Sitting on the table on the patio of my bungalow at Olifants, watching a yellow camp bird attacking it’s reflection in the sideview mirror of my neighbor’s Land Cruiser. Just signed release to do an ‘afternoon walk’. Afternoon walks are an opportunity to take a 2 hour walk through the bush with a couple of rangers. A chance to get off one’s butt and walk a bit (and it’s been days since I’ve done any walking to speak of) in the company of someone who knows something about the bush. I’ve did several last year and the rangers varied from arrogant and uncommunicative to interesting and informative. Their first role of course is to keep the guests safe – I get the impression that there’s a ton of paperwork if you get a guest hurt and if you get a guest killed, well, forget about it….
Bottom line is you get what you get. I think rangers are like school teachers maybe – they start out with a deep passion for their work but they’re badly underpaid and under appreciated. Some soldier on without losing their enthusiasm and some become withdrawn and maybe a little bitter. We’ll see. Best thing is to be on foot for a while. My experience is that it’s rare to see any big animals but it is an opportunity to talk about the all the little things one can find in the bush and I think the rangers appreciate someone with an interest in trees and birds and spiders.
I’m completing my second full day at Kruger. I’ve been disappointed in my shooting. Seems like I was way ahead two days in last year, but maybe I’m not remembering that right. Trying to remind myself to stay patient. It’s hard shooting from a car and to a large extent, you take what’s given to you. You just have to be ready to see it and exploit it when something cool shows up.
Oh, look at the time. Gotta go.
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