Bat-Eared Fox Page #4

---

In this part of the Kalahari,

the rains are late this year.

The land has turned to dust.

The sun wrings...

every drop of moisture

out of the land.

The wildebeest are skittish

in the heat and with good reason.

As herds gather at the riverbed,

predators follow.

In these difficult times,

the lionesses are reluctant

to share even with their own cubs.

The winds that blow now

bring only trouble.

Sand storms are on the way.

Great clouds of dust

swirl across the land.

The animals wander in a choking haze.

But the parching winds

will soon bring relief as well.

Finally, the drought breaks.

The lions luxuriate in the shower...

and the foxes get a new lease on life.

The deluge may continue off and on

for months.

In February,

the rains temporarily subside,

and a new world is revealed.

The Kalahari has been transformed.

The Nossob is once again a river, and

it will draw life from miles around.

Storks arrive in search of

the hordes of insects

that appear after the rains.

Many animals are getting

their first drink of water in months.

Springbok find a great green pasture

spread out before them.

For the foxes too, things are changing.

These are fat times for everyone.

Even nervous meerkats

will take advantage of

this season of abundance.

The fox pups are growing up.

The family no longer needs

to stay close to the den.

For Kinky, Adventure and Flash,

there's a new world to explore.

The small animals

that endured the dry season

now find themselves surrounded by

the grazing herds

that follow the summer rains.

Gemsbok, springbok, hartebeest

all return to the riverbed

in this time of plenty.

For grazers like this wildebeest,

there's a banquet at their feet.

The bat-ears, like all the animals

in this part of the Kalahari,

take advantage of the bounty.

Ajax has had

a successful day of foraging.

He's got a gecko a tiny lizard.

And he's bringing home the treat.

For the pups, this wiggly snack

will present a new challenge.

Flash is still angling

for easier meals,

but her brothers go for the gecko.

Selene is only reluctantly

willing to nurse.

The pups are getting too big.

With a full set of teeth, they are

now well equipped to chew up a lizard.

A neighboring family of cape foxes

makes its presence known.

The bat-ears aren't glad to see them.

For the first time,

Kinky and Adventure show a Cape Fox

who's in charge.

Selene gives her feisty youngsters

a grooming reward.

While Ajax always pugnacious adds

a bit of bravado to the display.

Of course,

intimidating the youngsters is easy.

It may be a different story when

the Cape Fox mother returns.

But the belligerent Ajax won't

stand for any trouble.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes