Written by Tony Medici
[Additional comments by Thom are in italics and brackets, like this]
We’re back to our “mobile camp” schedule with a wake up call before first light so that we can be in the vehicles, ready to go, and leaving camp at the earliest possible moment (the park restricts the hours you can be out of camp). Even though the light is just starting to show, during the first hour we stopped for several sightings, including this Pearl-Spotted Owlet.
In late September Savuti is very dry. Savuti currently has no flowing water in the area, and the yearly rains have all long been used up. Without water, few animals would still be grazing in the area. However, the park service uses solar powered pumps to create water holes that attract enough animals to keep this area open for safaris during the dry season. Currently, one water hole is still pumping fresh water to allow animals to use the area.
[Many don't realize that the cover photo on Frans Lanting's Okavango was taken at one of these pumped water holes. The park service in Botswana established the original water holes partly to keep the wild animals from wandering out of their huge protected area into villages, farms, and hunting areas that are outside the park border. Coupled with watering holes at a few lodges in the area, this was enough dry season water to keep the non-migrating populations from wandering into areas the country didn't want them in.]
That means we know where most animals will be since all need water to survive. This morning we have been driving through an area called the marsh (which is a marsh during the rainy season but is dry now) where most of the prey graze since it is hard for the predators to hide in the open, flat area. This makes it slightly safer for the prey so that’s where we started our search for animals this morning.
The Pride on the move. (Heading for the Water Hole)
We found the pride on the move in the Marsh area. This is a good size pride with about 15 lions in it. They eventually ended up at the water hole for a nice drink.
With so many lions in the area, the rest of the animals were skittish. They tended to run completely away from the water hole and back into the bush when the lions came to drink.
And, of course, if there is water in the area, we’ll also find lots of birds.
Burchell’s Sandgrouse
Red-Billed Oxpeckers
Lilac-Breasted Roller
The day ended pretty much like the morning started. Except at this time of day, elephants dominated the water hole.
As in the morning, a number of different animal species were hanging out around the water hole waiting on their opportunity to drink while not upsetting the elephants. Some industrious predators even manage to catch dinner while in the area.
Black-backed Jackal headed for the den with his dove dinner.