With so many elephant photos taken already, I wanted to ease on that. What other environment or situation could possibly provoke my finger to push the button. Will there be a different facial expression or scenario? Besides, we just had an exhausting and nerve wrecking morning under Zimba’s hood. I wasn’t really in photo mode. I was proven wrong once more.

It actually took a while for any animal to appear today, but this large bull with broken ivory,

standing within termite mounds was worth a few photos. It took all afternoon near ‘Third Bridge Campground’ for my next elephant candidate to appear. There’s dust in the air, this could be interesting.

This one was rather busy picking out grass from the soil. To conserve energy, he grabbed some grass with his trunk and kicked the roots out off the soil.

A rather interesting, but useful technique. That was all the movement done, he didn’t move forward at all while I was watching him. It was a hot day after all. 

It came to no surprise that my next candidate was in the water. Just before ‘Third Bridge Campground’ is actually the third bridge to cross. One wonders if these wooden stacks would hold the weight of any car, but so far, so good. An overflow needs to be crossed and after this mornings scenario, I decided to walk through. To be sure, to be sure. I returned to Zimba and heard a splashing sound from the water.

Investigating further, I saw this young elephant having the time of his life, slowly moving through the high reeds for a feed.

Munching and plunging all in once, dodging and diving, smiling all the way. How cute was this one? I looked carefully around to see if any other members of his herd were around, as it is unusual for elephants of his size to be alone.

No further movement in the waters was detected. No other car needed to cross either, bonus. I reversed Zimba to a reed free spot and climbed on top the roof with the OM-D in my hand.

And OM-D, what a pleasure it was watching him. I took a few videos as a photo of water wouldn’t explain his diving skills. Full body under water, plugging some juicy reed and happily stuffing his mouth. 5-star dining for this one. The sun meanwhile set on the other side and a safari vehicle needed to cross the bridge. Just mind blowing Elephant encounters here at the Okavango Delta.

After some incredible giraffe encounters this morning, I came across this tiny, mud-lined waterhole. This story is about 4 elephant bachelors coming right out of the jungle book. These guys were on a mission to cool down from the midday heat.

There was Captain,

Sergeant,

Private,

and Dopy. Dopy was rather triste looking and I was wondering why.

Maybe he had a toothache as both of his tusks had broken off?

Has he been rejected by the love of his life or his rival beat him to the challenge?

Maybe he used to be the leader of this gang?

Or maybe he had a few Amarula fruits and cured his hangover? Was he drunk?

Meanwhile, Captain had quenched his thirst and moved on for dessert.

Sergeant was full of energy too, moving on for a mud bath.

 

Private, who had longer tusks then Dopey, happily sprayed muddy waters over his body.

Dopy? Nope. Same place, same expression, just a bit off trunk action.

Even the zebras didn’t cheer him up.

Now it was Private’s turn for the mud shower. Energetically spraying mud behind his ears, on his back and appearing genitalia. Some itchy relief at last.

Sergeant meanwhile tried to move Dopy and the rest of the gang on, but Dopy had none of that.

When Captain returned from his feeding frenzy, he blew the whistle and all moved on.

However Dopy didn’t get far. Another shower was needed before even he got into the mud bath.

He seemed to enjoy that, not recognizable on his facial expression.

The rest had moved on,

Private showing what he’s got, shaking his whole body.

Eventually, Dopy followed his fellow compatriots back into the jungle book.