We came across this pack of celebrating hyena, a territorial battle had taken place next to a river and this group must have won,,, they seemed on top of the world… not the most beautiful animal, but it has its uses…
The hyena is known for its bone crushing jaw, no bone is left un-turned… (I’m getting so clever now)
It is often referred to as the laughing hyena as its chatter can be misconstrued as a laugh….
The Hyena is thought to be a scavenger, and yes it is, BUT… in a pack it is one of the most proficient hunts in the veld….
The young are known to fight in the den and often the weakest never make it to adulthood, but then nature is all about survival of the fittest and strongest…. Packs of hyenas have chased lions off their kill, even treeing the cats, but they are weary of doing that if a male lion is present… he doesn’t like it… there is a fantastic film often shown on National Geographics called “Eternal Enemies” its about lion and Hyena, watch it… absolutely brilliant…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Iv’e heard tales that hyenas make horrid sounds. Have you heard them? and is it even true?
There is nothing nicer than hearing the chatter of the hyena at night, the laughter and the deadly call to arms of the pack when needed… I sit and await it every night when in the bush, it tells me I’m where I love to be… yes it can be scary if you’re not sure what is making the sound, but to me it is the sounds you listen for every night to tell you the hunt has begun…
I am so glad to once again be drooling over your amazing photographs Bulldog. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn I did enjoy this shoot, not often one is given the chance to see so many together in one place and then not in a hurry to disappear…
The pictures are fantastic, especially the last one, where he shows some cuteness. I always feel sorry for them, because nobody really likes them, but they’re really quite cute, I think 🙂
Thank you… they are fascinating animals .. i love to watch them…
National Geographic Magazine should hire you Rob. Great pics as ever.
Thank you..
Good to see photos of them in their natural habitat.
Thanks Brian… not often seen but this trip was exceptional…
I love them, love them, love them ❤ Can you imagine how huge they can get? In Saxonia we were in a Zoo and they had a few. Two of them were lying in front of us – impressive 😀
Thank you so much,,, had a bit of a panicky moment when one of them decided to taste the bumper of the vehicle…
They look rather shifty…not unlike some people I’ve known in my former academic life. 😉
I’ve known a few of those as well…
Haven’t we all…unfortunately…
I find hyenas fascinating. I saw a documentary on Animal Planet awhile back (Growing up Hyena) and ever since then I’ve been very partial to them. You captured some excellent pics…especially the third from the top of the hyena looking over its shoulder. The lighting on that one really highlights their beautiful markings
Thank you so much…
OK. He’s kind of cute. And the lighting is nice.
Aaaah thank you Carol, you’ve just made my day… now I’m smiling…
I think hyenas get a bad rap, they’re just doing what they were made to do. 🙂 Great captures Bulldog!
Thanks Jewels .. I do agree with you on that about the bad rap… interesting animals actually…
Excellent photos of a fascinating creature, Rob.
Thanks Naomi…
I’ve seen Eternal Enemies (hubby has watched just about every documentary on Africa ever made! LOL)
These are great shots and the hyena is not a popular animal (not cute and cuddly) – but like all animals in the wild they play a very important role in ecosystem and population control.
You are so right Dianne… it has its place and yet has so much more to it than meets the eye… man I’d love to meet your hubby he sounds my type of man… typical Aussie…
I’ve seen a steel chest ripped open by one of them…there was food inside and the had to have it. That jaw strength is truly impressive!
It surely must be one of the strongest jaws in the wild… probably after the croc and hippo…
So glad you mentioned the Joubert’s “Eternal Enemies”. It’s one of my all time favourite documentaries, and that closing sequence when the lion bears down on the hyena still gives me the chills everytime I see it.
I have the DVD in my cabinet and watch it often… the last scene often gets a cheer from me… almost has that – the bully getting his arse kicked – feel to it…
fab shots as usual!!
Thanks Cindy
Great shots….not my favorite animal either…..too much Lion King, I guess. 🙂
Yes they have got a rotten deal out of that movie… but then someone had to be the baddie…
Great pics, Bulldog, and thanks for sharing all the info too.
Thanks Vicki
Great pictures of my not-so-favourite animal.
Thanks Anneli…(says he with a big smile on his face)
Great photos and loving all the info bulldog!
Diana xo
Thanks Diana..
Dang! all your captures are outstanding! And Steve too was really impressed as I showed him your photography!
Thanks you both…
Please don’t forget the film industry’s tribute to hyenas in their depiction of “The Lion King.” (They’re the bad guys.)
They are not as bad as in the Lion King… lol… felt they got the bad end of the stick there, but then in the film industry some of the stars turn out to be baddies that actually are not in real life… I know what you mean Ronnie, thanks for the comment, join me here to see how wonderful this animal is…
Another set of stunning images. They don’t look that mean, but then, neither do some humans. I still wouldn’t want to invite them over for tea. If I ever get to your neck of the woods, I’ll remember to steer clear of hyenas.
Thanks Gena… much misalignment is credited to this animal, actually a wonderfully complex animal worth a good study…