Elephant Sands

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Cees-MWMCh-March23-Two-E’s-in-Word

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Kelpie and Labrador…our favourite brEEds

Australian Wedge Tail EaglE

Impalas are an African medium sized antElopE

African ElEphant

Cape Barren GEEsE native to south-eastern coast of Australia,

the southern coast of Western Australia

and in south-eastern Victoria.

Sydney Harbour FEncE

Port Fairy Fishing FlEEt

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Cee’s-MWMChallenge:…March23-Words-With-Two-E’s

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Black-and-White

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Blacks and Whites today.

I probably have no taste in art at all but l like this

Spiderweb in Canola Crop image…

particularly the BW version.

Too busy?  Or about right?

Another I like.

Camellia

 

 

There must be another name for

Red Hot Poker,

but it’s too hot to search.

This looks so refreshing.

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Pic-and-Word-Challenge_Wk162-Bend

 

This week we are bending in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta is covered with watercourses…

all of which meander through

the low-lying land in of the Delta

 

Bends in the tracks

If we had not visited Elephant Sands,

in Botswana’s north-east,

I would not have been able to capture this bend. 

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Pic-and-Word-Challenge_Wk161_Bend

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One Word Photo Challenge-Elephant

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Elephant

One of my favourite subjects.

elephant_0228

Meet Tembo, a thirty year old, six ton, elephant

which killed six hippopotamuses

in a fit of rage after his mother was killed/died.

elephant_0232We met Tembo at

Elephant Whispers

in South Africa, 2013.


elephants-H_2239The following year we journeyed into Botswana

and while out seeking a pride of lions

came upon what our guides described as

‘over 1,000 elephants‘

migrating from A to B in small family groups

of  twenty or so animals.

We drove for 4 or 5 kilometres and all we saw

was elephants as far as the eye,

and camera lens, could see.

Something our guides had never previously sighted.

elephant_0048At Elephant Sands we were up close and personal

with these mighty mammals, so rules need to be posted.

elephant-h-1That was our accommodation for the night.

I’m sure an irate elephant could push it over fairly easily.

elephant_0294Having a night-cap for the tourists…and the reason for rules.

 

elephant_1371They came into the waterhole to drink and left

the way the entered the circle of cabins.

elephant_0193Did you ever see an animal looking so contented?

We were told that some German (I think) girls

went to the ‘ladies’ during the night and

walked our to be met by an elephant.

The elephant was not injured in the encounter,

although some of the girls may have been

as they scrambled back to safety

in the toilet block. 🙂

elephant_0337One of my favourite shots from

an island in the Chobe River.

The Chobe River is the dividing line between

Botswana and Namibia…the background.

elephant_0385bNow back to the beginning.

Elephant Whispers and Tembo.

Not often we are given an opportunity like this.

And it still irks me to think that some young visitors

could have spoiled it for all by blatantly disobeying the rules.

That is standing still and hands on

Tembo’s legs so he knew we were there…and

so we could feel any of his movements.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Africa take it because

nothing is better than seeing these animals

in their natural environment.  

At least that is my/our opinion.

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 One Word Photo Challenge:Elephant

owpc1

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Which Way Challenge-14-Wk-18

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Elephant Sands, North East, Botswana.

elephant_0038A short drive over a sandy track…

elephant_0043brought us to the elephant lodge and the Elephant Rules.

elephant_0048Elephant Rules exist because elephants come to drink at a water bore which is situated a mere twenty metres or so from the dining area and bar.

Around 2200 our South African guide, gallantly offered to escort some German tourists back to their camp site only to look to his left, when nearly there, and see an 5 tonne elephant only 5-10 feet from him.

To say he was surprised would be understating the fact.

elephant-h1

Above is the ‘chalet’ in which MGW and I had spent the previous night.

Kind of gives an idea of why there are Elephant Rules.

All accommodation circles the watering point and

elephants need to walk in and out past guest accommodation.

Truly a 5 star experience but our, collective,

accommodation was disappointing.

The new tents look much  better.

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Cee’s Which-Way-Challenge-14-Week-18

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Travel Theme-Inviting

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My

Inviting

Travel Theme.

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In north-east Botswana there is a lodge named Elephant Sands…
elephant_0263where elephants come to drink, not from the muddy pool of water

but from an invitingly fresh, cool, clear bore water bubbling up at this elephant’s feet.

elephant_0193Whether it be mid afternoon, or…
elephant_0294after dark…
elephant_1371or in the early morning sun, the elephants come,

take turns to drink and quietly leave.

elephant-h1

This one left via our ‘chalet’.

Just wish we had been over there.

This photo courtesy MGW.

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Where’s My Backpack?: Travel Theme: Inviting

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Travel Theme-Strong

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My

Strong

Travel Theme.

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A late contribution this week.

elephant_0193To have an animal so strong and yet so gentle drinking only about

twenty metres from us was a fascinating experience

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Where’s My Backpack?: Travel Theme: Strong

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