Di
29
Jun
2010
Back from the Bush
Same course as last year. We liked the 28 Day Field Guide Course so much that we came back. And here some news and fotos how it was.
This year we go for the strong field guide level 1 test. Unfortunately the requirements to pass have raised this year from 50% to 75%, for us as foreign languagers a high level.
In our group this year are: The brothers Sushil and Hiten from Kenia, the twins Sana and Ika from Sweden, Max and Kelie from Australia and Hajo from Germany.
To fill up the camp a year course with 8 Boys and Sarah from England and Stefanie from Germany are with us.
The daily schedule is adapted to the winter-season:
5.45h get up time for us, wake up call is 6.00h – early morning tea
6.30h morning walk - 9.30 return to camp
10.00h rich breakfast
11.00h lecture to approx. 13.00h – followed by study time
15.00h lunch
15.30h afternoon/evening drive – 19.00h return to camp (sunset 17.30h)
19.30h dinner
21.00h bedtime for us.
During the first 10 days morning walks we learn to identify 30 trees with their uses and other things of interest.
While studying the trees we also learned tracks and signs and a lot of little things like which bird uses the communal spider web for its nest or about ants and termites and more. One of the most exciting adventures was running after two Cheetahs in the bush. Which means that we were running while the Cheetah seemed to walk slowly. But it is such an experience to stand 5m away from this marvellous animal. On the drives we met Rhinos, Lions, Hyenas, Waterbuck and many other Antelopes as close as possible.
The sleep out in the bush without tent is another great experience. On Nathaly’s and my guardian duty around the sleeping area we suddenly see a large Hyena maybe 5m away in the dark watching us.
All ages of Hyenas at the den
By the way the Hyena is one of our favourite to observe in the wild. One evening we went to look for the hyena den, which normally is a termite mound. Hyenas usually move their den every 1-2 weeks. We found the den, but there seemed to be no one at home. Waiting was worth while because all of a sudden we were surrounded by 3 sub-adults, 2 juniors and 1 baby playing with each other, while 2 adults came home from hunting. It is never boring to watch Hyenas, they are curious, fearless, funny and look after each other very carefully.
Only the temperatures are a great dread for us. 2° in the Night reminds us much of on Switzerland’s wintertime only that here in the camp we stay the whole nights and days outside without central heating. Despite the temperature we try to enjoy the sound of the bush in the night, like the cry of the Jackal and the Hyenas or the mating sound of the Leopard.
One good thing about the low temperatures is that there are no mosquitoes, hardly any spiders and no snakes either. We just saw one Black Mamba from a far distance.
Lions and their baby Giraffe kill
One night Rob our head coach called us 4 o clock in the morning, 2° cold: „Nathaly ,Gü, wanna see a Lion kill? In 5 minutes at the car“. 5 Minutes later 17 students freezing to death waiting excited to see a Lion kill.
How Rob finds the kill in the dark night is his secret. He just heard the sound of the baby Giraffe running away and this while sleeping - or does a field guide never sleep? The crushing sound of the bones gives us even more goose pimples than the freezing temperatures. It takes us at least till 12 noon till we get warm again.
Our studies are quite hard as mentioned but we decided to go for the Eco-Training Diploma. 75% seems a lot but we will do it. 3 written exams, 2 presentations, a field assessment and a 45 minutes drive with guests, all for 1000 points. As presentations Nathaly has chosen “the meerkats” and “the uses of the elephant trunk”. Gü chose “The Hyraxes” and “the architecture of the birds nests”. In the written exams we have to answer questions like “Name the 4 chambers of a ruminant with its functions” or “give 5 species of near passerine birds”. At the walk assessment we had to identify 25 trees and give a use for it, define who’s dung is this, and identify birds by their call. We are very happy and proud that we past the exam with a result of total 89%, Gü with 889/1000 points and Nathaly with 887/1000, only 2 points difference! Now we feel like true Field Guides. But as always, the more you know the more you know what you don’t know - now we have more questions about the bush than before! There are at least 800 trees and about the same amount of birds to learn….
We are now off to the Kruger National Park and then we plan to head towards Mozambique, talk to you later.
Kommentare: 8
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#1
I am proud of you as well!
... und wo finde ich die deutsche Version dieser Erfolgsgeschichte?
Eva -
#2
Liebe Beide
Wir sind sehr stolz auf das tolle Resultat; das ist ja phantastisch!
Herzliche Grüsse aus der heissen Schweiz
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#3
Congratulations to both of you on passing the level one Guide Exam with distinction. We assume that you will be free from now on to move further up the ranks of the Park Rangers. Before doing so, please mind that here in Switzerland some barbarous wolves and a faintly distinguished bear are waiting for a professional handling. Bon voyage! Paul O.
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#4
Bravo, haben wir auch erwartet. Wir kommen gerade aus den Urwälder der Masuren und Russland. Da gibt es sicher auch Kurse, wäre näher und auch kalt.
Liebe Grüsse F und C. -
#5
All I can say is "WOW"! Great job on passing the field exam with flying colors. I love your close-up photos of the animals. You will be bringing back so many wonderful memories upon your return to CH (that is, if you decide to come back!!!). Enjoy your time and keep the news coming. :-) Julie B.
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#6
Hi Guys, welcome back to the www and sharing your adventures. Firstly, congratulations on your fabulous results in the Guide Exams. Secondly, great pictures - absolutely amazing to see the lion kill. Thirdly, 2° at night!!! Are you joking????? Whatever happened to the romance of sleeping under the stars? Still another enriching experience. You both look great, carry on the good work, enjoy the Kruger National Park & please keep sharing your news and photos. :-) Ian
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#7
Hallo Nathaly,
hallo Gü,
das hört sich super spannend an und ich würde gleich losfliegen wollen und das gleiche machen ;-)
auch die Bilder sind genial. Macht wirklich Lust mal wieder nach SA zu fliegen.
Grüße aus dem tropisch heißen München
Albert -
#8
Hello,
Absolument genial de regarder vos photos d Afrique depuis la Chine. Un monde si different ...
Il y a 5 jours a Pekin, hier a Shanghai et aujourd hui a Chengdu (Sishuan) pres de la frontiere du Tibet. On pense bien a vous. Bisous 
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