The strands of love

Intricately detailed nests woven by weaver males for their females to give them the perfect home, a safe haven to lay their eggs and secure their own lineage are remarkable and a sure sign of loves labour.

We have been seeing a huge amount of new nests in and around the lodge, overhanging the pond with frenzied breeding, we would like to think brought on by Valentine’s Day.

As with humans the most attractive partners with the perfect home, in the eye of the beholder, scores the looove! Males parade their breeding plumage and weave their hearts out for hours in hopes of securing a female. The females inspect potential partners and nests, checking its design and comfort and subsequently ripping unsuitable homes apart. Males will frequently battle in mid air to secure prime location where they would build between 20 and 30 nests per season.

Jamala has seen three very distinct weavers over this season: the abundant Southern Masked Weaver, the Lesser Masked Weaver and the slightly astray Red Headed Weaver.

Weavers are remarkably dedicated and have woven grassy thread by thread the fabric of their lives insuring specie survival. A lesson for all to learn.

Southern Masked Weaver, distinct red eyes, red brown legs and black mask. Perfectly oval shaped nests tightly woven.

Lesser masked Weaver, white grey eyes, grey legs and slightly larger black mask. This weavers nest has a tube like appendage attached to it’s nest slightly different to that of the Masked Weaver

Red Headed Weaver, dark eyes, red legs and distinctive red head. He arrived here as “The only Red Headed Weaver in the village”. We hope that he will be able to fill his less than perfect empty nests soon.

This Water Buffalo met it’s match on a early morning in January.

We have been watching a diligent Blacksmith Lapwing Plover pair nesting in front of the lodge

over the last two weeks, happy in their sandpit abode nurturing their fragile eggs cleverly disguised by the white clay soil.

Enter the muddy Water Buffalo.

Plovers love damp wetland areas adjoining grassland fields very similar to landscape enjoyed by sun baked Water Buffalo. Naturally the two will cross habitat from time to time but none of us were prepared for the fury unleashed on this poor Buffalo by the female Plover. The Buffalo happily grazing, stumbled across the Plover nest and in a very brave loud vocal display the female plover unleashed her rage, pecking relentlessly at the bull’s nose, alarm calling and gesturing in a

” touch-my-eggs-and-you-will-pay” kind of way.

The Buffalo’s iron gaze would not faze this heroic mother and in a attempt to make herself seem larger she spread her wings and became very vocal in a loud ringing tink, tink, tink alarm call

 The Plover male kept back for the biggest part of this Goliath and David clash feigning injury in his own attempt to distract the steely eyed Buffalo but ultimatley allowing his partner to bombard the Buffalo with accurate beak to nose jabs

Finally after 20 minutes the Buffalo gave way and the courageous mother assumed the position over her eggs safe guarding them from any potential predators.

Proud of her victory, exasperated in her fury.

set in a swathe of Savannah Grassland sipping on frosted G&T’s,

 amazed at the kaleidoscope of creatures and awe inspiring landscapes,

 these are but a few things that inspire us and hopefully you for the year ahead.

We are often astonished at the diversity and productivity of our waterhole

and on this particular day in early January we would not be dissapointed.

Crazy eye’d Buffalo and Elephants resplendent in the garb of cracked mud

standoffish in their search for fresh water.

We are over run by Masked Weavers rife in their numbers feverent in their breeding

manupulating paper bark branches to create the perfect home for their offspring.

Frequently majestic male Lions come down to hold their turf, mark their territory

and pursue the chance of a quick mid day feast

Wild Dogs painted in burnt amber, charcoal and flashes of white

readily visit the waterhole to cool down and  find respite from the blistering mid day sun

As we enter the darker stage of twilight under a African star studded canopy,

 reverberating with the sound of the wilderness

Jackal, Hyena and Lion can be heard in the distance almost every evening.

These are a few of the things that make Jamala inspirational to us.

Shaun’s enduring charm and passionate spirit will forever be ingrained in Jamala and it’s people.

 We will always remember, celebrate and honour his legacy.

“It is in the
memory of our unforgettable yesterdays, in the courage we display today

 and it lies expectant in the hope and mysteries of all our tomorrows”

Shaun Roe

STARLIT AFRICAN NIGHT SKIES AND SOPHISTICATED GASTRANOMIC ELEGANCE

COMBINE TO DELIGHT THE SENSES IN OUR CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION.

