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Andre Pretorius
03-06-2016, 08:08 AM
Early morning in Kalahari just before Kanagauss waterhole. We have been following four Hyenas heading towards the Kanagauss when they left the road to investigate something in the riverbed.
We decided to wait for them at the waterhole. As we were waiting we spotted two lionesses with cubs coming from the dunes at the opposite end. The wind was in their favour, they could pick up the scent
of the Hyenas. They hid the cubs and went looking for the owners of the scent. The four Hyenas meanwhile did their loop and was approaching the waterhole from the riverbed. The picked up the scent
of the lions, but they were nowhere to be seen! Thirsty from the night excursion they were quick to drink, but very weary of the presence of the big cats. In typical Hyena fashion they always climb in the water
with all fours, drinking and cooling off at the same time. Suddenly one lioness appeared, and immediately charged.
The Hyenas scattered with one of the lionesses in pursuit.

Very late that afternoon we found the family again, they were joined by a big male, but they were too far in the riverbed under some shade.

Rachel Hollander
03-06-2016, 08:50 AM
Hi Andre - a fun story sequence and what is really nice is that each image would stand on its own too.

TFS,
Rachel

Gabriela Plesea
03-06-2016, 12:41 PM
Dear Andre,

I would like to thank you for sharing those special moments from our last Kalahari trip - such a wonderful sequence, the frames so well chosen! Great continuity and what a fun story!

Just wanted to add: the hyenas did not return for some time, instead they disappeared somewhere in the green river bed. The protagonist of this story returned to her cubs and - together with her female companion - relaxed for some time while keeping a vigilant eye on the movements of a springbok herd passing by. A thought that comes to mind, predators (and animals in general) tend to avoid real conflict - if a fight is not absolutely necessary it won't happen. No need to get hurt. It's often about body language and communication, in this case the chase was more a warning and IMO the lioness did not intend to wound the hyenas as such, but gave them a clear message to steer away from her cubs. The hyenas could fight back but instead decided to leave the scene. But things might have been different if they were motivated by the presence of a kill...

Thank you again Andre, I enjoyed viewing, very much. And I sincerely hope the other members do too:S3:

keith mitchell
03-07-2016, 04:26 AM
Hi Andre, have enjoyed reading your account of your encounter with these animals it must be great to witness.When it come to choosing my favourite shot the first one with the Lion party exposed in the grasses is the one for me.
Keith.

Marc Mol
03-07-2016, 03:30 PM
#'s 2, 3 and 4 are the standouts here Andre, especially with # 4 having all 4 off the ground with great eye contact :cheers:

TFS

Andre Pretorius
03-09-2016, 03:54 AM
Thank you everyone for the kind comments!

Glennie Passier
03-09-2016, 04:02 AM
Wonderful story. Wonderful images. I love the drool (maybe just water) from the hyenas mouth. The intense looks on the lioness in the 2nd frame and the hyena in the 3rd is just priceless. Thank you for sharing!

Andre Pretorius
03-10-2016, 03:50 PM
Thank you Glennie! Half drool/half water.. Love them and the place, would like to live there...?

David Stephens
03-29-2016, 07:24 PM
No words needed.