After a reasonable night's sleep, apart from a few interruptions from roaring lions, we were up, showered, dressed and at the truck ready for a 0615 departure. As before, ponchos and hot water bottles were waiting for us and although it was much warmer than Laikipia I still made use of them. I think Chris would have liked a sunrise, but it was a pretty flat sky to start the morning.
Out on the plains we came to a large cackle of hyena (another great collective noun) who had made their own zebra kill. Hyenas are one of the few mammals that both kill and eat rotting meat and unlike the big cats they start eating their kill whilst it's still alive, as opposed to suffocating it first by gripping the throat.
They have a matriarchal society and almost a "royal family" with offspring of the head female having all sorts of privileges and always the first pickings of any carcass, whilst lower ranking hyena have to patiently wait their turn.
Obviously a "leg" man
I can't imagine there's much meat on the tail but maybe it's more a trophy.
The only time we saw a Bateleur Eagle (back view of course!)
Then we were off to catch up with the lions, not the hippo eating ones but another pride which has several females with cubs of different ages.
These two females were definitely in hunting mood.
Whereas the youngsters just wanted to play (sorry rubbish photos, we were high up looking down on them and they're all a little soft).
This then developed into a mad dash around, with loads of rough and tumble.
Until the tree snapped in half and they all fell out.
Playtime over, a couple of the older cubs went hippo watching.
One mum had a well earned rest.
And others did some cleaning up.
Time for breakfast.
I found this to be Bush Camp's weakest meal when comparing it to Laikipia (or course at Tortilis we generally breakfasted back at camp). The granola wasn't nearly as nice and given that they were told I didn't eat egg, I found the choice of Scotch egg or frittata a little curious. I tried the Scotch bit but compared to the ones we had previously it was tasteless. Never mind, I'm sure I won't starve and the view was fabulous.
And now for some birds on sticks.
Grey Capped Warbler - a rubbish photo but the only one I have.
Little Bee Eater
And some landscapes, as in my eagerness to photograph the wildlife I often forget to look around me. The scenery couldn't be described as spectacularly beautiful but it's quite OK; wide plains dotted with trees and the occasional river (with or without water) running through.
And a few plains creatures.
Handsome Topi of varying ages.
Very unusual for a Warthog to stand so still - they usually turn tail and run as soon as the engine turns off.
Clinging on for dear life, the babies are carried underneath until their fur changes colour as they are less visible to aerial predators like eagles.
A couple of Leopard Tortoises, one of the Little 5. We've only ever seen one before (Lewa Downs Feb 2018) so to see two only an hour apart was pretty amazing and the markings are so completely different.
I couldn't not include zebra which of course are everywhere.
So adorable, especially the little ones - ear semaphore!
A lovely morning.