On the first day
of Christmas, my true love gave to me

A partridge in a pear tree….

On the second day of Christmas …

How do you
create a special occasion at Jamala Madikwe when every day is a special
occasion?

It is seen in
the glow of a sunrise, the smile of a friend, in the parade of elephants that
share this magical space, in the dazzle of a prancing zebra and the majestic
stance of an impala ram as he scans the tree line. It is found in listening to
the song of a bird and the thrill of a leopard’s silent appearance. It is
softly heard in the whisper of the wind, it is seen in the unfurling of a new
bud and it is felt in the changing of each season.

It is in the
memory of our unforgettable yesterdays, in the courage we display today and it
lies expectant in the hope and mysteries of all our tomorrows.

It is the
creative force within us each of us that drives our quest for the unusual, the
exquisite and the unimagined. It is this energy that infuses the senses turning
the ordinary into the extraordinary.

The 2011 Christmas taste extravaganza finds its inspiration in combined
talents of Nico and the Jamala Team that turns every day magic and spins  the unusual into the extraordinary

Merry Christmas

Jamala Madikwe Christmas Menu:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

A partridge in a pear tree

 Quail spring-roll with vanilla pear pure

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Two turtle doves

 Mascarpone lemon sorbet

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Three french hens

 Poached hen’s egg asparagus tips and saffron hollandaise

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Four calling birds

Four fowl terrine

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Five golden rings

Grilled beef fillet, truffle mashed potato and golden onion rings

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Six geese a-laying

Duck liver thyme pate with orange marmalade

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven swans a-swimming

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight maids a-milking

Cheese platter with hand-made marzipan swans

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine ladies dancing

Chalice of Vin De Constance

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten lords a-leaping

Chocolate truffles

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven pipers piping

Lemon curd filled tuile pipes with chocolate ash

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve drummers drumming

Marzipan monkey drummers and mince pies

Little did we realize that both the number of sightings and individuals within the group was about to change … for the better!

Over the past few months both the Jamala Team and our guests have been treated to multiple, and dare I say it, fairly regular sightings of “herds” or “gangs” or (a particular favorite) an obstinacy of over two hundred buffalo that absolutely love the waterhole which is situated a mere 30 meters from the deck of the main lodge.

Nico was particularly lucky to grab a few visuals, early yesterday morning, as this large herd moved in to enjoy a drink and a relaxing mud bath. The group was of such magnitude, that there was little room to accommodate the continuous stream of individuals and the odd scuffle between the less jovial of the big boys, made for a dramatic and energetic visit!

All it takes is a bit of a short fuse and these big cantankerous boys go head to head at the waterhole. The fight escalates and the two get well and truly stuck into each other.

The clash of boss on boss reverberates across the open savannah which in turn upsets the tranquility of the entire group.

The herd panics and the thunder of their hooves echo across the plains.

As the pandemonium dies down and the last of the gang of buffalo find cover in the thickets around the waterhole, a calm settles and the stage is clear … for the moment!

One of the wild dogs, a member of the Southern Pack, moves in for a closer look at us.

We had not seen wild dogs in front of Jamala Madikwe for some time and as many of you know, The Madikwe Game Reserve is renowned for its very successful wild dog breeding program. However, living in this beautiful wilderness has afforded us multiple sightings of this extremely endangered predator, the majority of which have taken place in and around the lodge.

Whilst enjoying sunset drinks on the main deck of Jamala Madikwe yesterday evening with friends from one of our neighboring lodges, the smaller of the two wild dog packs made a much welcomed appearance at our waterhole.

After a brief drink, it was with considered purpose that the pack moved into the thickets south of the open plains. The hunt was about to begin! These animals never cease to amaze with their tactical assuredness and incredibly high success rate whilst hunting.

Within moments, we were drawn to the plight of a female impala as she broke cover, racing toward our waterhole – one dog in close pursuit.

Watching a kill is both exhilarating and incredibly sad, a range of conflicting emotions collide in that one brief moment. One has to remain detached and non-judgemental as audience to the realities of a life and death struggle in the wild. Their is no sense of victory in the catch. It is what it is! The hunter and the hunted – just as nature had intended.

This particular kill was different. We have never before witnessed almost leonine methodology in a wild dog kill. On this occasion the dog managed to apply a throat hold on the impala and it could not have taken more than thirty seconds before the female impala, breathless from the chase, gave up her fight for life.

