It's getting downright autumnal out there, with the leaves on the virginia creeper and grape vines changing. There's a bit of a chill in the air. That was the scene (above) as I walked to work yesterday.
I found this little popsicle stick creature on my way. I have no idea what that's supposed to be. It looks like a poodle with human hands and feet. Or maybe a clown? Anyway, I left it on the sidewalk, in case its creator comes back looking for it.
Oh, and look what arrived!
Woo hoo! I am indeed a citizen and now I can prove it at the airport.
Speaking of traveling, did any of you see the recent news item about an elephant charging a group of tourists in canoes in Botswana? This story hit home with me because, back in 2006, I was in nearly the same situation.
We were canoing in the Okavango Delta when a huge bull elephant began coming toward us. It checked us out, and scared us, but ultimately passed by harmlessly. The video above was taken by a French guy also on the trip -- hence his occasional French commentary. It's dark and grainy because it's 20 years old, and that was the technology then, but you can see me in an adjacent canoe with my friends Jessica and Liz, and you can see how annoyed I look at the end of the clip. That's because our canoe guy took his sweet time getting us out of there!
Anyway, I thought I'd share this because when I saw that news story, it resonated with me.
And now, off to work!
"...an elephant charging a group of tourists in canoes in Botswana"? Until now, I never knew that elephants knew how to paddle canoes. I guess they have to use their trunks to hold the oars. Do they wear life-jackets? Have a fulfilling day at work and don't forget to follow BBW's orders to the letter.
ReplyDeleteNow, that seems a bit of a stretch in interpreting that sentence! But I forget that not everyone has reliable reading comprehension skills. :)
DeleteWhat a frightening experience. Nature it wonderful to observe, at times from a safe distance.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty scary, but we had an even scarier experience with another bull elephant who flared his ears at us and seemed ready to charge. One of the guides had to chase it away.
DeleteI wondered if that was you. I wouldn't like to be that close to an elephant and not have a planned escape route.
ReplyDeleteEspecially in a canoe, because it's not like we could run!
DeleteWow, dramatic footage. :-)
ReplyDeleteI only wish it was clearer and brighter. I tried to enhance it in iMovie but couldn't make it much better.
DeleteI am so excited for you. Roaring felicitations, my British friend.
ReplyDeleteI was in a canoe when a cob swan approached us threateningly. That was scary enough for me.
Swans can be scary!
DeleteIf humans keep invading animals' territory they can expect occasional retaliation. The orcas and dolphins are fighting back at present.
ReplyDeleteWell, exactly. They're just defending their turf and their families.
DeleteGulp!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteIf you're in their "house' they sometimes get annoyed I guess.
ReplyDeleteThey must wonder what we are.
DeleteI would have felt pretty apprehensive about that, too. Love that red ivy but what I love best here is your passport! Hurray!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! It made my day, too!
DeleteI find in almost any situation I am in, most people are a lot more cavalier around wild animals than I am. I suppose that is a side effect of growing up on a farm around animals that had at least been half way domesticated and could still be vicious!
ReplyDeleteAn awful lot of people have no experience with animals at all. They just watch cartoons and have stuffies and they think nature is like that.
DeleteSo when the Bible says that god gave man dominion over all the animals I guess some of the animals didn't get the message.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the passport! I can now call you my English blog friend from Florida.
Ha! This elephant definitely had dominion over us! I wonder what the guides would do if we'd been truly threatened or charged. I don't think they had any weapons on them.
DeleteThe Passport Was Certainly Worthy Of The Wait - Congrats
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thanks! It's nice to feel at home.
DeleteThat elephant looked huge! I would have been very nervous!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the passport.
It was huge. We saw several of them that were very big, and when they flare their ears -- which they do when challenged -- they look even bigger.
DeleteI imagine Jack's passport is in a post office somewhere, the employees are on strike now. Good thing we're not leaving the country.
ReplyDeleteThe fall colours are gorgeous and that elephant is terrifying.
Yeah, thank goodness you can afford to wait. Imagine the poor people who need their passport for imminent travel!
DeleteA bull elephant charging would certainly get your attention.
ReplyDeleteI'll say!
DeleteCongratulations! With UK passport in-hand, you've ready for travel.
ReplyDeleteLovely red color is exactly what we want for Autumn color. Beautiful.
That big boy/girl elephant meant business. Disaster averted. Still very scary.
I think the elephant was just checking us out. We had another one, of similar size, challenge us, and THAT was even scarier.
DeleteThe French guy gets nervous saying Vache and finally Putain. :) Congratulations on your UK passport.
ReplyDeleteI wondered why he kept saying "cow" until I read that it's a French expression of surprise or astonishment, comparable to our "holy cow!"
DeleteYour passport is beautiful! I wish I had one!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't get the "elephant charging" experience. That would be very scary. That's a great memory from one of your adventurous trips.
I love the fall colors.
Yeah, a full-on charge would be terrifying. (And potentially fatal!)
DeleteYay! You got your passport! I don't think I would want to be near an elephant like that.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly interesting. Made for a good video, but as you can see, I was annoyed at being put in what I considered a relatively dangerous position. As I recall, the other canoers moved their makoros out of the way pretty quickly, but ours took his time and brought us in last, so we were closest to the elephant.
DeleteLucky man! That is once in a lifetime thrill! What a magnificent elephant.
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful to see, and astonishing to think creatures that large are living wild out there -- at least for now.
DeleteYou certainly have some adventures. Passports bull elephants canoes...
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, you're only reading about the exciting parts of my past and present -- not the boring routines!
DeleteI'm more amazed that you still have that clip than the elephant looking you over.
ReplyDeleteWell, fortunately the French guy's YouTube account is still active! (I downloaded the video years ago but otherwise it could vanish at any time.)
DeletePassports seem weightier these days. Happy it's in your hands.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean that in a literal or metaphorical sense? In any case, I'm happy to have it.
Delete