Allotment, Geocaching, Homebrew, Walks 'n Stuff

Well we enjoyed our time so much at Antelope Park in 2010, we decided to go back in 2011, but this time for 4 weeks. We went back with several good friends we met there last year.

There was 1 major difference to the project in 2011 and that was Ngamo. The Ngamo release site is where a pride of lions is the first to be released by the African Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program into a semi-wild environment.  They are therefore the first pride that will give birth to cubs that will eventually be released back into the wild when they are in their third year (2013). During our time there the Ngamo pride already had given birth and the cub was 7 months old in August 2011. This is a brilliant step forward for the project as it shows these lions can hunt and breed, without any human intervention.

So one of the new volunteer activities, was to go into the release site in a vehicle with researchers to study the pride.

You can read more about the progress of the Ngamo Pride here – http://ngamo.wordpress.com/

Basically the life of a volunteer was the same as last year, but without the cub feeding as there were no very young cubs this time. There were 2 sets of walking lions, Penya & Paza and Lewa & Laili. The 2 sets of lions were just amazing to walk with, on our 1st 2 Ps walk we watched them stalking Giraffe, these are 7 month old cubs!

Day 2 was by far the most surreal day. We were called to go and help with putting out a fire in the park, this involved creating a big fire break to stop the fire reaching other parts of the park (yes fighting fire with fire). So my job was to set fire to a large area and keep burning it, till I looked back and the wind changed direction by 90 degrees. This took the flames over the road and within seconds the fire was now out of control. After several hours of more burning and flapping at flames with tree branches, the fire was out. This fire had burned 50% of the Ngamo site and there was a lot of people trying to ensure the lions were safe. It was a worrying time as you cannot just get out of the vehicles and shoo the lions to safety. In the end they didn’t appear bothered by it all particularly AT1 the cub. 30% of the whole park was burned to a crisp and I was told it was their worst ever fire, but 2 weeks later the green shoots of grass started to appear.

Milo roaring

The Ngamo pride

Random photos from the trip

I have been playing with a technique of photography called HDR (High Dynamic Range). Using a DSLR camera you create 3 images 1 under exposed, 1 over and 1 normal and “nit” them together with software. No filters, no fancy stuff, just unusual photos..

Orchid

late late late…
Kerrs Pink
Desiree
Nicola

It has been a fairly crappy last 12 months or so with the tank. A few dead corals because I am stupid and a few because of bad luck. Had a 2-3 week period while I was on holiday where the lights were on 24×7 and lost some stuff and took several months for the tank to recover..

Still having a major fight with bubble algae so yesterday bought a emerald crab, so let’s see.

Next our sand is shite! had to syphon most of it out a few weeks ago to totally wash it.. I just cannot get the flow right with the 2 Korallia Evos, might even buy a nano Powerhead to stick at the bottom.
Also still got a god damn issue with vibrations through the tank/cabinet from the Powerheads, depends where I put them, wish the tank wasn’t so close to the walls now, as I suspect that is the issue

Skimmer has never skimmed, so it is switched off.. I guess I really should buy a new one, but money is so tight, as we just had the kitchen ripped out and started from scratch… over budget, say no more..

I’ve learned a big lesson, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS stick down corals, I lost some due to my stupidity..

Also our 2 leathers were looking great until about 5 weeks ago, haven’t opened since then and they are alive as they curl up etc still odd..

Long day

Lion Walk

Start/Finish : Rudby Church
Total length : 6.47 miles
Time taken : 2.5 Hours

A quick walk to get us walking again. Slightly longer than expected

Rudby Walk

Well after battling with loads of different Algaes and to try and get the tank stable after the lights were on 24×7 for 2 weeks, while we were on holiday, we decided to buy something new.  Meet Kafara the Six Line Wrasse. Also for the 1st time we managed to get a decent shot of Toby the Goby. Looks like the finger leather coral has died and didn’t like all the light

Need some more Coral but cash strapped at the moment.