With the calving season imminent, it was not surprising, although somewhat distressing, to watch as the dog opened the belly of the impala with almost surgical precision and remove the now well developed fetus.

Our thanks go to Neil Steedman, both friend and neighbor, for this wonderful series of graphic photographs.

The moment of contact. This dog moves straight in for a classic throat hold.

At this point in the hunt, it is assumed that the impala is "overcome" - the result of an overload of adrenalin which facilitates the onset of anaphylactic shock.

As this female impala drops to the ground, she gives one last thrash of her legs and her life quickly slips away.

A very young life taken and this fetus will provide sustenance to the predator.

The Mica Female is the mother of both the Jamala Females and therefore, the grandam to these five cubs. The Jamala Females were born in June or July 2008 and the mother of these two girls (The Mica Female seen sleeping in the visual above) is as feisty and formidable a lioness as one could ever wish to meet.

We remember her reaction on one particular occasion, when the Jamala Cubs were about five months old. She had pulled down a well sized wildebeest for the family . Once the lions and cubs had eaten their fill the cubs managed to “wrestle” the carcass away from the pride adults to indulge in a few youthful antics. We had sat with the group for about forty minutes when the Mica Female suddenly decided she had had enough of our company and stormed our vehicle without any warning. Needless to say, we all landed up on the opposite side of the vehicle, blood surging through our veins and our adrenaline levels at an all time high. We got the message loud and clear, and swiftly gave the pride the privacy they had so “politely” requested!

The Mica Female is so distinctive with the odd coloration to her eyes.

This female has a look that speaks volumes when one gets a little too close! A formidable lioness who takes her responsibilities as a mother and grandmother very seriously. Courageous in her quest to look after cubs and her two consorts “The Kagal Males”, once locked on to a prey victim, she rarely misses the target. Unusual for lions whose reputed hit rate is approximately 1 in 5.

In this picture, “The Loan Range” reflects the curiosity of youth.

  With each passing day, this rather special young cub, born to the Jamala Females, gains confidence and on this particular occasion, our open game viewer becomes the subject of close scrutiny. Given the tenacious bloodline of both the dam and sire lineage, this cub is geared for future greatness.

 We have included two pictures of these very handsome young males. We found these two boys lying about three hundred meters south of Jamala Madikwe early in the morning a few days ago.

 There has been a shift in lion territories of late and we were pleasantly surprised to find these two youngsters in the area of Jamala Madikwe. Regrettably, we have not been able to identify these boys as yet.

The return of the Jamala Females and grandmother The Mica Female with the 5 cubs to the same area, could prove tumultuous if these two boys are set on making this area “home”.

The plight of the rhino should be viewed as one of the greatest tragedies of our time and a sad indictment of mans inhumanity to all creatures of the natural world.

These magnificent animals, fiercely protected and revered within The Madikwe Game Reserve, are a source of great pride to each and every one us that have the privilege of sharing in their world.

Irresistible, precious and a picture that had to be included.

Both mother and calf are photographed at the end of the day as shadows grow longer. The protection of these rhino will form the backbone of a legacy to all future generations of the world.

This very rare and endangered Ground Hornbill is one of a pair of Ground Hornbills raised by our very good friends whose property adjoins The Madikwe Game Reserve. These truly spectacular birds have taken to “flying the roost” and have become regular visitors to our side of the game reserve. Definitely rated by ourselves as one of THE sightings of the week!

To our friends Niel Dreyer and family, our fabulous Senior Ranger, Lucky – thank you for caring … and sharing your wonderful photographs.

]]> http://www.jamalamadikwe.co.za/2011/10/serendipitous-sightings-and-spectacular-sunsets/feed/ 0 http://www.jamalamadikwe.co.za/2011/09/the-jamala-lions-and-the-buffalo/ http://www.jamalamadikwe.co.za/2011/09/the-jamala-lions-and-the-buffalo/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:58:21 +0000 admin http://www.jamalamadikwe.co.za/?p=465

One of the Jamala Females and "The Lone Ranger". This tiny youngster is very often to be seen right next to Mom. We are not sure if this is the result of a greater sense of insecurity or the development of a special bond between mother and cub.

Three cubs look on as the Jamala Females inspect the buffalo carcass. At almost three months of age, these youngsters are at their most curious. Life for them, at this stage, is one big adventure!

The growth of the cubs is clearly evident when reviewing the visuals we uploaded less than four weeks ago. The rough and tumble antics, clearly reflect many of the life skills they will need as they mature into adulthood.

