushbabies (Galagidae)
- fruit bats (Pteropodidae)
- mole-rats (Bathyergidae)
|
|
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!
How do chameleons change colour?
You may have been told or have read up on the colour change of a chameleon, and that they change to blend into the environment that they are in, but this is not completely true.
These mysterious creatures change their body colour due to the mood they might be in or the fact of temperature change in hand with regulating body temperature. A chameleon has several layers of skin with tissue cells that are triggered by hormones which will change the body colour, these cells are called Chromataphores.
A few things that can change body colour: -Fear -Light -Temperature -When handled -Aggression
|
 |
Colour on a chameleon can change to blend into an environment would only be a coincidence. Three main colour changes would be to impress a female when mating accurse in the summer time, Aggressive colours to warn of other males and as well as changing to regulate body temperature by being paler or darker. This colour change can happen within milliseconds. |
BUSH CUISINE
HONEY ICE CREAM
Ingredients
5 Egg Yolks
500ml Milk
250ml Cream
½ Cup Honey
1 tsp Vanilla
Beat together the egg yolks and honey.
In a saucepan heat the milk until boiling.
Remove from heat and temper with the egg mixture.
Cook on a low heat until it thickens.
Remove from heat, strain and cool.
Freeze in the ice cream maker.
|
|
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2008
|
|
The prestigious 'Platter's South African Wine Guide 2010' edition has given the Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2008 vintage the thumbs-up - five stars.
Several vintages of this elegant wine have received high accolades of four and a half stars over the years, but this is the first to attain the coveted five stars, one of just 41 wines of the 6,000 wines featured in the guide. In Platter terms, this makes the Paul Cluver Chardonnay "Superlative. A Cape Classic" and was one of three Chardonnays to achieve this.
This wine is a typical of a classic Chardonnay. The nose is bursting with aromas of citrus, floral tones, hint of ripe peaches, pineapple, oak and a lovely, toasty nuttiness.
The Palate is gentle, yet complex with a combination of ripe fruit, citrus and mineral flavors with hints of oak in the background. This classic Chardonnay finishes with a long, elegant and lingering aftertaste.
Food Suggestion; Lighter dishes like fresh fish, poultry, pork and game birds are recommended. It will also suit creamy pastas. Salmon dishes are a perfect match; especially local cold smoked Salmon Trout.
Or;
Try Leopard Mountain's: Baked Salmon, with Parsley & Lemon Mash Potato & Sautéed Mange Tout
ENJOY!!
|
Funny Bones
Once upon a time, there lived a poor hat seller in a small village in India. He earned his livelihood stitching hats and selling them in the neighboring villages. Once when going to another village through a forest, he fell asleep under a tree. When he woke up, he was surprised to find his basket empty and all the hats missing. Then he noticed a troop of monkeys sitting in the tree wearing his hats. He came up with a brilliant idea to retrieve his hats. He lifted the hat on his head and threw it to the ground. Out of their aping habits the monkeys followed suit. The hat seller then collected all the hats and triumphantly proceeded to the market.
As the years pass by, the hat seller has a grandson who too ends up being a hat seller. One day he has to pass through the same forest to sell hats in the village on the other side. As he is leaving, his grandpa tells him of the monkeys and how he outsmarted them and warns the grandson to be careful in the forest and remember his grandpa's trick if the monkeys cause any trouble.
So the grandson sets forth on his journey. While passing through the forest, he gets tired and falls asleep to wake up and find the basket empty and all the hats gone. Then he notices the monkeys on the tree wearing the hats. Smiling to himself he says, "Aha ! I know how to deal with this. I'll use my grandpa's trick ! So he hurls his hat to the ground expecting the monkeys to do the same. All this time, there is a young hatless monkey sitting in the tree. This monkey jumps down from the tree, quickly picks up the grandson's hat and puts it on his head. Then as he is scampering away, he says to the grandson sarcastically:
"HA! HA! DID YOU THINK ONLY HUMANS HAVE A GRANDPA!?"
|
|
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 31st March 2011 terms & conditions apply):
Solve this Riddle:
Born motherless and fatherless,
Into this world without a sin.
Made a loud roar as I entered
And never spoke again.
What am I?
Last Month's Winner was:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition for Oliver "Leopard Enthusiast" Abrahams. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night .
Last Month's competition was:
I have an eye but cannot see.
I am stronger and faster than any man alive
but have no limbs.
What am I? - a Hurrican / Cyclone
BEST GUEST COMMENTS
Lovely place with an amazing view. Ranger, Tish so passionate and really great.
5 Feb 2011 – Cluade & Sabrina
A memorable stay! Thanks a lot! Beautiful lodge, stunning landscape, lovely animals and charming & professional staff!
14 Feb 2011 – Christel & Bernd Meyer
Thank you for all the fabulous pampering. Wonderful suppers under the stars & refreshing game drives. Thank you so much for everything. We had a wonderful time!
28 Feb 2011 – Kalyan Family
Thanks for a fabulous stay. Superb service and so friendly. How do you manage to remember everyone's name? The high spot was to be spending 45 min with two cheetahs this morning. Thanks Riley! We don't want to leave!
27 Feb 2011 – James & Sarah Bradley
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
Personally my dish washer is the one thing in my house that will be repaired /replaced without any hesitation. It makes having dinner parties or visitors for days on end ALOT less stressful. They also save energy and water.... if used correctly! Only rinse your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher if you absolutely have too, make sure you load it correctly and only when it's full. This way you will ensure that your dishwasher does the work for you and does what all of them say they do... Save water and energy!
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
'The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.' – Thomas Dreier.
|
till we chat again next month...
Editor
Melissa van Rooyen
All pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 8 of 68 |
|
