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| There's a whole log available, but the terrapins all want the same space |
I celebrated my
birthday last Thursday at Umlani Bushcamp in the Timbavati Nature Reserve. One
of the highlights was a chance to spend a couple of hours on my own in a
treehouse hide overlooking Marco’s Dam.
There’s something
about being alone in the wilds of Africa, something precious. Not another
person around, not a single dwelling, no mechanical sounds or smells. Just
nature. Just you.
From my elevated
perch, I looked out across the landscape and waited. Gradually my eyes took in
the greater picture on the far side of the dam: a pair of African hawk eagles and a juvenile bateleur
scanning for prey, a grey heron stalking the edge of the dam, a flock of
guineafowl hugging the bushes for shade, a crocodile soaking up the sun’s heat.
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| Impala mirrors |
I turned to look behind me and realised that a herd of impala had magically appeared. Slowly they made their way around the dam, grazing the short grass before slaking
their thirst and giving me a chance to admire their reflections in the water.
On the far side, a
giraffe with a wonky ear ambled up and bent down awkwardly to drink her fill.
So ungainly when stooping low, so regal at full stretch. Again and again, she lowered her mouth to the water then raised it up to swallow and gaze around, droplets splashing between her contorted legs.
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| So ungainly, so regal |
Out of the corner of
my eye I spotted more movement. A male steenbok picked his way across the
grassy plain, his little pointed horns carried proudly upright. It gave me a thrill
to know that this secretive little creature was completely oblivious to the
fact that he was being watched.
What a way to mark a
birthday, surrounded by Nature’s gifts.
