dawn patrol

The last few days have been still and quiet. Where is everyone?
Elephants are coming onto the floodplain at night for some reason. We
see their tracks everywhere in the cold morning sand. They are like
ghosts at the moment.

Distant lion calls and tracks on the road. We have been driving
diligently looking everywhere. Water sparkles invitingly in the midday
sun. At last it is warm on our backs - but not for long. The water
reflects ice blue, darkened in swathes by the winter wind.

I am awake in the night often. This is one place where i look forward
to the nights - never knowing what we will hear or what drama will
unfold in the bright moonlight. Lately nights have been silent as if
Selinda is holding its breath until summer warmth arrives.

This morning at last we found him. He was walking down the road
towards us, looking for the rest of his pride. We followed him through
the long tawny grasses until he lay down next to an ant hill and
started licking his paws - it had been a long patrol. We left him to
sleep and will check in again later.