I am excited to announce that the new campsite setup is fantastic! The wind has got nothing on us now, and the sand stayed on the ground where it belongs. The Dune experience was cool for one night, but I’m glad we relocated. The only other news to report is a spider bite on my left shoulder blade. It’s not serious, but it’s definitely material I can exaggerate during story time later.
New and improved campsite
On our mission to Serengeti National Park, we equipped both vehicles with walkie talkies, and the military lingo was 100% necessary. I was in the back car, and our captain Kamden reported any bogies (sightings) to alpha leader (Dr. Solomon). We noticed plumes of smoke as we entered the Serengeti, but the threat was neutralized when we were informed that they were controlled burns. While scanning the perimeter, we were excited to spot banded mongeese, hippos in water and on land, agama lizards, a tawny eagle, black-backed jackals, a rock hyrax, and topi. We clocked suspicious activity between a male and female ostrich and moved to stale out the scene. Upon investigation, we witnessed a mating display! The male courted the female by fanning its wings out to the side and swaying and swinging its next side to side. The female sat down on the grass, and then the male continued the dance during mating. It was truly incredible to watch.
Hippos taking a swim
Jackal in the daytime
Please do not read past this point in the blog if descriptions or pictures of dead animals being eaten disturb you. Do you copy?
Captain Kamden reported a longing to see a fleshy corpse being eaten by predators. About 10 minutes later, our platoon came across a newly dead cape buffalo being eaten by a pride of lions in the middle of the road. The smell was putrid, but our proximity to the scene drowned out the stench with adrenaline fueled by a slight primal fear. No mission is too dangerous for us, so we pulled up next to the road and watched as young female lions tore into the buffalo. Several other female lions were laying under trees for shade, falling into food comas. The older lionesses ate last, tearing into the fallen beast with strength unmatchable by the younger lions. I can still hear the sounds of teeth shredding and ripping muscle. Surveillance complete, we headed to a picnic site for lunch after working up our own appetites.
Young female lions eating a cape buffalo
Lion food comas
Mission Serengeti involved a few vehicular obstacles. The alpha squadron encountered a flat tire and later broke down in the park. We had to call in backup, but it wasn’t long until the issues were all clear. We scouted the real Pride Rock on our way out and had a beautiful drive back to Olduvai in the sunset. Mission status: complete.
Over and out.
