Elephant rumble

Nyamepi Camp in Mana Pools, on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. We were each in our respective and very tiny, two man tents, when one elephant decided to feed on the mopane pods hanging from a tree. I had pitched my tent right next to that tree and there was only space for one person to walk by. Never would I have thought that a full grown elephant would be able to squeeze through there! Not only did she amble through, she stood right there, brushing against the fabric of the tent while feeding. I could hear the rumbling of her stomach less than a metre from my head. And the thought crossed my mind - there is literally just thin nylon separating me from her. I just prayed she would believe that my flimsy accommodation was something solid not to be stepped on. Time slowed down to a creep. I could hear my heart beat. It was both magical and heart stopping. As you may have guessed, it was with relief that I heard her quietly whisper away some time later. Elephants may be large, yet they pass you by as if gliding over the ground. I wish I had known then, what I now know. That we feel our thinking, not what is actually happening. the elephant was simply eating peacefully.

Twilight encounter

We were staying in a chalet in the Swiss Alps near a wooded area. I was chatting quietly with my daughter, while admiring the scenery and the lightly falling snow, when we noticed a slight movement between the tree trunks.

It was gradually getting darker but we were able to witness time slow down. The most beautiful little doe was standing there. She had noticed us, yet continued on her way. Gracing us with her presence as she daintily stepped in the foot high snow.

It was the most breath taking and entrancing moment. To see such a delicate, beautiful and vulnerable animal observe you, yet choose to continue fearlessly, each accepting the other’s presence in peace.

I wish I could share that feeling with you, how it fills your heart with wonder and love.

A river in the sky

Palawan, Philippines. After spending an afternoon diving in exquisite deep blue waters between the numerous towering islands, we sat in our “banca” and chatted for a while. Our boatman proposed that we have sundowners near another group of islands, as there was a cave filled with quite literally, millions of bats (or at the very least tens of thousands). As the sun started to set, the bats started to exit the cave on the island and fly towards the mainland in order to find fruit trees to feed on. They seemed to pour out of the rock face and created many meandering rivers flowing and intersecting in the sky. Like a multitude of swarms, in a beautiful aerial ballet. It lasted for much longer than I thought would be possible. Sadly, this was so many years ago, I can’t seem to remember the name of the precise island. It was less than an hour boat ride away from Malapacao island. The whole “show” was fascinating and awe-inspiring.

Moonlight over False Bay

I used to live in Simon’s Town, near Cape Town, South Africa. Nights with a full Moon were my favourites. Lying in bed, I had a stunning view of that special moon glow over the waters in False Bay. My fondest memories are of being rocked to sleep by the gentle breathing of a Southern Right whale swimming just below near Long Beach. It gives you the feeling that everything in life is right and well. Words sadly cannot convey my moments in nature. I wish you your very own magical moments in the wild.

Lion apparition

Nkupe Camp, Zimbabwe. We were walking back from a watering hole, my father, my brother and two family friends, loaded with photo equipment, tripods and backpacks. We still had quite a way before reaching camp. While chatting in low voices we just reached the dirt road. As we looked up towards the turn-off, there he stood. A single lion with a full mane… far too close for comfort! It’s uncanny how in the bush you can walk for long stretches and “see nothing” as the wildlife stays at safe distances hidden from view. Then suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, you realise you have nearly bumped into a creature you would much rather see from a greater, more comfortable distance. We all stopped as one and slowly, very slowly and silently, walked backwards in a wide arc, away from him, yet heading back to camp. This was before the age of cellphones etc. Needless to say, the last leg of our walk was at a faster pace once out of the danger zone, still silent, except for the sound of your heart thumping in your head. Yet still - that feeling of being so close to a lion in the wild, at his level, there is this overwhelming feeling. Everything is amplified. Time stands still for that fraction of a moment before you retreat as calmly as possible. You feel extremely alive after such an encounter. And highly relieved to be back in camp!

The calm after the washing machine

Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island. I used to do a lot of scuba-diving while living in the Philippines. It was the best and easiest way to escape into nature and feel free for me. I remember one particular dive that involved diving through a “washing-machine” - an area with currents that make you lose sense of where is up and where is down. After going through that maelstrom, and reaching calmer waters nearer the bottom of the ocean, we had arrived in what felt like a garden in an underwater paradise. Beautiful, luminous, multi-coloured fish were swimming peacefully, shimmering light was reflecting on their bright scales. It felt like all earthly cares and worries instantly melted away and all there was, was beauty and serenity. You never forget such special moments.