Leopard Hunting

Late afternoon, I must exit the park’s gate at Crocodile bridge near Komatipoort. As I turn left onto the main road towards the gate, my eye caught a dark spot next to the road going to the north. I had to check it. The divert was a true blessing. The leopard was stalking some young impala behind the grass right next to the road. The focused leopard was not distracted by the vehicle, slowly following it. I managed to take good photos of the stalking animal and then saw the most amazing opportunistic kill. The herd of young impala were totally unaware of the leopard crouching low in the open road. In a flash, the leopard darted though the grass and had the impala’s throat clamped in its jaws. The big open eye of the young impala glared dimly into the blue sky as the leopard strangles it, preventing the air and blood from flowing to the vital organs of the defeated animal. I could not see much more as the grass were thick and dense, but it was surely enough to spike the adrenaline and wiped the thoughts of the last 2 hours of uneventful and tiresome drive through the dry bushveld. What a great sighting to end the day with, driving slowly towards the Kruger National park’s exit gate at Crocodile Bridge.

Unaware of the running of a noisy car, a yard or ten from its tail.
The hunger surpasses the fear of all, no question or thought to fail.

Only the vision of victorious result, occupies its mind.
Stealthily it crawls and slowly it moves behind the natural blind.

Behind the grass near the road through the park, the herd keep grazing away.
The purpose of nature is somewhat masked, to whom will belong this day.

Like an arrow it shoots, a spear through the grass, the hunter surely succeed,
For now it is truly the end and alas, the buck will nevermore eat.