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October 2011

The Leopard's Tale - October 2011

Good Day to all our Leopards Tale Readers

Spring has sprung, the hot weather is back, but we wait patiently for the rains to come! We have had the most fabulous sightings as you will read in our Rangers Report and our Guided Trails are fast becoming the order of the day. With all the excitement that the game drives and guided trails bring, we add to the mix 2 new members to our Team! Roxanne Austin & Wesley Cragg - our new members bring with them enthusiasm and experience that we know will add to our already fabulous team!

Don't FORGET, coming up this month
DO your bit for conservation; check out these websites to see how you can help!

10th – 16th of October
Save Our Sea Birds Festival

BirdLife South Africa's Seabird Division is at the forefront of seabird conservation, nationally and globally. Seabirds are the most threatened group of birds in the world - almost one third of all seabird species are threatened with some extinction risk. What can you do? Click Here for More Details!

16 October
World Food Day

The aim of the World Food Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day to acknowledge that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity".

This year Woolworths has created a 'Living Wall', they invite you to plant a seedling on their Living Wall. They will transform your virtual contribution into the donation of an actual plant to a South African school with a permaculture food garden. All you have to do is click to choose your plant and add your name. It's fun, free and makes a big difference in the real world. Click here to make your contribution!

Kim Steinberg Photography: - Tip of the Month

Situations where a Tripod is Beneficial

Some people think that using a tripod for taking photos can be time consuming and not fun at all. You add weight to your bag and you still need to set it up before you can start clicking away. But if you're a person who wants to take clear photos all the time and are serious in photography, this digital camera accessory is very helpful. Regardless of what type of digital camera you are using, a tripod can help you capture great images every time. People often using telephoto lenses will also find the tripod useful due to how heavy the camera can be. Windy days can also be challenging when shooting but with a tripod, you won't need to worry about getting blurry images. Just make sure your accessory is sturdy enough and not easily blown away. The small one is called an Octopus tripod and the legs can be adjusted to grip onto anything from a tree to a car door and is nice for amateur photographers. The other one is a standard tripod

www.kimsteinberg.com

Or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any specific photography questions or suggestions on what you would like to read about in my column.

Till next month keep shooting
Kim Steinberg

OUR RESERVE

The Rangers Report, our Ranger, Wesley, gives us some wonderful updates as to what everything is up to:- The last month or so has been an extremely progressive and activity filled time.

Right at the top of the list is most definitely the recent discovery of tracks and signs of a mating pair of Leopard, just below the lodge in the Msunduze riverbed.
It seems the mating pair also managed to corner a Nyala bull up against some rocks and successfully killed it.

A young female leopard is able to breed for the first time when she is about two years old. Male leopards are capable of mating about the same age as females, but they often have to face competition from older and stronger male leopards. As a result, young male leopards usually have their first chance of mating at three to four years old. A female leopard will be ready to breed again after her cubs have grown up and left. She gives birth about every two years.

The Nyala bull that the pair brought down also attracted a lone spotted Hyenas' attention. Hyena are often mistaken for being mischievous, lazy scavengers, this however is a fallacy. Hyenas have been proven to be one of the most successful hunters in the African bushveld. Both their stamina and strength coupled with working in 'clans' proves to be a very successful technique for bringing down prey.

The coalition of three lion brothers are making more of a presence with each new sunrise. They seem to have moved quite a bit further south, bringing them a little closer to Leopard Mountain Lodge.

With summer being just around the corner, the three lions are spending the majority of their day fast asleep in the shade provided by the acacia woodlands. Most hunting and peak activity seems to be taking place between dusk and dawn, this of course makes each and every morning and afternoon drive an exciting event.

Birding has also been somewhat interesting these past few weeks.

The International Vulture Count Day took place this month. It proved to be quite successful with a large number of white backed vulture, a fair amount of griffon vulture and some lappet faced vulture all coming to the party.

The pair of woolly-necked storks was also viewed as they pulled away at a Nyala carcass to get their fair share of the kill made by the mating pair of leopard the night before.

The smaller paradise fly catchers seem to be spending a lot of their time finding nesting materials of late. A pair of these beautifully coloured little birds is frequently being spotted in the Msunduze riverbed just below the lodge. This will most certainly make for some good viewing, being able to observe the egg incubation period, hatchlings being fed by the adults and observing their growth progress.

A pair of crowned hornbills has also been discovered preparing a hole in a tree trunk for nesting and egg incubation. Female hornbills typically get closed into a tree trunk by their monogamous male counterparts for the duration of the egg laying, incubation periods and right up until the chicks are fledged. The male closes the entrance to the nesting site with mud and leaves a hole just big enough for him to be able to feed her through. She also uses this hole when cleaning the nest site out, ridding the nest of faeces and possibly parasites by picking the debris up with her bill and dropping it out of the nest through the opening.

