Early morning in the Maasai Mara. Our last Christmas in Kenya, and we’re out on a family safari with my sister and co. Daniel, our guide from Mara River Camp is both driving and game spotting. The rest of us are not awake yet. And so when we find ourselves among a large herd of elephants, it is hard to believe. A waking dream, then.
Daniel stops the truck. And the elephants move by us as if we’re not there. It must be a dream.
Even so, we are soon aware – first of their utter quietness, and then of an all embracing unity of purpose. These dozens of imposing creatures are acting with one mind, moving as an elephant entity through the thorn trees.
We drive on a little way to an upland vantage point from where we can see across the valley. Daniel announces that this a good place to have our picnic breakfast. He says it’s all right to get out of the truck. I wonder at the strangeness of standing out in the African bush at Christmas, eating hard boiled eggs and croissants as elephants pass us by.
Tish Farrell 
Sublime to see more of your divine elephants, Tish. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you, Sarah, and happy festivities to you and yours too.
If there was a prize for WPC how could this not win it? Lovely photos. Such beautiful animals. I always wanted one.
To own an ele, now that would be something, Kate. And thank you for the putative prize nomination – much appreciated 🙂
Great shots! I love elephants. Such cool creatures.
Cheers, Shannon.
Great account and great photos.
What a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks, Debbie.
I close my eyes and remember the experience of the Masai Mara.
Good memories all round then 🙂
Oh my, Tish , how wonderful!
Yes, indeed. A treasured memory.
What a marvelous experience, Tish, and as usual, it loses nothing in the telling.
janet
🙂
Beautiful animals and photos. I support the protection of these animals every year.
What a magnificent gift to have been given. The elephants are superb in their stature and demeanor.
Phenomenal experience and photographs of them. Thank you for sharing these treasures.
Merry Merry …
Isadora 😎
Elephants were my first thought when I saw this week’s challenge, so nice to see yours. Eating hard-boiled eggs and croissants at Christmas made me smile… and brought back memories of Christmas 2000 in Botswana.
An amazing sight, Tish. 🙂
Now that is such a unique experience – eggs – croissants – and elephants on the move – how cool!
Hard to top really 🙂 Seasons greetings to you, Yvette.
💕❤️
So wonderful to see more of your astounding photos of these elephants. My wanderlust meter is surging!
Now that’s enough talk of surging, Sue. Have a great Christmas, you two.
What a wonderful gathering, Tish! I would have a Christmas breakfast of plain black coffee if I had wonderful such company 🐘🐘🐘
It does beat anguishing over cooking the turkey. And I love your little ele icons.
Beautiful pictures. And how wonderful it is to share a bit of space, and a little time with elephants.
Yes, Shimon, time with elephants is time well spent – as long as they are in a good mood of course, in which case a very hasty exit is called for.
I love the dream-state in which you encounter the elephants. A Christmas hard to better: however, I hope you manage it.
This Christmas will be spent with my sister’s labrador. Not quite the same league as a herd of eles, but she’s very companionable 🙂
Being surrounded by elephants does make you feel strange doesn’t it? And when you’re on foot instead of in a truck its surreal!
Now that’s one overwhelming gathering to witness! 🙂
Happy Christmas, my dear Tish! 🙂
Thank you, Marina. Happy festivities to you too 🙂
🙂
Too cool!
I can only imagine what that must have been like, to come upon these elephants. Incredible!
Hope your holidays are truly memorable, Tish.
And all best wishes, to you too, John.
Beautiful shots!! What a wonderful gathering to witness.
Indeed it was. Thanks.
What a wonderful experience!
Alison
Cheers to you two, and happy travelling!
A wonderful experience and post….thank you. Janet.
A very memorable Christmas and amazing close up photos Tish. Enjoy this year with the sister’s Labrador, and take some photos…
Thank you, Pauline. And I will definitely take some photos. I’m hoping to capture a stone circle.
That sounds intriguing
Hard boiled eggs and croissants for a Mara breakfast? Mzuri sana.
Kenyan hospitality has so much style 🙂
Ndiyo Memsahib.