Making our way back to camp one evening we came across this big old bull elephant. These bulls are generally very relaxed so I pulled ahead of him and got down on the ground to take some low angle shots as he walked past. He stood above me, peering down at me briefly before continuing past the front of the vehicle.
From behind me, all I could hear was Penny’s constant stream sotto whispered curses. ^%$@ SAKES Graham why do you have to do this?! It’s not funny anymore! Get back in the truck! ^*%*^*!!! etc etc etc. I’ve learnt to tune this out most of the time as she thinks that I actively try to terrify her with wild life encounters as my only source of amusement. She does not trust me one iota.
The ele moving on, I slipped back into the truck, Penny’s ashen face glaring at me. The ele moved on past Penny’s side and, probably smelling the orange peels on the dash turned to investigate.
Penny thinks that if she doesn’t look at the animals, they can’t see her. It’s very amusing. I grabbed my wide angle lens and started snapping some shots. (The wide angle lens makes him look a lot further away than he was. He was very close to her I will admit, within a couple of meters) 
Penny stared resolutely ahead. “Smile Penny.” Deaths head grimace. “Smile, enjoy it.” Something vaguely more photogenic but no more genuine. “OK just watch the ele.”
Graham, thanks for your version, I really needed that laugh!!! I can totally hear and visualize (thank you) Penny saying "all sorts" to you given her idealic moment - LOL!! That's soooo funny. I LOVE the expressions you caught, but you are confused about one point...apparently you weren't aware of our girl's superpower..."if you "don't look, you become invisible" It's a legend that lives on in our Penny, so shhhhh!!!! So take care of her and yourself, k?? xoxo
ReplyDeletebtw, that elephant really looks so sweet and docile. Why can't you guys gently get to know some of the wildlife and pet them, etc.?? I would love to do that.