The mighty are rising.

This morning the plains below Serena were filled with testosterone. At around 8am we came across 4 of the Notch clan (the 'sons'). They were a little restless at the entrance to the croton thickets and were glancing around the plains. It was not long until their facial expressions soon changed to a fierce and focused gaze into the distance. Evident quite some distance away was another male lion and these guys were locked on to him. Within moments all four boys started roaring, which echoed across the plains. Leaping into the action the boys pounded across the plains towards the other male. Anticipating the action ahead we moved to nearer the other male to see who it was. It was another of the Notch coalition,  He was not hanging around for anyone and made a beeline toward the Mara. We suddenly noticed the 4 boys made a change of direction and no longer toward the other male.All of a sudden 3 cheetah appeared into view, fleeing from something, it was Sita and her two lovely daughters. They has been disturbed by the commotion and were now being persued the 4 boys, but their speed an agilty ensured they were able to escape the advancing lions. One of the cheetahs (it was not possible to see which one as by now they were at some distance from us) was split from the others by the commotion but only by around 200 - 300 metres or so, Soon the single cheetah was lost from view and the remaining two moved quickly from the area, Later on two were sighted again in the afternoon, the third not visible. However, it is highly possible she was around and close to the other two but perhaps merely out of sight as the temperature was still very hot, maybe she was resting in the long grass (we hope so!) Our attention soon turned back to the fleeing male, he had disappeared out of sight and with the distraction of the cheetah the 4 males stopped and looked around and had lost focus of their original plans. Thinking that maybe the other male had crossed the river we tracked up and down the river. Then across the river bank we saw the male, in a flash he had already crossed over the Mara!.  Walking along the opposite banks he started roaring, was he calling Notch for reinforcement (who we think is maybe still across the river or was he responding to the advancing males?). What was interesting was that the 4 boys did not respond at all to his roars. Given that these boys are part of the same unit this behaviour was incredibly fascinating. Perhaps it was a case of 'mistaken identity' as they were spotted together a day or so ago (we have often seen lions act agreesively to other family menbers at a distance) or perhaps there are tensions that are begining to fracture this strong coalition. Or perhaps it is simply to much testosterone as the boys approach their prime. 
This evening we found the 4 boys again, where we have left them earlier. They were relaxed in their gait and meandered through the bushes, scent marking along the way to reafirm their territory. They moved only a short distance whilst gazing casually over in the direction of the river. Only to then collapse into a pile and fall asleep. It is here we left them. Will they cross over the river tonight,? we are sure the night sounds will reveal all!. Meanwhile as I conclude this blog we can hear a lone buffalo in the thicket nearby, perhaps a little grumpy that tonight he has to share his space with us!