3 Cheetahs all the way from the SA

wildheart

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It was my best Cheetah sighting EVER!!!! Up close and personal.

This time because of a partly broken dvd camera I have footage without the shake. Hubby had to use the eye piece cause the display screen stopped working - it is the best thing that ever could have happened.

It was the 9th of Feb and we were in front of the Crocodile Bridge gate at 05:00 armed with steaming coffee, cameras and binocs. It was cheetah day, my mind was set on it and I took the only road where I have seen many droppings as evidence. The day started good with lots of game like Blue Wildebeest, Impala, zebra and warthog.

We turned up to the S28, it is a gravel road that runs along Mozambique and we found ourselves in the middle of a herd of elephants. Oh how I LOVE elephants. We stayed there and watched them for about 5 minutes before the matriarch made it clear that she had enough of us and we moved on. I was ready for a 13 hour search for cheetah when - there they were - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!!!!!

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They were only meters away from the elephants!

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We sat by them for almost a half an hour before they decided to move on and low and behold, they did not leave the road but ran for over a kilometre IN THE ROAD!

They picked up a smell from the bushes and really seemed bothered by it, so much so that they did not even chase the warthog that 'by accident' crossed the road! The poor warthog, they had such a fright I am sure they ran all the way to Mozambique!!! :D

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Their relaxed behaviour completely changed to nervousness, it must have been a lion smell.

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But as all good things must come to an end they left the road and disappeared into the savanna grassland.

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In the video you will see how close they were to the elephants and when they started jogging and saw the elephant 2 of them looked back at us almost as if they were checking if the car was still behind them for safety. You will also see the poor warthog running past.

Sorry that this is the closest that I can bring them to you, but I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCOXpQZ_y1A"]YouTube - ‪Cheetahs Kruger Park Feb 2011‬‏[/ame]
 

greycloud

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Fantastic Linky!! They are just perfect! I am sure it is a mom and two of her young. You are so lucky to have seen them! Thanks so much for sharing!
 

Spiritbird

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How awesome to wake up and look at this thread. It gives me goose bumps all over. Were they a coalition of males? Why do you think they were in the road? Guess they were not too hungry. Thank you thank you Linky and Craig. Lucky wart hog.

 

antoinette

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INCREDIBLE

OMG those pictures are ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC WoW Linky

I AM TELLING YOU YOU ARE IN THE INCORRECT PROFESSION.
YOU HAVE SUCH A TALENT FOR TAKING THE MOST PERFECT PICTURE
PLEASE DON'T LET IT GO TO WASTE AND GO UN- NOTICED

You experience such beautiful animals in their natural habitat, you are most fortunate.
Loved the way the warthog ran, at least he got away.
Thanks so much for sharing such special footage with us, we enjoy it to bits
 

Von1983

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Oh my gosh Linky!

:O

Those are OUTSTANDING! Ahhhh you are so lucky! What wonderful photography skills. I love it!

Thanks so much for sharing!
 

tlcgourdine

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Wow!!!! What amazing photage, thank you so much for sharing :)
I can't imagine living amongst such beauty, I would never get anything done!
 

mellykyitus

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how wonderful, such super photos! xxx
 

Ecclipse

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Proudly South African!!!! Stunning Links! We live in one of the most beatiful countries in the world :) Viva Suid Afrika!!!!!!
 

Cowtown

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OH MY Gosh..... that is great... Thank you so much for sharing...
 
OP
wildheart

wildheart

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Were they a coalition of males? Why do you think they were in the road? Guess they were not too hungry.

Yes Tannie Di they were 3 males, we were not lucky enough to see the female with her cubs this time.


Kruger had good rain this summer and the grass is extremely long. We found lions, leopard and wild dogs in the road as well. They usually use the roads for either hunting or just relaxing.

I think on this certain occasion they were surprised by the elephants and chose the road for safety, I think.:D The predators down South in Kruger very often use the cars to hide behind and to corner prey. Up North is completely a different story and the elephants there are extremely intolerant of cars and always gives us a full on chase. :eek:

Thanks for the compliments about the photos but really all I do is point and shoot, it really all depends on the animal who usually do not want to sit still!:rolleyes:
 
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bells

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How awesome! Makes me miss the Highveld :-( but Ill send you pics from Robben island of the whales then I'll feel better lol! Deal?
 

bells

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Southern Right. And I dont have the pics yet :-( last time i never had my camera with me- wont be making that mistake again!! Lol! They are stunning! BUT i have NEVER been so overwhelmed as i was when i visited the Kruger! You are very lucky! The first time I ever went, we spotted a leopard in a tree with a buck carcass. Watched him lazing there with his catch for hours, til the sun went down and we had to get back to camp. And the elephants!! Ah! Goosebumps!
 
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wildheart

wildheart

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I always say that nobody should ever leave this world without at least once experiencing the African Bushveld. I am so glad that you have had the opportunity to see the incredible Lowveld Kruger park.:D Yes oh the elephants, did you have time to watch how they interact? They have a 1000% more feelings than what most humans can ever have.

At what camps did you stay and for how long and how long ago?

Do you know that they have dropped the border between the Great Limpopo park and Kruger, it is now almost twice the size of Britain:D.
 
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wildheart

wildheart

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Hie-hie-hie I only saw now that you are from SA! :D My husband were born in Cape Town. I also had the opportunity to see the whales in Margate - it was AWESOME!!!:D Plus I have the photos - you naughty one to not have your camera ready!
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Ecclipse

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RIP Hugo (African Brown Headed Parrot) 2 years old, lil Rosie May (Lovebird)
How awesome! Makes me miss the Highveld :-( but Ill send you pics from Robben island of the whales then I'll feel better lol! Deal?

Yippee!!!! Another South African!!! Please do send pics - I love whales!!! We see them pass Port Elizabeth and when I go home to Durban. One of the most beautiful animals in the world :)
 

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