Stranded again
Despite watching the multiple murder attempts documented in the last chapter, we felt it time to kill ourselves a chapati or two, with a modicum of vino and possibly a small siesta. Not forgetting the coffee of course.
The local birdlife looked on in wonder.
As did some of the local behemoths. This was no time to be taking a siesta.
We found ourselves once more in a memory of elephants. Time to keep quiet and reduce body odour.
These guys had been reducing their own body odour by taking a bath in the mud of the Mara.
And in the same way as dogs after a muddy adventure, they rolled in the dust to give themselves that extra glow.
Cleaning under the trunk is clearly an important process.
As was getting at those intimate bits.
Scratching armpits is a bit tricky.
And what he is now trying to do, I've no idea. This photo needs a caption. All offers gratefully accepted.
Then finish off with the elephant version of a cuddle.
Then it's time for a run around.
And just before heading off...
...there's just enough time to moon at the tourists.
Watching all this elephant/dog/delinquant behaviour meant that we arrived late at another crossing, just seeing the last wildebeest escape. Leaving behind a graveyard.
Having previously noted the danger to elephants trunks from passing crocs, here's the living proof.
Surprisingly, he seems to be getting by ok even with a truncated trunk.
Further on, these guys were just about to pass by a small sand river. They seemed a little nervous.
Here is what they could see.
Nothing much.
But they sensed danger.
There was something there, in the bushes.
They ran for it.
Charging across the danger zone as one beast with a hundred stomping feet.
The final wildebeest escaped, unscathed.
What was it that spooked them?
What was hiding in the undergrowth?
We needed to find out.
Was it this hyena?
No. He was just a hopeful onlooker.
Here was the hidden predator.
He started to pace along the river's sandy bed.
We struggled to keep up with him on the opposite bank.
He then climbed up the banking, disappearing into the dense undergrowth.
He then reappeared on a ledge near the top of the banking.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could get a closer look?
Ian thought so too. He drove down the steep banking and onto the sandy riverbed itself!
Now we could get a closer look.
Then Ian tried to get even closer.
Erm.
Not a good idea.
We were stuck. The tyres had buried themselves in the sand.
We were stranded again...
This time there was help at hand. Simply attach a tow rope and hey presto!
Nothing happened.
We were still stuck.
Close to a leopard and not close to a toilet.
Whilst the leopard looked on in amusement at all this messing about, Ian decided that rash tactics were called for. He rocked the jeep back and forth until one tire gained enough grip... for us to go further into the sand!
But his time he did not stop, he accelerated instead, allowing him to turn towards the banking at speed and, well, cross his fingers...
We bounced up the side of the banking, turned into an easier channel, and made our escape.
I now know what it feels like to be a wildebeest...
We bid farewell to the leopard and to the other jeeps. All of whom had been looking on in wry amusement.
Thanks guys.
It was now quite late, but we still had time for one final crossing. This time... elephants!
They gently picked their way amongst the rocks.
Until they came to the rivers edge.
Would they go for it?
Yes they would!
And there was the photo I had long waited for!
I felt that some Jungle Book music was called for.
And out the other side.
The sun was in its last moments. The day had been the most eventful day ever!
Time to get that sundowner shot.
Got it!
Good night all.
Next Chapter: Interlude, The Bloody Mara.
Did you and Annick sing "Never Smile at a Crocodile" ?
ReplyDelete