04 September 2008

Sky Watch Friday - Amidst the pachyderms

So who is going to watch the sky - or even care about a dirty windscreen - when you end up in the middle of a herd of elephants and there is no escape route.


I have been charged by a herd of elephants cows in the Zambezi Valley, many years ago when in the army. It was quite a scary experience, even though we were in a huge truck and were able to out run them. With some of these being less than two metres from the car, I was hoping these mommas would be more amenable to humans, than their Zambezi cousins.


We were hemmed in by elephants and cars and had no room to manoeuvre. Fortunately the Addo elephants are used to people and are fairly placid, but one still does not like to take chances with them.


As it turned out they very quickly ambled off into the bush and we were able to drive off with a feeling of exhilaration.
For links to a whole lot of sky watch pictures go to the Sky Watch site

29 comments:

Petunia said...

LOL! Here in Norway we have som popuar pictures that we call "Moose in sunset"
This shots are so great!
Well done!
Petunia's SWF post

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I haven't been to Addo for a while. You are making me "Addo sick". I think I must make a plan. Sommer try out the new camera on some elies.

Rune Eide said...

I wouldn't quarrel with that one!

Arija said...

There I was admiring your superb header while your pics were loading and you handed me a most spectacular encore! How fab. is that? Thanks, I really love heffalumps and with a sunset to boot. You must have great reactions.

Anonymous said...

Oh my! Where was this taken? Looks an interesting place to visit:D

Mine is HERE.Thanks! Happy SWF!

EG CameraGirl said...

Scary! They are HUGE.
Happy Sky Watch!

Anonymous said...

wonderful skywatch. Those elephants are just so large.

Merisi said...

Oh my,
and I was scared when a stag decided to walk towards me! :-)
Great images, majestic's the word that comes to mind.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Now, *that's* something I don't see on any of my excursions into the countryside! I've been run into by a large deer, but that's about it!

Great Sky/Elephant Watch, Max!

Julie said...

Now this is by style of SWF image, Max. Makes me want to ring my friends and organise the safari right here and right now!

Photo Cache said...

The risks we had to take for a skywatch entry. Hope you're not too shaken up.

Gerald (SK14) said...

The worst I've had is an Aberdeen Angus in the middle of a singletrack road in the N of Scotland - not as large as an ephalunt but very stubborn

Brad Myers said...

What an exciting time, nice photos.

Maria said...

Oh my god that looks scary! Happy SWF, though!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Not what you expect to see for skywatch a magnoficent elephant. Superb.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, that looks a little scary! Very nice, interesting post and photos.

Rose said...

Awesome!

Louise said...

You're right. Who would even notice the sky. Very fun post.

Bob Johnson said...

Okay, enough is enough, you are making me crazy with jealousy, an elephant Sunset, doesn't get any better,lol.

Kelly said...

Oh my goodness! What wonderful photos of the elephants and how you captured the sunsets behind them! Gorgeous shots!! Were you in Africa by chance? Lovely, lovely photos!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cool photos of the sky and the elephants. Why did the other elephants charge at you? I'm glad nothing happened this time. ;-)

Paz

mrsnesbitt said...

Absolutely fantastic!

Max-e said...

Paz,there was no real reason for them charging us, other than the fact that the Zambezi elephants have been hunted extensively and did not like humans. They were also known for their aggression.
When they have calves they get very protective when there is a perceived threat.
There was absolutely no provocation from our side.
I was in the second vehicle in a convoy of three vehicles.
The elephants started their charge when the first one passed them, they quite close when our vehicle went by and when the third one got there the driver panicked and did a detour through the bush, adding a few good dents.
We all thought it very funny, except for the driver of course

Anonymous said...

Very interesting about the elephants and their experience with humans. Poor driver. ;-) Thanks for the explanation.

Paz

Shimmy Mom said...

Fun shots. Definitely something you don't see everyday.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Who really cares about a dirty windscreen in this situation! Just adds to the drama! Fantastic pics!

sonia a. mascaro said...

What an amazing adventure, Max!
I guess that meet elephants on the road is very, very exciting!
Great sky photos and great elephants photos, too!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

wow I LOVE the elephants they are so beautiful the skies are too!

myonlyphoto said...

Oh these are so cool! Anna :)