TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
I Saw a Simple Tree in a Picture and Recognized its Location
A story about love to the detail
I read the words transporting me to another world and while looking at the picture I had one place in mind. I was waiting for the author to lift the mystery but he never named the location. He wasn’t writing about a specific place, it was a lovely short essay about the smells and sounds of a rainstorm in Africa.
And yet, reading his words and looking at that one tree in the only picture shared, it could only have been one place he was talking about.
I’ve traveled to over ten countries on the African continent, have been on countless safaris, seen a never-ending list of lone-standing trees in the savanna and have marveled at the country in drought and in lush green.
Yet, I knew that place. I could feel it through the picture.
“This might be far-fetched but is this picture from Etosha from Okaukuejo waterhole? That tree and the water look so familiar.”
I had to ask.
And yes, I have never seen the waterhole in such lush green the way he displayed it in his picture. I have visited the Namibian national park always in the dry season.
I saw three different types of antelopes at the same time drinking water at this oasis. I watched zebras and elephants gather. I witnessed them play and recharge.
I sat at the waterhole at night. For hours staring into the darkness.
Until one rhino appeared. It didn’t drink from the water’s edge but walked into the middle to get some desperately needed liquid. Not moving an inch, I captured the wild animal and its reflection next to this lone standing tree at night.
While deep inside, I knew the answer, I still smiled when I read Warren's reply
“Yes you got it 100% correct that is exactly where that tree is from 😀Well spotted. I loved just sitting at the waterhole with my camera waiting to see what arrived for a drink.”
And I agree with him. It’s a peaceful place. You sit at camp behind a layer of fences and watch clouds move by while birds sweep in to catch a sip of the rare liquid until bigger animals take over the show.
Read here his captivating narrative describing an African thunderstorm move in:
This story is published in Simply Wild, Warren Thurlow‘s new wildlife and wilderness publication.
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