Magnificent Seven

Story Behind The Print

Bull Elephants

I park under the shade of a camel thorn tree; windows opened a sight breeze washes over me. A few meters away, a sprinkling of springbok and zebra make their way to a man-made waterhole. They drink their fill and then head towards bushes to take shade from the scorching sun.

I pour myself some coffee and reflect on my morning drive. It was a frustrating start to the day. Having driven close to five hours covering 150 km, I had seen very little in the way of wildlife. Usually this time of year, a plethora of animals would congregate around waterholes that had plenty of vegetation nearby. Now the lack of rains had turned the reserve into a giant dust bowl. At its heart is a shimmering bare expanse, called Etosha Pan - the biggest salt pan in Africa. I finish my coffee and decide to continue my search.

Along the edges of the pan, there are natural springs that bubble to the surface to create life-saving streams of water. Overflow of water from these streams form pools of calcrete mud. Elephants and rhinos often use the mud from these pools as a form of sunblock and as a protective layer against parasites. Animals visit these mud pools from midday to late afternoon, and this was where I decided to concentrate my efforts for the rest of the day.

Arriving at the edge of the pan my heart sank. The mud pools were void of any wildlife. I decided to wait, but to be honest, I was out of ideas and tired from seven hours of driving. I opened all the 4x4 windows; warm air filled my nostrils with the smell of baked earth and the pungent calcrete. The wind was eerily quiet, a sense of loneliness swept over me - I felt vulnerable in this vast empty landscape. My failure to capture any worthwhile photographs added to my dark mood and images of my family many thousands of miles away filled my head. My eyes filled with water. I shook my head and wiped at my eyes, admonishing myself for tearing up.

Just as I have given up hope, a mirage appears on the horizon, with a line of grey ghosts shimmering in the heat haze and dust. This spectre-like image fades as they get closer. Elephants! They march silently yet purposefully in a straight line, flapping their huge ears to keep cool.

I lift my binoculars to take a closer look. Expecting a matriarchal herd heading towards me I could not believe what I saw. “Bull elephants!” I say out loud, “Seven bull elephants!” I had never seen so many male elephants marching silently together. They were massive in size.

I put down my binoculars and watch them walk across the great expanse of Etosha pan, I decided to take a photograph of them. As I do, the lead elephant lifts his trunk high in the air. It was perfect, I clicked and captured this perfect moment.

I drive ahead, anticipating their route. Five kilometres later I pull off the track and wait patiently, my camera ready. The bull elephants are moving faster now as they smell the water. they are now walking directly towards me. I lift my camera and place it firmly on my bean bag, which straddles my car window. As I tremble with anticipation, the elephants are less than fifty meters away. Their sheer size as they march into my frame is overwhelming. I check my settings. Then for a few seconds, my heart and brain synchronise as one. I zone out as I compose and recompose. The lead bull elephant flaps his ears. It was the moment I was waiting for; I press the shutter. In less than a fraction of a second, this one single frame has captured the essence of these amazing creatures - the Magnificent Seven.

Author Peter Delaney