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We camped at the top of an escarpment, from which we could look out over
the plain. Below us were two large pools of water which were greatly valued
by the elephants. At dawn, we descended to the plain and sat next to the
pool, waiting for the arrival of elephants. We watched the crocodile's eyes
just above the surface of the water, watching us.
Gradually, the cool air warmed up as, above the grey blanket of clouds which
heralded the coming rainy season, the sun rose. Sweat prickled on my brow
as I scanned the banks of the pool with my binoculars, and the group of
birds opposite us became a name - Senegal Thick-Knees - because of their
unusually large eyes. They took to flight and flew across the pool, suddenly
becoming much more visible because of the white markings on their wings,
but when they landed, it was as if they disappeared as they closed their
wings.
The smallest of noises made us turn around. We looked at the elephant, and
he looked at us. We thought to ourselves that we were on its direct path
into the water, and the elephant thought impenetrable elephantine thoughts
for what seemed an age. At last, he turned aside, ponderously approached
the bank and silently launched himself into the water.