Battle is joined

Our workshop leader isn’t sharing the information that someone has been sitting in these very hides in the Bulgarian mountains for several days before us and has seen absolutely nothing apart from an eagle for five minutes. At least not yet. I think we’d all find that a little disappointing.

We have been lucky. An advance party of Griffon Vultures has landed and now a small family of Golden Jackals are here. I think there might be three Jackals although it’s difficult to tell because they are so well camouflaged. They are mobile and not always on this side of the rocky outcrop.

The Jackals and Vultures seem to co-exist peacefully until the moment they don’t. There is food here and aggression leads to a greater chance of their survival. One Golden Jackal wrinkles its nose back and snarls. Vultures lean their heads forward and spread their wings. There is ritual in their intimidation.

The Jackal runs past the crowd causing a commotion as huge Griffon Vultures attempt to intimidate it or get out of its way.

I wouldn’t like to be anywhere near the Jackal’s teeth or the Vulture’s beak and claws.

I think they probably feel the same way about each other, too.

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