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Thursday, October 6, 2016

up to 120 km/h on four legs

From a distance we spotted a Cheetah chasing down a female Impala at full sprint, finally catching up with this very fast gazelle, slaying her in seconds and dragging her into the underbrush.
We approached this efficient killer slowly and cautiously, coming close to where she lay panting underneath some protecting bushes.
For a long while we observed her as she scanned her surroundings. The one thing she obviously did not want, was competitive company at her dinner table.
After several examinations she must have accepted us as "not dangerous" and concentrated her vigil in the opposite direction.
We had remained in place for almost an hour, when the Cheetah disappeared into the bush, re-appearing at once, dragging the carcass of the slain Impala.
She began to feast, always casting suspicious glances in our direction.
Afraid that we were a bother to her, we slowly and cautiously backed away and gave her her well deserved peace and comfort  for a leisurely dinner.
During this entire episode I shot well over 100 pictures.
Here are a very few of them.

(I have not urged this for a long time, but with these images I will ask you to click on the image to enlarge it.)



Cheetah keeps watch over her Impala-victim


Having been assured that no dangerous competitor lurks nearby
she dragged the Impala from her hiding place in the underbrush.


Shortly after she started devouring her catch, we left the scene
to give her peace and quiet.


2 comments:

Linda said...

Beautiful photos, Bert! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

Bert said...

Hallo, Linda
thanks for the lovely comment. there are lots more where those came from.
How are things in good old Montreal.

Bert