Darryl had just left camp to follow up on the sure to be sleeping lions, while I was catching up on office work, when the heavens opened. He was able to take cover and sit it out.
An hour later he ventured east looking for the lions but was caught short. The dry clays had turned to heavy mud and there was no way he would get anywhere near the lions. We called it a night.
In the early hours another storm struck. Plenty more rain to make conditions even worse out there.
I ventured out after sunrise keeping to the hills where the soils are more sandy. It was here I came across all these red velvet mites. With the soils being soaked they’d come out of hiding but instead of moving around individually they were all over each other. At least 15 mites at a time. This was weird behaviour and who knows what it’s all about. Anyway they all seemed to be having fun.
(And don’t miss Pat Keegan’s take on them mites)
More baby impala keep popping out the woodlands but still no luck with a birth.
Under these conditions one can almost be certain to find the elephants in the Albizia woodlands on the sandy soils. And this big dude was there. A truly impressive tusker.
These bulls were feeding mainly on all the creepers that abound at this time of year.
Then the big dude dug into the sandy soils, went down on his knees and with his tusks rooted out some bulbous roots. A delicacy it seems.
Tuchem arrived on the scene and in his usual way came over to say Hi! Today this was a gentle touch on the bull bar with his tusk. But then he decided to go further and lean his tusk and trunk on the bonnet of my car. He was just testing/playing and backed off when I told him too. I really enjoy the dude as he seems to seek me out if I’m in the area and always come to say hi.
Leaving me he went to greet the big dude, which was more like making a trunk call.
Soon after midday the skies darkened again and I ducked back to camp for the rest of the day.
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