A Real Leopard Sighting!
After years of visiting reserves in southern and eastern Africa… finally we get to watch and enjoy a leopard. Over the years it’s just been glimpses of leopards. We’ve watched leopards flash across our path at lightening speed, one after two young warthogs. We’ve watched sleeping paws dangling below a tree limb. Watched tails disappear in the tall Serengeti grass. Seen prey in a tree. Followed spoor (tracks) in the sand. Even saw the bloody drag marks across the road once. But… never did we have the privilege of sitting and watching this magnificent wild animal before.
Then, while saying our goodbyes to new friends at a picnic area north of Letaba in the Kruger National Park. One offhandedly wished us luck sighting a leopard. Another chap said, “She can tell you where to find a leopard.”
We follow the tip and sure enough the leopard is still in the described tree with his prey. We are ecstatic!
We spend what seems hours watching him/her chewing on the head of an unfortunate impala male. We’re in for a surprise. After settling in for what appears a morning nap he/she shifts her behind and the carcass falls to the ground. Within a flash the leopard springs down the slanted tree trunk and disappears into the grass. The next car driving up misses the amazing experience entirely. Time and space! Today was our turn. And we give thanks.
Be Brave. Only Believe. Just Do.
Margrit Harris loves nature and wildlife pretty much above all else… that is except her spouse, Russ.
