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“I have seen a herd of elephant travelling through dense native forest…pacing along as if they had an appointment at the end of the world” Isaak Dinesen
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No dense forest here, only a rare scatter of thorn trees on the Maasai Mara plains. And yet early one December morning, when we found ourselves in the path of an elephant herd, the sense of their concerted purpose flowed round us like a slow tide. They did move as one – elders, adolescents, infants. And so softly too. An elephant mirage then.
As they passed on by, not one member of the herd showed any reaction to our presence. And so there was that moment – the urge to follow, to walk with elephants, pace for pace. How astonishing might that be? (Or how invasive).
Of course we were not on foot, but in a truck with our driver-guide, Dan. He drove quietly away and parked on a ridge above the thorn trees; even suggested we should get out and eat our picnic breakfast while we watched the herd fan out below us.
Some members climbed over our ridge, but again seemed not to acknowledge our existence.
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“The herd moves as one, yet each elephant knows its place.” African saying.
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At sundown the herd met up with us again, travelling at the same slow, purposeful pace, but now in the opposite direction. We were on our way back to camp. Dan stopped the truck while they moved on and on around us. So close we felt their presence as they passed. The musky smell of them.
copyright 2026 Tish Farrell
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Lens-Artists: favourite quotes illustrated This week Ann-Christine asks us to illustrate our favourite quotations (No more than 5 photos). She has some stunning examples. Go see!
So wonderful Tish! I remember thinking as we traveled in Africa that every one of us should have that opportunity. The support for them would grow by leaps and bounds. They are such magnificent creatures and their intelligence and caring for each other is well-documented. If only more people would listen. I love when you feature them – your time there must have been so amazing.
I agree with all those thoughts, Tina. And yes, those years in Kenya and Zambia were such a gift.
What a great tribute to these wonderful animals. Your pictures are stunning.
Many thanks, Anne.
What an incredible experience—being that close must have felt almost surreal. Your words and images really capture their quiet presence and dignity
Many thanks, Lize. It was one of many times in Africa when one wondered if one was actually awake.
Tish, It must have been thrilling to see these magnificent elephants as they walked together as a herd. Your images are amazing.
It was a very extraordinary day, Beth. Thank you.
What a magical experience to be so absorbed in this herd
To be honest, Sarah, it was almost too much to absorb. Especially the moment when were eating our packed breakfast out in the open – peeling hard boiled eggs while watching approaching elephants.
Yes, I can see how it would be!
What a marvellou bringing together of words and images. What thrilling moments to see this quiet and stately procession.
Thanks, Margaret. Quiet and stately are definitely the right words.
What a great choice for the challenge! The photos and quotes are excellent.
So pleased you liked this, Egídio.
Wonderful melding of words and images, Tish!
Many thanks, Sue.
😊
Aren’t elephants so gorgeous and such loyalty between them. It’s certainly a privilege to share their environment. Wonderfully told.
It certainly was a privilege, Suzanne. Thank you.
Brillint post! Wonderful experience for you 😀
Many thanks, Tom.
Tish, your photos take me back to our journey in Kruger National Park. Of all the animals we saw, the elephants dominated the photos I took. Thanks for the memories.
Happy to give your special memories a boost, John. It is pretty hard to beat an elephant encounter moment 🙂
Nature’s colors at their finest. This is such a soothing perspective.
Yes you have seen things Tish we stop-at-homes only dream of – your photos certainly capture that expression “The herd moves as one”
When you are among them, it feels akin to a low frequency force field, which I suppose it is in a way, given their communication system of rumbling bellies, the ongoing emission of sound waves that travel great distancse between them, but we mostly cannot hear.
What fantastic moments you had there, Tish! And your words describe it so well we can imagine being there. Perfect post. I am so very envious – we only saw a few elephants. They did warn us we might not see many because there had been heavy rains and they would be up in the forest on the mountainside when we were there. And they were. Thank you for the beauty.
Many thanks, Ann-Christine. It’s a shame your elephant sightings were limited by weather. We were very lucky with our Mara trip. Just the right conditions.
Still envious…! Good you are sharing with us!
An experience of a lifetime I would say, Tish. And love your commentary and quotes.
Yes, Rupali, a not-to-be-forgotten-experience 🙂
This is captivating, such a wonderful experience, so beautifully told.
Many thanks, Sofia. So pleased you liked this.
Experiences like this are almost otherworldly and something few Europeans will ever have.
The closest I ever got to such an encounter was in the Addo Elephant Park when the herd, babies and all, crossed a dusty road as it passed behind our car, pausing in the late afternoon heat as the matriarch caught a whiff of the crate of oranges we had in the boot. (bought from a vendor outside the park).
That’s a brilliant image. You can rather see the picture book that might ensue – a riot of eles stealing oranges…
It surprised Celeste no end and gave her quite the start as the female moved a few steps toward the car as we watched in the rear view mirror.
“Okay … that’s close enough, now please…. drive!”
Hottest February in 12 years that was, with baby Emily in the car seat!
What a wonderful experience. Seems almost as if the elephants recognise those who will not kill them and just get on with their travels.
Many thanks. And yes, pretty well protected on Maasai lands, inside and outside the national park.