The developing bond between two brothers, could ensure their success as future pride males.

"The Lone Ranger". The smallest of the cubs, this youngster is far more demanding of it's mothers attention and is certainly the most vocal of the five youngsters.

One of The Jamala Females takes an opportunity to ensure the safety of the pride from her position on a small rise, north of Vlei Pan.

The Mica Female (grandmother to the cubs) and "The Lone Ranger" in a shared moment of affection and vocalisation.

Two litter sisters, The Jamala Females, spent three days on the carcass of this buffalo.

Although the youngsters are still suckling at this stage, they certainly know how to sink their teeth into any kills that the females of the pride might pull down. This youngster shows clear signs of having feasted well on the buffalo carcass.

On Safari!

To be on safari is to be on a journey of discovery and we have shared a few unforgettable experiences over the past couple of days.  The Madikwe Game Reserve ecology and game capture teams are currently in the process of darting and capturing buffalo. We were delighted to be given the opportunity of getting our guests into the thick of the action!!

Jamala Madikwe guest, Anne (extreme left) gets up close and personal with a captured buffalo.

Yesterday, we went on to have a real humdinger of a sighting. A young leopard male on a giraffe carcass is not what one would call “run of the mill”!

Beautiful male leopard on a giraffe kill.

We are not exactly sure how this magnificent giraffe bull came to the end of his life however, we were absolutely fascinated by the fact that this male leopard had uncontested access to the carcass. And what a show he put on for our Jamala Madikwe guests!

A Royal Feast for this Prince of Stealth.

Serendipitous! Expect the unexpected! Open oneself to the magic of nature. The rewards are bountiful!

Thank you Jamala Madikwe Senior Ranger Lucky, the Cliff’s and the Goody’s for allowing us to use your beautiful visuals.

One of the young Linyala Males

As children, my brother and I had the great fortune of growing up with parents that were keen naturalists. Many a school holiday was spent in various game reserves throughout southern Africa, from parks throughout both Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now known as Zambia – the country of my birth – and Zimbabwe, respectively) through to the Kruger National Park and its surrounding reserves the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and the Klaserie. It is this privileged upbringing that has instilled a deep passion that is woven into the very fabric of my being, which makes every day at Jamala Madikwe so incredibly special.

Young Linyala Male at the Jamala Madikwe waterhole.

It has taken me some time to arrive at a laymen’s understanding of the natural balance that exists within any eco-system. All have a roll to play. When wild dogs quarry an impala and are about to move in for the kill, one must consider this predator to be at the very pinnacle – unmatched in its intelligence and strategic capability. In spite of this, the wild dog remains one of the most endangered predators in the world due to the encroachment of civilization and the gradual demise of available protected natural territory.

How often do we hear of the leopard, with all its strength and stealth, having lost a kill to hyena? Given its magnificent power and displays of extreme aggression, the lion on a kill is at the mercy of other carnivores if out numbered. Elephant in close proximity will do their best to harass lion in to leaving a particular area. Then again, we have on more than one occasion, witnessed a breeding herd of elephant give wide berth to a lone buffalo bull.

Statuesque in repose.

The proverbial “David and Goliath” examples are too numerous to mention.

We have enjoyed great lion sightings both at Jamala Madikwe and Pofu Dam, during the course of these past few days. The balancing of the number of individuals is critical to the success of any one lion pride. Too few members and the pride remains out-matched. Too many, and the availability of large prey species becomes key to their existence.

The three “Linyala Male” brothers appear to be comfortable with each other. Should this coalition continue to thrive, these lion will prove to be a formidable force in the not too distant future. The territory surrounding Jamala Madikwe is much favored by these guys and we are enjoying the time spent watching this trio develop.

Brothers, the Naledi Males - nearing the end of their territorial leadership?

The converse is invariably more touching. We spent some time with a very old male down at Pofu Dam, a few days ago. We are not sure of his identity however, his overall condition and with what appears to be a broken lower jaw, makes him hauntingly unforgettable.

Old Male Lion @ Pofu Dam

The vitality, strength and sense of the invincible, so evident in youth, is poignantly balanced against the battle scarred, lack luster disposition of the aged in these photographic visuals of lions both at Jamala Madikwe and Pofu Dam, Madikwe Game Reserve.

The ravages of age evident in the face of this old male @ Pofu Dam.