It’s as if the East African landscape only becomes itself at sundown and sunrise; is only visible to us humans in steeply angled light. It reminds me of the magic painting books I had as a child: nothing but white pages, the images barely descried, a palimpsest of silvery lines. All is blank then; staringly dull. But take a pot of water, and ply a paint brush across the page, and all springs astonishingly to life. Everywhere bursting in colour.
Out in the bush the wild life anyway lies low during the midday hours. And even if you could see them, the equatorial sun flattens the vista. You lose a sense of scale and distance. Even a magnificent eland spotted in the Great Rift at noon can look strangely unimpressive. Just a big antelope then.
Kenya’s game parks and reserves are vast – hundreds of square miles. The animals are not fenced in although, increasingly along the borders, farming (large and small scale) encroaches on grazing grounds and migration routes. But this lack of containment means you can drive around a game reserve for hour after hour and see nothing but thorn scrub; or the retreating rear end of a warthog if you’re very lucky.
But then the sun begins to set, and you are out with a local driver-guide who knows where to look; and the light turns rose-gold, and the land puts on its best colours. And what was distant, and unfocused takes on form and clarity. Out of mind-numbing absence, and hours of searching, emerges this big-cat presence…
Of course they were there all along. Only now they let us see them. Apart, that is, from the big male who is still hiding in the grass behind his mate. It’s another piece of bush magic, how a 500-pound big cat can disappear in twelve inches of grass. Can you spot him?
copyright 2015 Tish Farrell
Wonderfully descriptive blog…and like you I loved magic books….in fact, wish I had one right now:) Fabulous images. Thank you. Janet
Thank you, dear Janet. I can see us both making magic 🙂
Just read the Smithsonian article about the “lion whisperer”–such amazing creatures.
They are indeed. Awe-striking 🙂
Absolutely fabulous post, Tish!
Cheers, Dina. Thank you.
Wonderful magic Africa.
🙂
I guess he doesn’t have to get up too often, he can leave her to do the work!
Yes, I think that’s about right, Gilly 🙂 Lots of lyin’ around.
Wonderful evocation of so many things – including the disappointment of a day without animals. Only you could convey that so completely with the backside of a warthog.
Not to denigrate the dear old warthog of course. But their backsides are rather prominent in retreat 🙂
And we were just talking about a trip to Africa at the end of next year. Can’t wait!
Alison
Oh lucky you two. So many wonderful destinations to choose from.
Oh it took me some time but I found him! This makes my safari wanderlust meter go off the scale. 🙂
Gently does it, Sue 🙂
Wonderful images Tish. I do love your magic painting book imagery. I’d completely forgotten about those 🙂
They were fun, weren’t they? I’m sure kid’s would still enjoy such things now.
If you could drag them away from their tablet or games console for long enough. 🙂
Hey ho. You’re right. On the other hand, the other day, I saw a group of small persons having the time of their lives in a pile of autumn leaves. Opportunity is all.
That is true!
I found him too! And like the other readers – I had those magic paintbrush books – so fun. Nice take on luminous 😊
Thanks, Yvette. And good finding 🙂
😃
i just adore your writing style, Tish. Loved that bit about the retreating rear end of a warthog, lol.
Yes, I see that scary fella. Really sly of him to hide like that.
Just the other day, I watched a documentary about lions on Animal Planet. Fascinating, especially about the way they usurp territories.
Such very nice words about my writing, Nadine. Thank you. Also lions are indeed amazing. So at home in their power 🙂
Oops, that should be: “I” just…
Such a beautiful golden light capturing the luminous, golden tones of the lioness, and after looking closely I did see the lion, just visible in the grass. I loved those magic books too. I wonder if they are still available…
Hello, Pauline. I thought about you yesterday and those pregnant little horse, but when I went in search of them and any equine newcomers the hill was bare. I’m not sure where their other field is, which is a blow.
I guess their owner has tucked them away somewhere for the winter.
My thoughts too. Oh well. Perhaps I better go sleuthing.
I hope you find them
love those cats… hope they can survive…
I think they will, Shimon. And while I’m here, warmest greetings to you.