acacia blossoms

acacia blossoms

Sunday, August 19, 2012

august winds




August - the season of winds. Winds of change blow through our world heralding a change of seasons.  First the winds are icy cold telling us of snow on a mountain top somewhere.  Then the winds are warm, gusty, like the first days of summer. As if the gods of wind are trying on shoes, they go back to the icy winds again. They try those on for a day or two, then decide no - those are so last season. Lets try summer. Oh the agonies of indecision.



In the meantime. the grasses are drying, and waterholes recede revealing cracked crevices of thick glutinous mud. As the bones of the earth are laid bare by winds, so the bones of the animals start to show beneath dusty hides.  We are not meant to see the rib cages of elephants - but there they are, showing a line of shadow ridges as the herd pauses to soak up the wintery sun.




The elephants are passive, intent on eating yellow grass - a bulk diet of roughage. They conserve their energy and stay focussed on their immediate needs. There should be a young calf by every female elephants side, instead we are seeing one young calf per breeding herd.  These elephants are struggling - traveling many miles for food and water. Predators are taking their toll. The day seems benign - sunny and bright - yet we are looking at creatures at their limit on the cusp of the season.



At the elephant beach at midday, we watch the big bull elephants arrive. Sonic rumbles of greetings reverberate through our own skin and bone. Its the deepest sound.  More elephants morph out of the grey scrub bushes around the lagoon. The water reflects a bright hard tanzanite blue. The elephants walk into the water no deeper than their ankles. They are careful not to disturb the shallows, reaching further in with long extended trunks.



The air is icy cold and elephants stand like statues in a sculpture garden, showing their broadsides to the sun - soaking up as much warmth as they can before the afternoon begins to cool.  There is no splashing about on such a day. Even the tiny calves content with playing in mud and dust. No-one wants to be caught soaking wet without a towel as night falls.



Elephants stand all around our view, reflecting in water, morphing into the tree line,
conserving energy, maximising heat, rehydrating, living with intent.  Before the shadows lengthen, there is a sign that we humans cannot hear, and the herds begin a slow move back into the treeline. Everyone heeds the sign. In minutes the herds are gone from sight. Silently they are moving into the forest. The beach is deserted again, with only the carpet of footprints and droppings steaming in the afternoon view.



9 comments:

mermaid gallery said...

captivating.....the intuitive nature and wisdom of centuries...the color of the mud itself...primal....

Anonymous said...

beautifully written!

this time of the year is so bleak and can be so depressing --- I hope rains come soon, but that's being wishful

Kristin said...

These at the times that try men's, elephants' and everything else's souls? What brutal beauty...

Val said...

Mermaid - love that 'wisdom of centuries' somuch to learn from them

Janet - rain in kazungula yesterday!! bit early but still

Kristin - its howlife is i guess?

thanks for visiting and hanging with us on the Roof!

Angela said...

I`m hanging on, too! Such beutiful writing, Vallie!

mana76445 said...

I really love your write-ups guys continue the good work. roof cleaning port st lucie

Dr Purva Pius said...

Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius, call/whats-App Contact Number +918929509036 via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

Motivation Website said...

Motivational Quotes Video for Students in English
Best motivational Quotes video for success in life
Best Inspiring motivational Story in English
Best motivational Videos , Inspirational Videos, Inspirational Quotes
Best motivational quotes about love, love feeling quotes, inspirational quotes about love, love quotes
Best motivational quotes for teachers, inspirational quotes for teachers, quotes about teaching, inspiring quotes for teachers
Quotes on friendship, True friendship motivational video, Inspirational friendship quotes video, friendship quotations

syntheticthatch said...


This is a very nice post . I have visited the site many times and learn about Synthetic Thatch very nicely.


We are the Largest Supplier of No. 1 Quality Synthetic Thatch Roofing Material and Artificial Bamboo products supplying top-quality Synthetic thatch & Artificial Bamboo products with 20 Year Warranty, UV-proof, Class A flame-retardant, Maintenance-free. You’ll be astonished at how well our Synthetic Thatch Roofings withstand ocean breeze, heavy rain, snow storm, intense sunlight and general wear & tear for more than 20 years while still looking amazing.