We set off to find the dogs again - it's so rare to have wild dogs in the area and be able to spend quality time with them. We found them walking across the plain - even closer to camp- they were clearly in hunting mood. The first chase was led by the tan coloured female who we had named zephyr as she ran like the wind and was definitely the fastest and most determined dog.
They had two failed chases - interestingly the wildebeest seemed more alert and had the youngsters in the middle of the group thus allowing them to evade capture. In frustration and as they regrouped they chased a couple of unsuspecting jackals. They clearly are not morning hunters and retreated to lie under a bush where they remained until we returned to camp.
We headed off to have breakfast under a tree and near an old masai boma - but still close enough to see if the dogs, although unlikely, moved.
There was a flock of red bishops in the trees in the boma - the males orangey red heads really stood out.
We then saw a mass of vultures - Ruppels, white backed, lappert faced and marabou storks, on closer examination they were focused on eating a young dead and very skinny wildebeest. Paul and I slowly got out of the jeep and did our slug movements to get closer to the birds - as a result we got some really different photos - what a difference ground level shots make! (today's photo)
We then headed across the plain and saw skittish golden jackals, a very well fed male cheetah looking for a tree to flop under and six hyena scouring the landscape.
Looking over the wide open plains, with the Ngorogoro hills behind, there were iconic scenes of lines of wildebeest looking for fresh grass or heading to water.
Before heading out for our afternoon drive we did another photo review - and I had more learning on photograph composition.
We headed out in search of the dogs again and they were exactly where we left them. Bandages on my elbows we went for some more ground shots - this time we took Benedict with us so he could see what a ground level view was like.
Being on the ground has its hazards - we could smell their poo, luckily it had a very strong odour, and so we had to wriggle around it! The grasses also added to the challenge of taking photos - never seemingly being in the right place. The youngsters were less interested in us as they had clearly got used to our visits. If we got too close they just relocated a little further away.
At 1830 like clockwork, after their usual group bonding, they headed off to hunt.
The herd again fended off the dogs by keeping the youngsters in the middle. The dogs failed so regrouped - with 'zephyr' being the most persistent and last to return. Then for some unknown reason a lone mother and calf headed straight towards the dogs - there was only ever one outcome. The skies darkened and their was lightening all around, but with the light fading the dogs only had one chance left to eat tonight and doubtless to say they were determined. The death of the youngster, perhaps because of the desperation to eat, was probably the most harrowing yet.
From our observations over the past few nights we noticed that quite often different adults would hang back from eating but the youngsters always tucked in.