Written by Nick Milne (Bumi Hills GM)
Amazing electrical storms...
My headline photograph this edition is of an amazing electrical storm which moved across the lake recently. The static build up at the beginning of every wet season always produces phenomenal lightning displays which are viewed best from up at the lodge offering an uninterrupted view out across the lake. This particular bolt of lightning is an estimated 40km away showing just how much electricity is discharged with a single bolt!
Oliver colonises his piece of Africa!
In typically inquisitive elephant fashion, Oliver, one of the bulls resident around Bumi Hills, could not resist investigating what had been going on at the waterhole in front of the lodge. We have recently raised the retaining walls around the waterhole, enlarged it and stocked it with fish. After Oliver had inspected the new improved retaining wall he strode through the water onto what has now been named ‘Oliver’s island’ where he spent over an hour surveying his new domain much to the disgust of the resident baboon troop who were unable to enjoy their daily swim because of his presence. He obviously grew lonely and not long after I took this shot he waded back through the water and melted into the lush green vegetation!
Red winged starlings hatch three chicks...
Right back in Edition 1 of the Tales of Bumi my headline photo was of the resident pair of red winged starlings having a late evening bath in the infinity pool at the lodge. This same pair are now the proud parents of three noisy chicks! The pair who normally roost on a beam in the restaurant have been missing for the past month and we had begun to fear the worst until we spotted them on their newly built nest in the car port outside the lodge reception. The parents are very domesticated and spend most mornings flying from one lamp shade to the next in the courtyard of the lodge, picking out all the insects attracted by the light on the previous night. The chicks are growing incredibly quickly with this plentiful food supply and have almost outgrown their nest!
Christmas spirit hits Bumi Hills...
With just a week until Christmas day we have spent a lot of time recently gearing the lodge up for the festive season... the anti-poaching unit gave me an early Christmas present by revealing what they have been secretly working on for the last month without my knowledge... A giant Christmas tree made entirely out of snares collected on the estate and illegal gill netting from the lake. We have also launched a special offer on accommodation over the Christmas period and had confirmation that Santa will be stopping in at the lodge to drop off gifts for all the well behaved children!
The WiyaWiya Project...
The WiyaWiya Project was started in September 2011 in an attempt to earn much needed revenue for the unit from the 4,800 wire and cable snares that have been recovered in the last year. With the assistance of Zimbabwean artist, Susan Cottrell the anti poaching scouts and other staff members learnt the basics of wire sculpture and are currently honing their skills before the official launch of the WiyaWiya product range in 2012. The tree is an amazing work of art, complete with natural decorations and will be the first product on sale after the festive season. It certainly is one of the best Christmas presents I have ever been given!
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