quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
It was shortly after the great world meltdown of the year 2000. All computers were to die, but in the northern part of Zambia it was not noted. Rather it was a once in a lifetime hunt (OK maybe the first or second one) after the king.

Buffalo quarters. Hippo quarters. Wildebeest halves; all were hanging from trees over a 20 mile area in hopes Leo would appear. And appear he did, along with a hot to trot missus.

The only way to hide was to climb a tree. The loving couple had dinner tickets for hippo steaks, but only long after the sun was down. Now, sitting on a limb 16-20 ft in the air overnight was not overly appealing so - well - just haul a mattress up there.

Life in a tree at night can be indeed a wonderous experience. Birds are vocal, zebras bark nearby.
And, just before dark, hyenas congregate right underneath you. Quietly the group forms, drawn by the quarter of hippo hanging, just beyond their reach. Still they try to grab a mouthful. That is, until they come. You can barely hear a low pitched growl as they come, but the hyenas do and quickly vacate the area.

In the moonlight, you can see the loving couple. They eat then mate, verbally sounding off about it for about 20 seconds. Then he falls off - worn out - but only 15 minutes later they again are a couple. And, in the dark moonlight you are allowed to view. It goes on all night and the next day.
He is an old guy, but quite bald (like some of us that are only useful for 20 seconds or so).

So on goes life, and in a tree you get to be part of it. Merry Christmas, and I hope you may all be part of the tree.