Spring bustles along here in full bloom; the flowers in riotous colour. The Bontebok antelope are in the midst of their calving season and the adults are skittish and protective of their newly born fawns.
A skirmish between a Bontebok male and a baboon quietly foraging nearby turned into a surprising joust as the baboon strayed too close to a heavily pregnant Bontebok female.
A baboon strays too close to the Bontebok buck.
The charge as the Bontebok chases the baboon.
The pace picks up and the baboon flees.
The Bontebok catches up with the baboon and thrusts with his horns.
Ma Bontebok waddles to safety, heavily pregnant.
The newly born Bontebok young are on their feet within minutes of birth; up and ready to go.
Nature on the Edge 
I enjoy your blog and your wonderful photos so much! Thank you for sharing.
Jane
(A fan from Canada!)
Thank you, nice to know that we can reach out across the miles through the ether! I enjoyed a little ramble over to your blog 🙂
A beautiful series of photos. The baby calves? look so cute.
Thanks Colline – was happy to strike it lucky with the timing to capture the young bontebokkies. Yes, that was a bit of a slip referring to them as calves!
I wasn’t sure what to call them 🙂
I think bontebok fawns would be correct – but I’m not sure either!
Great action shots, Liz. The young must be very vulnerable at birth… the buck is taking no chances!
It was interesting to see this protective reaction. Generally the two species happily co-exist.
Beautiful bouncy babies! Just a little over two months from now we’ll come have a look at them ourselves!
:). There’s been enough rain too to green up the vegetation so bontebok does are looking fatter – thank goodness. I’m detecting a bit of excitement there over your forthcoming visit. I’ll send my contact details nearer your arrival. Are you staying in the south peninsula? The traffic at peak season is very trying. It’s a good idea to get to CP early or later afternoon. COGH gates open at 6am and close at sunset. Boulders and Silvermine are also popular – have to plan for the wind!
beautiful capture……
Thanks Sudhir.
Wonderful recording of spring and these animals. Nature!
Thanks Anne, revelling in it all. It’s a deliciously dynamic time of the year for nature observers 🙂
Wonderful photos. Loved the series with the baboon. How amazing to have this in your back yard.
Alison
Yes, very lucky to be able to have a daily dose of a nature fix 🙂
That must have been scary to watch!
Yes, one minute a calm scene to a mad jousting bontebok. Generally they’re so placid. The baboon wasn’t hurt fortunately, but did he protest! Loudly.
I just joined your block, but I really enjoy your photos photos
Thanks Helmi, tell me little about yourself? I was to return the gesture and checked out your blog, but there is nothing there! I’m curious to know why you’re blogging?