With breeding season in the air on the reserve of late, tensions are high all round. The Nyala bulls are all doing their ritualistic dances, as they size each other up. This slow movement, done by lifting and stepping with one leg at a time, bowing heads towards the ground and raising every possible hair that can be raised on the body in order to look as large as possible, is a rather subtle way of solving a dispute. This is done rather than a physical, confrontational battle, to avoid possible and even fatal injury.

The giraffe bulls are also using up a lot of their time competing with each other. This so called 'necking' is done to determine who of the two males competing is stronger and more dominant. Giraffe do not fight for territorial purposes as they do not protect certain areas, but rather fight for breading rights.

'Necking' can go on for hours on end. It usually ends with one of the males either being too exhausted to continue or more simply, showing an act of submission.

We will keep you updated with our Blog entries until next month. Click here to go directly to our blog.

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!

Are Honey Badgers as Aggressive as Claimed?

Honey Badger ( Mellivora capensis )
Gestation : 6 months
Number of young : 1 to 4
Weight: 8 to 14kg
Life span: 20 years

They are certainly formidable. In fact, there are few animals in the bush regardless of size, with more tenacity and confidence in their ability than the honey badger.
I would have to say they are not aggressive, but are short-tempered and very dangerous when harassed or annoyed.

Honey badgers have a thick skin and fits loosely, allowing them to turn on attackers when being held, they also have powerful vice-like jaws equipped with a formidable set of broad crushing teeth, although they lack canines. This capacity, together with the long claws, their anal glands, that secrete a noxious smell similar to that of a skunk, and an unpredictable disposition make this an animal best avoided.

BUSH CUISINE

Prawn & Pineapple Salad

Ingredients

Medium prawns, shelled & devined	5 per person
Pineapple	1
Green pepper	1
Cherry tomatoes, guartered	10
Cucumber	1/2
Red onion	1
Orange	1
Coriander	1/2 bunch
Mint	1/4 bunch
Lemon juice	1/2 lemon

Method

Season & fry the prawns until cooked. Set aside to cool
Dice the pineapple, green pepper, cucumber, onion, & orange to similar size cubes
Roughly chop mint & coriander
Add all the ingredients except prawns and mix with lemon juice
Leave to stand in the fridge for 30 min before serving
Garnish with grilled prawns & slive of fresh lemon

Leopard Mountain Wine of the Month

This Month I would like to introduce to you a wine fit for a summer's day, the "Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2010". This wine managed to take the prize for a Silver Medal at the 2011 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.

This wine boosts a beautiful bright lemon-green colour with a distinct nose of crushed nettles, lemon zest, green fig & black current leaves finished off by a soft floral note. The palate is a surprise of wonderful fresh fruits such as Clementine, granadilla, Cape gooseberry & melon.

This is a versatile choice of Sauvignon Blanc as it can be enjoyed with many delectable dishes from Char Grilled Artichokes, oyster, shellfish & smoked Salmon to Chicken A la King and even baked goats milk cheese like ricotta. Enjoy this wine with our Chef Ashton's recommended dish of the month – Prawn & Pineapple Salad Wine funny note for the month: Wine improves with age. The older I get, the more I like it.

Funny Bones

Two Roaches

Two roaches were munching on garbage in an alley when one engages a discussion about a new restaurant.

"I was in that new restaurant across the street," said one. "It's so clean! The kitchen is spotless, and the floors are gleaming white. There is no dirt anywhere--it's so sanitary that the whole place shines."

"Please," said the other roach frowning. "Not while I'm eating!"

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 October 2011 terms & conditions apply):

Solve this Riddle:

You use a knife to slice my head
And weep beside me when I am dead.

What am I?

Last Months Winner Was:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition for last month is Michelle Nicolai. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night .

Last Month's Riddle was:

The person who makes it, sells it.
The person who buys it never uses it,
And the person who uses it doesn't know they are using it.

What is it?

A Coffin

BEST GUEST COMMENTS

Date: 4th September 2011
Guest: Eugene, Maresha, Nikkie & Saren
Thank you for the unforgettable memories. We has a truly amazing experience

Date: 6th September 2011
Guest: Roy, Beth & Jessica Keytel
Truly a special place in Africa. Very relaxing and make one forget about everything.

Will see you again.

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

Baby's Love Olive Oil

The idea is use something that does not contain petroleum-based products. A GREAT alternative is Olive Oil, which has to be about as natural an alternative as you can get. If you're a bit wary shop around at your local organic retailer for something that is petroleum free!

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

'Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly' – Robert Francis Kennedy.

…till we chat again next month...
Editor
Melissa van Rooyen

Pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen & Jo Vivier