david korte photographs

It was the crack of branches that drew my attention to the kitchen window.  The familiar sound signaled the approach of an elephant.  Stepping outside to figure its location, I was surprised to see two large bulls facing off in the back garden.  They were totally preoccupied with each other, sparring across the garden, leaving trampled hedges and furrows of crumpled grass in their wake.  I followed them for awhile, watching from behind a bush here, a tree there, then behind our neighbor’s car, cautious to not divert attention from their rivalry.  The care with which they placed tusks against faces suggested a friendly challenge.  The click of ivory and low grumbling to the accompaniment of snapping and crunching vegetation was soundtrack for the ballet of the giants as they pirouette in a slow-motion pas de deux across the garden and on into the evening.