Trees!

Our primary objectives this morning (Friday) in Ishasha were to spot a leopard (pun intended) and some additional lions. It was an overcast and cool morning, which could delay the timing of the cats climbing up into the trees. Yesterday’s tree was devoid of lions, but after 45 minutes of looking at every promising tree and searching for movement in the tall grass, we did find a leopard partially hidden on a shady branch halfway up in a tall tree by a river. Leopards like this sort of location because they can see the animals as they come down to the water for a drink — a fine point of view from which to pick a meal.  We also saw more Uganda Kob and Topi (the latter is a handsome mahogany colored antelope). Both species move in large herds and are entering mating season, which makes them a little crazy. One section of the plain is called the breeding field. This is where the males challenge one another and where the females choose their champions. 

We next moved to the river that separates Uganda from Congo, and observed more hippos under the watchful eye of our armed military escort. There were large signs, well back from the rivers edge which read “STOP. Hippos are Dangerous”.  After viewing the hippos for a short time we headed south in search of lions. Our valiant trip leader knew of another good fig tree near the main road, so we went there. He was spot on, in the tree we found two lionesses and three lion cubs. Unlike yesterday’s lion, these cats were not such good sleepers and took turns waking up to stare at us. One cub was especially restless. 

After a picnic lunch we drove south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which us where we will gorilla trek on Saturday and Sunday. The mountains are indeed daunting — it looks like the 70 degree incline advertised in our briefing materials might be true! Our cabin is surrounded by so many flowering plants that we are inundated with small birds. Kevin could hardly keep up with photographing new species, they arrived and departed so quickly — the departing part is rather frustrating to the photographer.