Spending hours in the African Wilderness is a privilege.
Primitive feelings of our inner, ancient self that we would otherwise never feel are brought to the surface.
Feelings of absolute calm, helplessness, excitement, primal fear – all within short spaces of time.
There are constant lessons that we can take from spending time in nature, through observing the resilience around us as the days and seasons pass. Here are a few of these lessons that I have observed:
1. As the sun sets, so it will rise again.
Even the darkest of nights is followed by the break of dawn.
The new day brings a wash of fresh air over the landscape; birdsongs fill the land with a joyous chorus; and the flowers open themselves again to splash the hills in pastels of colour. There is always comfort found knowing what light lies ahead.
A fresh start.
2. New life is to be cherished, as life is fragile.
A rhino calf walks back towards its mother for reassurance.
The Tsalala Lioness greets her three cubs.
As much as we wish it were otherwise, life is short and each moment with our friends and family should be cherished. The resilience of the Tsalala lioness pictured above is testament to this point. Having lost her entire pride, she pushed through all odds and managed to survive alone. Then she defied all odds again and gave birth to three cubs of her own. Now one remains, and she instinctively pushes on each day, to ensure the survival of herself and her progeny.
3. We are all individuals that have a place in this world, no matter how big or small we may seem or feel.
The hard work of the dung beetles clears the landscape of literally tonnes of dung on a yearly basis. Without the collective effort of them all, we would be surrounded by a smelly landscape of dung.
Individual oxpeckers can remove hundreds of ticks from an animal on a daily basis. Without them, large mammals would suffer from massive parasite loads, which could become-life threatening in many cases.
The African concept of Ubuntu is relevant here: “I am because of you”. In nature, animals do not try to be anything or anyone other than what they are destined to be. Because of this understanding and comfort in being what they are and fulfilling their specific role, nature is in perfect balance and harmony.
4.Try, try and try again.
The Hosana male leopard launches out of the reeds after an impala.
This motto is what my father instilled in my sisters and I whilst growing up. If you are knocked down, get up and try again. Eventually you will succeed. This mentality is no better displayed by the predators of Londolozi. Leopards and lions constantly fail in hunts. Hyenas steal about half of all leopards’ kills. No resentment is felt. They simply move on and try again. And they succeed.
5. Play as if nobody is watching.
This pack of wild dogs (painted wolves) didn’t care that a massive rhino bull was bathing in the same cool pool of water. It was time to play in the water and two tonnes of rhino wasn’t going to get in their way!
No animal plays more energetically than African Wild Dogs. Every time they wake up to get going, and every time they meet again having split up, there are elaborate greetings and bouts of play. Adults included! As humans we often care too much about what people will think. Sometimes it’s good to let the guard down and just have a good time!
Two elephant calves climb on top of each other in the excitement of it all.
6.Patience is everything.
A male leopard lies dead-still, waiting for an impala to walk towards him.
A hamerkop stares into the turbid waters of the Sand River with intense focus, waiting for prey to come flowing past.
Nothing can compete with the patience that the animals and birds exhibit. It is a matter of life and death out here. Leopards are able to wait for minutes on end, with muscles engaged, ready to pounce, without flinching. Humans can’t hold still for very long at all!
Birds like the hamerkop pictured above, or herons, are able to stand frozen at the ready, staring into water, waiting for that split second when they must throw their head and beak forward to catch their aquatic prey. Patience really is a virtue!
Nature will give each of us what we are willing to receive from it. We just need to open ourselves to it, as we are part of it and nature has been and always will continue to be in complete harmony.
Well Done! Thank you!
Great photos – but that Hosana shot is etched in my mind! It is like an oil painting!
Pete, wonderful photos🤗
Well expressed, Pete… Nature has much to teach us. Too many in our world today look away, too many do not value what nature offers, too many are just unaware. It up to the rest of us, who know to educate the others and Londolozi is doing its part. We just need more voices to affect change and make a better world.
Exceptionally moving Pete. Your post was filled with truthful wisdom along with perfect images. And yes, nature will always be in perfect harmony. Around the world….praying man doesn’t destroy the land and disrupt that harmony.
Hi Pete
Great write up and some very interesting points. I believe that these are among the key points that guides and conservationists should be ‘teaching’ our guests. While most will know why they come to the bush, there is nothing quite like a subtle reminder, using examples while out on game drive. Your pictures are perfect and represent the ‘uncomplicated’ way that nature takes its course, well done. Very inspiring and a pleasure to read. Cheers from the other side of the Sands!
Much wisdom shared here, Pete. Thank you!
Great insights and perspectives, Peter!
I just completed reading Boyd Varty’s latest book, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life. He shares similar observations and relates them to our everyday existence.
These are all wonderful reminders of nature’s wisdom. Thank you for writing such an inspiring piece.
The world really needs to read and heed these words. Mahalo for this blog today.
Hello Pete, So good written! Thank you for sharing beautiful photos and a lovely article about nature and life!
Peter, brilliant shot of the dung beetles…..brilliant.
Solid observations. Lessons for life too