Local walk

 

Elephant path

January and February had more rain than normal this year but the past few weeks have been a mostly dry with a few scattered showers. We've already seen several rounds of grasses and although some plants are starting to wilt the area is still overall very green. The recent dry spell means that access to some roads has improved and we decided to take a trip out for a random bush walk. 

We're grateful that we know this area well and vast areas of wilderness are relatively easily accessible in public areas. There are several areas nearby that we have gotten to know over the years, places we can go and walk or camp for no cost and with no disturbance. As much as we like game driving, in the end you are sitting in a car all day and the experience is much different than the early morning walks taking in everything in the environment. Whether it's the barren grove of Silver Terminalia, a seasonally flooded area teaming with critters, or salt licks recently pilfered by elephants, the landscape is truly alive if you slow down to look.

Many of the migrant birds will start their journey elsewhere, whether to Europe (European Bee-eaters) or other parts of Africa (African Paradise Flycatcher). Although I appreciate our "regulars", the departure of the migrants is always a big event in the year and thus I enjoyed having the Iranias and Sprossers around for at least another day. 

We saw tracks and signs of several large mammals such as spotted hyena, greater kudu, and several elephants. In fact, the biggest drawback to walking this time of year is the decreased visibility for said elephants. It's truly amazing how quiet and concealed an African Elephant can be if it does not want to be detected. In this area where human wildlife conflict is high, previous negative interactions with humans can lead elephants to be truculent and sometimes downright aggressive. We always try to read the environment, stay aware, and always make conservative decision while trekking unarmed. 

We ended up with an uneventful though quite enjoyable 2.5 hour walk. The highlight of the walk probably came at the end where we came to an open area and saw a Eurasian Hobby overhead. A rare bird and likely on its migration, it was a harbinger for the changing of the seasons.