While he stands knee-deep in the waterhole, his eyes are closed as he dozes off. Now and again, this giant will swish his tail or fill his trunk to spray his massive frame with the cool grey liquid. He is big – 4 meters tall and over 4 tons in weight, he is the "Godfather" as I affectionately call this giant elephant. It is two in the afternoon and the heat is relentless; over 30 degrees Celsius and no shade…..

He stands still before me in all his magnificence, raising his trunk filled with the red Kalahari dust. In one fluid movement, he sprays his forehead, and for one brief moment, he is covered in the magic of dust and light.