Bush breakfast day................

The early morning wake up call..........groggy and still tired, roll out of the oh so comfy bed, splash water on the face.  Knock on the door and a smiling lady enters with coffee, tea, dipping snacks.  Pull on bush clothes, grab bug spray (only got one mosquito bite during my entire safari, yeah!), shower waits until return from morning game drive.  Swig the coffee, grab the cameras, bush hat, scarf - mornings chilly - off we go.

This leopard was not invited to attend our 'bush breakfast'.............we caught up with her later that morning!

The previous evening we were asked what we'd like our picnic basket to hold.  There it was waiting in the back seat and, at 6:30 AM, we were wrapped in warm blankets and on the trail to a dry sandy river bed. Gordon, our guide, checked the area which was open and safe (well that's what we hoped!), set up a table, poured the tea and coffee, and in no time we were devouring fresh baked croissants and fruit muffins, hard boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and juice.......one gets such an appetite in the fresh air.

Notice ladies, real plates and silverware too!

Gordon, Jen and Paula chowing down!

That's the 'bush toilet' in the background, behind the large rock, which of course Gordon also checked out first! He did find lion and elephant tracks - and now as I'm writing this I'm thinking how the heck was I brave enough to get out of the vehicle, actually woof down and thoroughly enjoy that food, and then take a walk to the loo behind that rock when who knows what could have been watching me or my back----!!!!  Somehow I became fearless on safari - guess I just decided to enjoy it all no matter what because it could have been my one and only chance!

Unfortunately Babs missed this exciting early morning game drive.  She came down with a bronchial infection and we thought the chilly air would not be good for her.  She also stayed behind a few other times because we needed her to be well to make the long flight home later in the week..........although, in all honesty, I was almost hoping we could stay longer while getting her healthy again!  Who would actually want to leave this special place?

We packed up and headed off on the trail.  Baboons were very active in the surrounding trees and often it was difficult to get good shots as they are quick, swinging through the branches, chattering noisily.........

...........however this guy sat still for a while pondering the ups and downs of life in the bush no doubt..............

.......and was then joined by his affectionate lady.

Speaking of ladies, this young female leopard was gorgeous. 

She came so close, crossing in front of us - that's the steering wheel of our Land Rover - walking quietly across the trail.......

...................we went off road, following her through the bush.  She often stopped and we were able to get some great shots - love those whiskers and eyelashes.

After a while she, like us, was getting tired.  We left her resting in the grass and we moved on to other pursuits.

For great photos of the handsome young male leopard seen earlier on my safari trip in Botswana, go here.