The Water Hole
The low rumble of the lion’s roar rolls through the South African night as thunder during a storm. I’ve heard the sound before but never caught a glimpse of the lion On this night the waiting has paid off. The lion pads quietly to the edge of the water hole and drinks long and deep. He stands and waits, listening to the crickets and frogs, listening for the sound of other animals calling out. He walks slowly into the perfect viewing area, his tail swishing from side to side. Moving off into the night, he roars over and over, letting every creature within a few miles know that he is here tonight.
The magnificent, male lion is in South Africa. I am at the computer in my living room watching him via Africam at Nkorho Pan, a natural water hole at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. There is a certain anticipation in watching the cam, almost like hunting, without killing, of course. Because it is live streaming video it is impossible to know what types of animals will be seen at any given time. I’ve seen nearly all of Africa’s Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. I’m still waiting to see a leopard and get a better look at a rhino. My favorite animal to watch are the giraffes. Only God could give so much grace to such an awkwardly built animal.
The sounds on Africam are as intriguing as the sights. Hyena cry a “whoop” sound, calling to each other. Baboons have an intense, scary sounding alarm cry. The Square-tailed Nightjar sounds like a laser gun from Star Wars or Buzz Lightyear.
Watching the water hole has reminded me of how amazing God’s creation is. The sight of dawn seeping over the night sky, the power of a storm sweeping in, the variety of wildlife all testify to God the Creator. One night I watched the full moon out my kitchen window and knew that in just a few hours that same moon would hover in the African sky. Amazing.
Moon out my window
Will rise over Nkorho Pan
In only hours.
Reflect in the pond
And brighten the sky tonight
Lion will come drink.
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4 comments:
cool lil' poem at the end :)
Liked it.
Very nice post! While they are awkward, giraffes are pretty cool. Did you know that they have the same number of bones in their neck as we do? We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank you so much for posting about this! It does fill one with anticipation, wondering what one will see from one night to the next!
Quite interesting ... love the haiku at the end. Much peace, JP
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