Again at sunset the Quelea produced this amazing performance at Banyini pan. But that wasn’t really what my day was about, although it did round it off rather nicely together with the stunning sunset at Hartebeest pan.
Sitting on the steep bank of the Chiredzi river under a huge Nyala berry with my feet in the soft sand of an elephant slide and I’m in my element. It’s peaceful as I watch our elephant herd on the far bank, not really up to much, just resting in the shade where they’ve been for the last 4 hours.
I’m in my own world, all alone out here. Monkeys are chattering up river, possibly raising the alarm because of a leopard in the area or maybe even a Crowned eagle. But that doesn’t alarm me. I’ve done this many a day. All this tranquility to myself.
Out there the heat is oppressive but in my shady spot I’m comfortable especially with the slight breeze that is wafting up from the river. It is no wonder the elephant haven’t ventured from their positions.
I wander down to the river and, being sure to find a shallow spot, deep water could conceal crocodiles, I soak my feet. Little fish swim by and nibble on my toes and it tickles. Then ‘plop’, a Pied Kingfisher dives into the water after it’s prey but is soon fluttering away without success and again hovering motionless meters above the water having again located prey. But no, it must have disappeared and my little friend flies off upstream.
I’m tired too and dose off, but am soon awakened by a screaming elephant. It sounds like our little guy’s sister is being punished again as she just can’t understand why she must be weaned now that she has a new little brother.
My jump back to life sends little ripples of panic through the bush around me. A little warbler bleats it’s alarm call at me and it’s chorus is soon taken up by a tree squirrel frantically shouting and flagging his tail at me. And then the usual “Go Away” from the Grey Lourie, so typical of this part of the bushveld.
I move back up the bank into the deep shade on a steep elephant path and settle down on my haunches as quiet again returns.
It’s been a long waiting day today, waiting and hoping the elephant will return across the Chiredzi river, but not today. They head off west before sunset. ‘Will they be back tomorrow or when?’ I ask myself the same question most days.
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