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.
Aww oh my goodness the elephants are so beautiful! It must have been incredible to see them like that! Truly amazing experience that will stay forever :)
That croc looks huge too! Kruger is full of life:) African wildlife is like no other. I can imagine the impalas being very nervous with the crocs watching!
I still can’t believe how beautiful the elephants are, I love the last photo - a majestic setting! Great post, I always look forward to your Kruger updates. Makes me want to go so bad! I look forward to the painting :)
I have a photo of a large elephant painting I did years ago. I only have a photo of it, because it was sold, sorry.
The composition was put together and created from some of the photos I took while on this Kruger trip. But you will see that later, when I get to that part in our trip. I only hope the new owner will not be cross if I show it. I know he is proud to own it, all the same.
the elephants are so delightful! It more likely than not been mind blowing to see them like that! Really astounding knowledge that will remain until the end of time.That croc looks enormous as well! Kruger is brimming with life.. African natural life resembles no other. I can envision the impalas being anxious with the crocs viewing! Regardless I can't trust how excellent the elephants are, I cherish the last photograph - a lofty setting! Incredible post, I generally anticipate your Kruger refreshes. Makes me need to go so terrible! I anticipate the sketch..@artguru..
And you know when you just drive through game parks, never actually stopping for a while, you don't see anything. But if you carefully watch the behaviour of the animals, you start to see their intentions, their nerviness, the little things they are up to, etc.
Thanks a lot for your experience..
A few people, similar to a few creatures, appear to react to some sort of sense; they appear to be not able play out a job other than that of predator, and they persistently hold up by the traffic light or by the back street until the correct unfortunate casualty goes by and as a rule there isn't a camera catching their guileful moves, and life goes on like nothing occur, an exhausting, rehashed scene in the concrete wilderness.keep it up @artguru..
I see you're comparing the behaviour of the animals, to that what happens with humans.
Out in the wilds animals don't get fed like city pets. They have to think where their next meal will come from. So they are ever aware of their surroundings and watch out for the weak and foolish.
I'm pretty sure the crocodile's intentions were different, maybe he was just thinking about relaxing and not causing any surprises at the time. In that kind of world you must be very alert to your surroundings, the photos of the elephants have been magnificent!
I'm sure too, that the crocodile was alert to what was happening around it.
Hey @artguru so very informative post to provide in this platform This made me consider the way that, similar to this creatures, we move along encompassed by potential foes. In our urban communities, it is sufficient to stop, similar to that elephant toward the end, and look, simply look.
We will in general surge when we are in a downtown territory, yet in the event that just we ceased and look mindfully we'd see the predators in activities, the advent of their insatiability.
The English have a saying: "Dog eats dag!"
For animals in the wild, they have to eat. So anything that is hurt and an easy catch, is easy meat.
But I must say, it is so sad to watch some so cute been hunted and savagely torn apart.
Extra ordinary story @artguru..Any corner in any downtown zone in Venezuela gives astounding instances of how characteristic brutality and wisdom converge in a perfect move. It is a wilderness and the supplicate should remain home, but we as a whole go out each day realizing that there are hoodlums and killers simply sitting tight for the correct minute. We are on the whole potential exploited people in urban areas swarmed by new, angry, shrewd or simply displeased individuals.
Downtown Johannesburg has a different set of `animals'. People are shocked when I catch the bus into town. But I don't carry a bag and I downplay what I wear. And like the animals in the wilds, I keep my eyes open and look alert. Especially if you have grey hair!
Wow, they are really eyes catching, all of the animals displayed were cool to some extent but I will like to ask, where is the place, pls. What part of the world? I noticed you put Africa but where in Africa?
The icon photo at the top of the post, has writing on it. It says the Kruger National Park. And that is in the Eastern Transvaal, South Africa. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. This trip through the Kruger was taken about 15 years ago. It was so exciting, that I've never forgotten how much we enjoyed our trip.
I believe there are memory better not forgotten. I love anything that depict nature in its simplicity. If man can utilize what is inherent in nature then man is bound to achieve more excellence. It is a good thing to explore nature.
Greetings @artguru.
Great pictures. I wish it all were peace and quiet all the time, as it was this time.
This made me think about the fact that, like this animals, we move along surrounded by predators/potential enemies. In our cities, it is enough to stop, like that elephant at the end, and look, just look.
We tend to rush when we are in a downtown area, but if only we stopped and look attentively we'd see the predators in actions, the imminence of their voracity.
Any corner in any downtown area in Venezuela provides amazing examples of how natural violence and sagacity merge in a flawless dance. It is a jungle and the pray should stay home, and yet we all go out every day knowing that there are thieves and murderers just waiting for the right moment. We are all potential victims in cities crowded by fresh, resentful, evil or just disgruntled people.
Some people, like some animals, seem to respond to some kind of instinct; they seem unable to perform a role other than that of predator, and they patiently wait by the traffic light or by the alley until the right victim passes by and usually there is not a camera capturing their sly moves, and life goes on like nothing happen, a boring, repeated scene in the cement jungle.
I know life is tough out there. But one thing I learnt while living out in the open countryside, is act like nothing is happening. I knew thieves were possibly watching me, sitting out in the long thatch grass. So would casually hung out the clothes on the washing line. But like been in the Kruger National Park, I would gaze with a wondering eye (like I like the weather or scenery, that sort of thing) between the trees and grass as I worked.
If you worry and behave nervously all the time, you become a nervous wreck. It affects your health, while the criminals run free!
What a great photos
Again post to create about traveling and adventure so very extra ordinary ..I appreciate this .
Nice captured
Especially, The impala; they are looks amazing, You know they are native to Africa, and Namibia to northeast South Africa, ranges from Angola and north through Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania.
Wow!! Really this is great job..
This is the good creativity..