I haven’t flown for a while and what a pleasure it was this morning. It was pretty chilly up there but that too meant it was lovely and stable. Just the best flying conditions.
I picked up the elephants first thing to the south of the hills. Mission accomplished I went flying for pleasure.
Over Malilangwe dam where the trees stood like skeletons held up in the water.
Then my favourite, flying down the Chiredzi River. There weren’t many animals to see down that way but the sandy riverbed is awash with animal tracks.
Further down a herd of buffalo were drinking but unfortunately the sound of this huge bird disturbed them.
This morning I went all the way down to the Runde River. I haven’t flown down there before. The river is incredibly wide, nearly 500m, and sandy with a narrow winding watercourse. I flew low level down the river my wheels barely off the sands. What an exhilarating experience!
With my feet back on the ground I picked up the elephant herds feeding in the mopanie south west of Ganyani. Mandlovu was there with her family and Chipfongwe sure is growing, already his little tusks are showing. He’s now 22months old.
Several families were together feeding in the mopanie, about 30 elephants in total.
The bull Tuchem was there too. I haven’t seen him for ages, but he hadn’t forgotten me and for the rest of the day would repeatedly come right up to the car touching it gently.
When I was filming these little guys playing I suddenly felt the car move and turned around to find Tuchem at the back giving me a little nudge.
Although I haven’t worked with the elephants for several months, it was like I had left them yesterday. Well except that Chip had grown, but the herds were totally accepting of my presence feeding all around the car.
Really just so cool to be around these amazing animals again.
Towards sunset they were headed to Simbiri dam, a stunning location in the rocks. I raced ahead of them and got set up at the dam. The light was perfect and I was in the perfect spot, but no elephants. They really hadn’t read the script today.
Just as I was putting my camera away as the light had faded and was now too dark to film, the elephants came in in single file to drink! (They just don’t get it, do they?!)
His first whiff of petrol-not very pleasant. I can relate. I try not to breathe when I fill up my tank. By the way, gasoline is just under $4.00 up here in Massachusetts. What do you pay per gallon in your neck of the woods?
Great shots, despite the low numbers of animals. At least there are still tons of signs of them. It must have been amazing to reconnect with your old friend Tuchem. I guess elephants don’t forget.
Kim –
Someone may have asked you this elsewhere but what do you think about the decision to approve ivory sales to China?
Thanks.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm…………………………. this is a long one. One day I’ll post my views. Will take me some time to write it all up. I think there’s good and bad in it.