Cape Buffalo and Zebra Africa
Oct 10, 2020 12:54:08 #
Retired CPO wrote:
That's one of those things that you don't know about your self until you're right in the middle of it. I had the "opportunity" to find that out about myself with a Brown Bear in Alaska. It was resolved peacefully with no shots fired and every one involved lived to see another day. But I did have to sit down and wait for my knees to stop shaking after it was all over.
You are exactly right. We never know what we are going to do until the, "Moment", arises. I suspect there is a bit of Francis McComber in all of us. But the vast majority of men and women are capable of overcoming their fears and do what is necessary at that defining moment.
Just by reading your name, Retired CPO, I would have suspected you would have done just fine in your situation. You have apparently done well in other situations so this one, while being somewhat knee shaking, was just another notch in getting on in years.
I have/had read of Cape buffalo taking up to 11 hits before stopping a determined charge, even with some bullets being perfectly placed. But I know there is a difference in putting a bullet perfectly the first time and shutting down the animal's system compared to the animal doing all it can do to survive after a poorly placed first shot.
Glad you are still with us. We would have missed some interesting writing from you.
Dennis
Oct 10, 2020 13:09:18 #
dennis2146 wrote:
You are exactly right. We never know what we are ... (show quote)
Yeah, I'm glad I'm still around too, it's good to hear I'm not the only one! I'm not sure how much "interesting writing" I've been able to share in the interim but it's been offered freely and I have appreciated the appreciation of it.Yep, once the limbic system is fired up 100% it's a lot harder to shut it back down. And a lot scarier.
Be safe Dennis
Oct 10, 2020 13:12:48 #
Retired CPO wrote:
img src="https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/s... (show quote)
Thanks. You too.
Dennis
Oct 11, 2020 19:52:20 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Hi Bluefish. Lions. It takes several of them and it's a dangerous mission with no guarantees. But the payoff is huge. Several days worth of gorging on meat if they succeed. And then the hyenas and jackals get a share. There was a skull and ribcage of a buffalo laying out next to one of the tracks that the Land Cruisers used to get out into the bush each day. Sort of a grim reminder that no-one get's out alive.
Wow Chief, it’s either a brutal or perfect world out there depending on ones perspective. Thanks for the info.
Oct 11, 2020 20:02:34 #
Bluefish wrote:
Wow Chief, it’s either a brutal or perfect world out there depending on ones perspective. Thanks for the info.
Actually, Bluefish I think it's a lot of both.
Oct 12, 2020 14:44:56 #
Retired CPO wrote:
This gives you an idea of the size of the Cape Buffalo. The zebras are the size of a horse. It looks like the Buffalo are nearly twice as big. Maybe more! This is from a folder of photos from Africa that I haven't posted yet.
holy cow and wow! they are huge. that's a great shot too!
Oct 12, 2020 18:11:28 #
merrytexan wrote:
holy cow and wow! they are huge. that's a great shot too!
Thanks very much, Texan. Yeah, sitting there in the Land Cruiser about 50 feet from them, it was easy to see how BIG they were. But when I got back from Africa I was trying to think of a way to show people who saw the photos how big they were with nothing to compare them to. One day I was going through some of the photos for probably the tenth time and it struck me all of a sudden. Most people know roughly how big a horse is and zebras are horse sized. Aha! a measuring stick! Hey, I admit I'm slow sometimes but I usually get there if I keep trying!
I'm glad you liked the photo, I like it a lot too.
Oct 12, 2020 18:13:20 #
Oct 17, 2020 12:23:33 #
Oct 18, 2020 09:58:24 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.