Summary

An individual recounts an eventful morning walk in the desert, encountering scorpions and reflecting on the local wildlife, ultimately returning safely to camp.

Abstract

The author, Anne Bonfert, shares a personal narrative of a peaceful yet thrilling morning walk in the desert. Initially set out to enjoy the tranquility of nature and celebrate a friend's birthday, the walk quickly turns into an adventure. The author reflects on the potential dangers of the desert, such as leopards and cheetahs, and emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's surroundings. The serene landscape is brought to life with descriptions of the vibrant green grass, butterflies, and birds, juxtaposing the harshness of the desert environment. The peaceful silence is broken by the author's close encounters with two scorpions, which prompts a cautious return to camp. The experience reinforces the author's appreciation for the beauty and danger of the desert, as well as the safety measures one must take while traversing such landscapes.

Opinions

The author finds a profound sense of peace in the quietness of the desert, contrasting it with an eerie silence.
There is an underlying respect for the desert's wildlife, with the author acknowledging the presence of leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, and understanding the necessity of caution.
The author is awed by the unexpected sight of green grass in the desert, questioning how such vibrancy can exist in an arid environment.
The encounter with scorpions is both surprising and alarming, leading to a heightened awareness of the potential dangers beneath the desert sand.
The author values the safety of the two mountain zebras living on the property, recognizing the contrast between their secure environment and the perilous "danger zone" of the open desert.
Despite the potential risks, the author expresses a clear passion for exploring nature, as evidenced by their role as a traveler, photographer, writer, and nature lover.

Two Scorpions after Breakfast

When you’re looking for the small things in life

This morning I decided to go for a chilled walk across the fields. Taking my backpack with the camera and a bottle of water I was not planning to go far. The sun is already burning down on me.

For a friend’s birthday, we decided to leave town and drive into the desert. Staying for a few days off the grid. The four of us are here to relax.

Walking over the red sand of this landscape I see a dry part of the desert ahead of me. This place hasn’t gotten rain. At least not anything worth mentioning. But apparently, their rainy season only starts in March. So let’s hope it will still come.

While I am walking across this landscape I start to think about last night’s conversations. All the leopards they’ve seen. The cheetahs and hyenas that call this place their home.

Don’t think about outrunning a cheetah. You won’t succeed. And don’t try to climb a tree to be safe from a leopard. You won’t. And there’s anyway no trees to be seen. Now and then maybe a small one.

I sit down on the dune. I am out of breath even though I haven’t walked for long yet. Once my breathing calms down I can hear it. The blood running through my veins. That’s how quiet it is.

But it’s not an eerie quietness. It’s a peaceful one. Now and then I can hear a bird chirping. Some butterflies are flying over the dunes. I can see far across the landscape.

As I continue to walk I get to see some green grass. Like really green. I always wonder how that happens. Did it rain more at this one specific spot? It’s not really a dip that I would say the water just got collected here.

Further down the dunes, I look onto the rocky slopes to my left. Some birds are flying in and out of the caves. And while I am getting lost in my thoughts it almost happened.

That I stepped onto this little scorpion. Luckily he started to move and I could spot this little creature. The vibrations of my steps might have made him aware of my approach.

Now I walk with my eyes on the ground. And not like I expected it but wanted to avoid getting stung by one. Not even a minute after seeing the first one another scorpion appears in front of me.

That’s it. That was enough. Time to turn around. My water bottle anyway reached the half-way mark. Meaning I need to go back to not run out of water on my hike through the desert.

I was aware of dangerous creatures living in the sand. But you don’t expect, or hope, to see them. Scorpions, lizards, snakes, and lots of beetles are home in these dunes.

I climb back up the dune I just came down on and pass the only trees in this area. Lots of songs are sounding from the branches. Birds are flying in and out of the tree.

Just before getting back to camp, I pass these two zebras. Mountain zebras they are. The mountain zebras are a bit smaller than the zebras living on the plains.

These two are living on this property. Knowing they are safe in between buildings and dogs they prefer to live here than in the wide-open danger zone of the desert.

And this was it. I’ve finished my water bottle as I am stepping back into the room. Telling my friends about the encounter with scorpions they do tell me about how poisonous these little creatures are.

Well, I’m glad I spotted them and didn’t get to feel their painful attack.

More about my photo essays on Medium…

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Broken Soil

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Anne Bonfert is a traveler. Photographer. Writer. Teacher. Skydiving instructor. Adventure enthusiast. Nature lover. And fell in love with the African continent.