Wildcast

A soft drizzle set in all morning making working in the field really miserable but by midday it had lifted and by sunset it had almost cleared.

And that of course meant ideal conditions for flying ants. They came out in clouds. Yes I mean clouds. I drove for about 3kms on the Orphan road in a cloud of flying ants. I’ve never seen such an incredible eruption. No doubt the frogs, geckos, mice, owls, nightjars, dikkops and many others will be having a massive feast tonight. Not to mention the locals who will be collecting them in bucket loads to eat.

I had a rought time following Mandlovu and her herd as the bush has thickened almost over night as all the trees have flushed in new leaf. Suddenly our brown drab landscape has come alive.

And Chipfongwe has come alive too. With more elephants around he is now finding himself a few playmates. It’s just so cute to see him trying out his different ways of wanting to play.

But the herd were in a strange mood today. It seemed as if something must have disturbed them earlier ‘cos as I approached they all stood tall giving me that stern look with heads held high and tusks to the sky. All rather threatening. Then they took off. I followed slowly and when I caught up to them they were fine for the rest of the day.

At sunset they all grouped together and headed west with a purpose. I followed. They picked up speed and were shortly all running west. Then the herd split into 3 groups still running. I followed Mandlovu and her herd. Only after about 3kms did they settle down and start walking. Then suddenly all motionless they listened. I could hear elephants rumbling further to the west. Mandlovu followed up. As it got dark I had to abandon them, so who knows where they were heading with such eagerness.