We found the elephants early this morning, including the mother with her tiny calf. So we looked forward to a day with the herd.
By 8 am as temperatures again soared the herd had taken refuge in the shade of a huge Pod Mahogany. And the little guys took advantage of this to collapse and pass out.
Even a couple of subadults followed suit while the mothers stood around slowly waving their huge ears to keep cool and occasionally throwing cool dust over themselves. All of this they seemed to do in their sleep, sleeping standing up.
Midday came and went and they were still in the shade. Luckily I’d found myself some shade too. Eventually by 5pm I threw in the towel leaving the herd in the same place, and headed down to Banyini where this huge herd of buffalo were drinking.
Once they had left and with the sun almost on the horizon the Quelea flocks came pouring in for a last drink before moving off to roost in the reedbeds.
So what do I have to show for sitting it out in this summer heat all day? Well nothing from the elephants thank you.
But the golden sunset hour produced a great spectacle of buffalo and dust and the Quelea finished it off in a flurry of feathers. So in the end I was a happy camper.
Hi dad your moves are great.
BUT DO NOT FORGET SPEACH ABOUT HARRY WOLHUTER FOR CLASS
Hi Sweetie
Looks like I’ll have to do that talk for you next year. I’m not going to be back in South Africa until you finish school this year.
So we can do it for your class next year and you can help me with it. Maybe you can even do the talk and I’ll help you. You did so well with your talk about Harry the other day! Lots of love Dad xxx