Then a Snake Slithered By

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Geo: -24.7435, 26.2573

This afternoon Paul and I went to the hide. In the distance we saw a small herd of breeding elephants coming towards the waterhole. We stood up to watch them. The elephants stood at the edge of the waterhole and drank water. I then heard something in the grass and looked down. There was a snake in the grass below us. Paul identified it as a Mozambique Spitting Cobra. He was quite excited about seeing a snake. I was glad that we were up in the hide, about a metre off the ground. The snake slithered under the hide and came out the other side and then went out of view.

We continued to watch the elephants drink. They did not stay for too long. On leaving, they stopped at the wetlands and got all muddy and then walked off into the sunset. We carefully walked back to the staff village and had our eyes peeled looking for the snake for different reasons. I hate snakes and am petrified of them, Paul loves them and wanted a better view! Luckily for me we didn't see it again this afternoon.

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Photos

01 Arriving
A breeding herd of elephants arriving at the waterhole.

02 Drinking
The elephants drinking at the wetlands on the way to the waterhole.

03 Walking
The elephants continuing on to the waterhole.

04 Nearly There
The elephants are nearly at the waterhole.

05 Drinking
The elephants drinking the water.

06 Heron
A Grey Heron enjoying the late afternoon sun.

07 Drinking
Two elephants drinking with many Cattle Egrets sitting behind them.

08 Snake!
The Mozambique Spitting Cobra that we saw as we were standing up to look at the elephants.

09 Drinking
The two elephants drinking water.

10 Walking
Three of the elephants walking along the waterhole.

11 Head
The head of the snake - which was way too close for comfort.

12 Mother & Calf
A mother and calf elephant drinking water.

13 Leaving
The herd of elephants leaving the waterhole.

14 Muddy
The elephants are all muddy after playing in the mud from the wetland.

15 Out
Coming out of the mud.

16 Off They Go
And off go the elephants, back into the bush.