The cutest things!

When I was just about to finish work and go for an evening walk, I got caught in a conversation with a colleague. At the time I could eventually break free, the sun was already quite low. I was discussing with myself, if I should still go, or rather postpone it. As much as I like this time of the time to go out for a walk, it was already a bit late. The distance itself can easily be made in fourty minutes, so I would have been back right in time before it was getting dark, but you never know what you see outside that delays your return. And this is not worth the risk to get stuck in the bush in the dark.

So I decided to rather just go to the hide behind the camp. It is not even a ten minutes walk but it brings you to a nice little hide with a stunning view on the reserve and with a small dam on the other side. It is a good spot to breath and relax and be mindful for some time.

To get to the hide, I must only walk along the path on the ridge behind our communal kitchen. It is a short distance, but with the high grass at the moment, it cannot be walked fast. I rather be careful and watch out for any snakes that may hide here.

I was looking forward for a relaxed half an hour, watching the sunset and all the thousands of Red-billed queleas that had arrived two weeks ago. These small birds are the most abundand ones in the world and migrated for their main natural food source: seeds of the annual grasses. We hear and see them all they long now, but especially in the mornings and evenings, they meet here at the dam to sleep in the trees. Spectacular when they come in swarms of hundreds of birds.

Anyway … I had been walking for a couple of metres only, when I noticed a movement to my left-hand side. When turning my head, I saw a little something sticking out of a termite mound.

A cute little mongoose head …

It seemed to be curious, but was also very alert, moving his head up and down so better see what’s going on out there and I heard some churring here and then. This obviously awakened the curiosity of others in there and quickly, another two heads showed up.

It was amazing to watch and listen to them. So many different sounds and those cute and curious faces.

I really hope they will be around for some more time, but usually they change their dens every some days. I will keep an eye on it.

I could have stayed there for hours but did not want to disturb them for too long and decided to continue my way to the hide. When I got up, there was a lot of excitement, which I could tell from the chirping that came out the termite mound. They all quickly disappeared, just to stick their heads out again to see what I am doing.

After a last look, I said good-bye for today but promised myself to visit them again tomorrow.

Got curious about the life of the Banded Mangoose? More HERE.

There was not much time left to spend in the hide, but for it was still worth to end the day there, to see the colours change in the sky, to see all the birds finding their spot for the night, and to enjoy the wideness of the Waterberg Conservancy.