Elephants are so huge powerful animals, and yet they seem so calm and graceful as they go about their activities.
We suddenly came upon a dam:
And there were the elephants, on the other side of the expanse of water. So we stopped the car to watch them for a while, to see what they were up to.
I have put the photos in sequence, so you can see how they moved about doing their thing.
A crocodile catching a sun tan!
While watching the elephants taking a drink, we became aware of a crocodile quietly sun bathing on the shore of the dam, not far from the elephants.
You don’t see it at first because it’s a similar colour to the surround sand it’s lying on.
Impala buck were there too:
That is, on the far side of the dam. They also came down to the dam to drink. But you could see they were a tiny bit nervous with the crocodile lying right there.
Unexpectedly a hippo popped up:
It must have been swimming under water and just came up for air and check the situation above water. I’m sure he was creeping up to see who was poaching on his turf.
As suddenly as it came, it submerged again. Leaving just its eyes above the surface of the water, looking like an innocent log just floating there.
And calm as you please:
There were a few ducks on our side of the dam and one swimming happily on the dam water too! Obvious it wasn’t concerned with the choc asleep on the far bank!
The croc couldn’t have been that hungry if it allowed the ducks to swim unmolested! Perhaps it prefers something much larger!
Actually that duck was an Egyptian goose. We have quite a lot in south Africa. Even in out town gardens and city parks.
Two worlds in one:
Here in the wilds of Africa, peace and danger ride alongside each other.
The scene before us looked so peaceful and serene. You would think it was `home sweet home’ the way they all behaved so calmly as you please.
It’s amazing that they can be so calm. When they could be in danger of their lives at any moment! With death awaiting those who are lax in their vigilance.
Sorry there wasn’t any activity or drama, we got somewhat bored after a while, and pushed off in our car.
It was some time before we saw anything along the road. And then, there in the distance, we saw…
A lone elephant:
He wasn’t moving. Perhaps he was sleeping?
But when I zoomed in with my camera, he looked so much more majestic.
Maybe if I get time one day, I’ll paint a large dramatic oil painting of him.