The 2021 Africa Journals, Chapter 32: In Which Water Reigns

 

Chapter 32:

In Which WAter Reigns

 

"There is language going on out there- the language of the wild. Roars, snorts, trumpets, squeals, whoops, and chirps all have meaning derived over eons of expression… We have yet to become fluent in the language -and music- of the wild.”--Boyd Norton, nature photographer

 

O-Dark-O'clock again as we ventured out on the savannah of the Naboisho Conservancy. It is only 6:09 when I took the photo below of wildebeest on the horizon as dawn began.

 

    

Forty-five minutes later, overcast made silhouettes on the horizon still possible.

Before I forget--again-- Naboisho is pronounced nah-BOY-show in the Maa language of the area.   Easy.

By the time is was daylight, we were at the watering hole and wildebeest were arriving from all around.   There is a hippo that spends the daylight hours in this pond and every time it raised its nostrils above the water to take a breath, the wildebeest panicked.

It took the much more intelligent zebra to let the wildebeest that it was okay to approach the pond and drink.

The wildebeest were unconvinced and waited to see if the zebra were attacked by the pond monster.

But eventually.....

We journeyed to a different watering hole and found lions.

The photographer's dream pose!   Unfortunately, a breeze kept the surface water disturbed and good reflections were not to be had.

This lion had his eye on a female that was moving away from the pond.

 

Of course, I looked around for birds.

Sandpiper.

I think these are sand grouse.

Sandpiper.

 

 

 

 

 

At another pond, wildebeest were gathering from different directions.

 

  

 

Although unusual in appearance, I think their coloration makes then highly photogenic.

And for breakfast in the field this day:   Scotch eggs, cinnamon roles, and mixed fresh fruit.

All while this vervet kept an eye on us.

Next:   Cheetahs like you won't believe!!!!