david korte photographs

Our telephone is ringing at 6:20 this morning.  Luanne is calling.  Luanne’s house overlooks Lake Yenzi, and there is an elephant swimming in the lake.  It is not that unusual, for the two males have been seen swimming together several times over the past few weeks.  I decide to go have a look, so with camera over shoulder, I peddle my way to Luanne’s house.

This is an elephant that loves the water.  He is rolling sideways, diving below the surface, blowing bubbles (from both ends), mostly just bobbing around.

I should be paying closer attention, for soon his brother pads across the garden, surprising those of us that have come to watch.

I am hoping his brother doesn’t notice me standing at the edge of the boat shed, but I can see when he makes eye contact, and then begins moving my way, requiring me to scramble to the back of the shed where I hope he will forget I am hiding.  Soon his attention shifts to the lake and he turns to join his brother.  They seem to play well together, wrestling with trunks, climbing onto each other, the click of ivory against ivory, the squeak of slick elephant skin punctuated by the gurgling, bubbling trunks.