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Okavanga — Sleepy Heads

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Published: 2016-08-07 12:06:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 581; Favourites: 20; Downloads: 2
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Description A Day in the Life... Part 1We left the Lodge in the pre-light of dawn, bouncing down the track in the Land Cruiser, Matt, the ranger, driving with his usual enthusiastic elan, Abel our tracker sitting imperturbable in the raised seat on the front of the vehicle. A moderate mist had descended over night and the bush and trees were coated in a heavy clinging dew, occasional droplets of water on tips of twigs. The cold was intense, and we were "double-layered" against the wind chill: T-shirt, safari shirt, fleece body-warmer, and thick over jumper, heavy cotton trousers, and my Aussie bush hat pulled low down over my brow to fend of wind and errant acacia thorns, walking boots and heavy cotton socks, plus lightweight fingerless gloves - my ensemble! I rested my camera and lens (Canon EF 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/4 with 1.4 times extension) on my lap, covering it with blanket and hot water bottle (courtesy of the Lodge) while keeping a spare battery nestled in my trouser pocket to keep it warm. Nothing stirred in th
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Comments: 8

thewolfcreek [2016-09-04 07:27:17 +0000 UTC]

Fine shot and capture...big kitty's...

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Okavanga In reply to thewolfcreek [2016-09-05 06:02:31 +0000 UTC]

You bet!

Many Thanks

David

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thewolfcreek In reply to Okavanga [2016-09-05 08:12:19 +0000 UTC]

Always very welcome David...

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LindArtz [2016-08-09 15:41:35 +0000 UTC]

They have zero fear or humans, eh David? !

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Okavanga In reply to LindArtz [2016-08-10 05:48:59 +0000 UTC]

These ones, and most ions in reserves would have no fear of humans. Lions and other animals have become habituated to vehicles and humans. Humans are just not a threat. In some places, however, lions would be much more cautious because they know that humans can kill them, again knowledge is passed down generations. So, lions will avoid any contact if they can. If cornered or hunted, then such lions will turn and try to kill.

David

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LindArtz In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-10 14:19:17 +0000 UTC]

Do the care takers feed them? I reckon they do. (especially with people cruising through)  Or is it a combination of that and allowing them to hunt, to keep up their survival skills?

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Okavanga In reply to LindArtz [2016-08-10 16:03:03 +0000 UTC]

The lions get no external feeding at all. They live off what they kill. All the animals must survive through their own natural lives. In some small reserves that are specifically for rehabilitation there will be food provided, but not at the cost of the animal losing its skills.

David

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LindArtz In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-10 18:17:30 +0000 UTC]

Good to know!

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