‘Gang of Five’ pay a visit

Regular readers to the blog will be waiting to read about the promised elephant encounter that had interrupted breakfast for our lucky guests.......

Ezulwini enjoying his favourite euphorbia plant by Duiker hut

It began with us hearing branches breaking before one of our guests spotted an elephant through the bush between us and the neighbouring property.  Breakfast was quickly finished and we sat down to wait and watch, hoping that what we thought was a single elephant would come closer.  However, as we got a better view we recognised them as the ‘gang of five’ – two big males, namely Soshangane (with a radio collar) and Ezulwini, and three smaller males who are often seen with them. 

Ezulwini spots a tempting, overhanging branch of the marula tree...

Our guests, John and Colin standing on the deck enjoying the spectacle

They made their way through the bush and came out by the corner of Duiker hut.  Ezulwini then proceeded to feed on one of his favourite euphorbia plants close by the wall of the hut. 

The smaller elephants made for the bird bath and drank, and one sampled the very spiky Y-thorn bush beside the bird bath.

The young bulls drink at the birdpool and try the VERY  thorny Y-thorn bush

The marula tree by the splash pool was too much of a temptation for Ezulwini and he broke off one branch before we gently shooed him away.  Marula trees are a great favourite with elephants during the dry season and Ezulwini has several on his list when he comes visiting Leopard’s View.  Unfortunately, a marula tree is no match for a determined elephant and we were slightly worried the tree would come off worst and end up in the splash pool.  We have learned to keep an eye on Ezulwini when he is here and to take action whenever he tries to target our trees - one strong word from Neil is usually enough to deter him. 

Some of the action was picked up by our birdpool camera trap.

Picture from camera trap of the 'Gang of five' moving off into the bush.

We were delighted to be able to share this 'elephant encounter' with our guests - an unforgetable experience.

The Game Viewing Tower gets a Makeover

View from top floor of game viewing tower

Past visitors to Leopard’s View will remember the magnificent view that unfolds as you climb to the top of the game viewing tower.  To the west, the sweeping panorama that takes in the hills of the Escarpment, round to the valley and ridge in front of the tower and of course the view down to the water hole.  The view never fails to impress, even for us, and to sit on top of the tower as the sun comes up over the waterhole or enjoy a glass of wine with the sun going down is probably one of the great joys about living here. 

'Old look' tower

For some time though, we have been aware that the tower has been in need of renovation; the safety railings were rather inadequate and the floor needed relaying.  This was a job that required a few weeks work so we scheduled it into the calendar and began work last month.

Our first job was to strengthen and relay the floor on the middle deck and replace the safety railings.  This of course was more difficult that it sounds as once the floor was taken up there was nothing to stand on and it was rather a precarious task to relay the floor timbers. 

 

The top level floor came next; new decking timbers to be shaped, fitted and varnished and then the new safety railings.  New steel work was added in some places and new furniture on the top floor along with a shelf for binoculars and books.  The finished result is a great improvement.  Repainting of the steel work will follow, but that is a job for another day!

Top floor with new railings, shelf and furniture

 

 

 

The giraffes seen in the pictures were taken yesterday morning.  We were having breakfast with our guests when this group of giraffes arrived and stayed around the waterhole drinking and eating for some time.  I was climbing to the top of the tower for some photographs when elephants were spotted coming through the bush.  Breakfast was forgotten in the excitement of a wonderful elephant encounter – but, that will be in the next posting!