This young elephant, wielding his “mighty” branch like a medieval knight would his sword, gave us some great entertainment when Joubert and I visited the Kruger National Park last week. He intimidated us with his fierce strokes, and we yielded, but then an elderly couple in another vehicle did not pay him the necessary respect and he went into an even more brutal display for their benefit. Lucky for them he stepped on his own sword, and snapped it, so he stepped back into the long grass at the side of the road…
Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)
Elephant youngster wielding his weapon of choice
Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant wielding his mighty sword (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park
Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)
Sir Elephant challenging a vehicle in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)
… where he picked up another branch just as the next vehicle – a campervan – drew closer.
Sir Elephant picking a new sword (photo by Joubert)
Most of these photographs were taken by Joubert
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Pragtige foto’s van die olifant!
Baie dankie, Aletta!
Excellent shots of Sir Elephant by Joubert! Some people can’t read what the animal intentions are and do not anticipate their moves. Animals have their own rules and we must not break them. Thank you, D. and Joubert. 🙂
You are quite right, H.J. Knowing the difference between an agitated elephant and a playful elephant can be tricky.
This is a gorgeous smile 😀
A lift for the spirit, that’s for sure. Thanks, Cee.
Elephants are such engaging creatures.
I agree wholeheartedly, Lori
Big fan of the tale in this post. Joubert told a great photo story.
Thank you very much, John!
Great shots Joubert 😊
I’ll pass your kind comment to him, thanks Quentin
The wonderful images by Joubert tell such a story and I do feel for the elephant though and hope he didn’t have to spend all day dealing with the paparazzi!
I think he quite liked having something to poke at! 😀
Ag, die bravade – en toe breek die ou sy tak 😆
Ons kon ook nie help om te lag nie, Tannie Frannie
There are times when one can simply enjoy the antics of an elephant yet, one cannot help formulating an escape route / plan in one’s mind. Joubert has taken excellent photographs.
We’ve learned not to give these playful tykes too much of an opportunity to get up to mischief!
When I was in Kenya, years ago, we spent one afternoon in our tourist van, watching a group of elephants. One mother was teaching her baby to use its trunk to lift up grass to its mouth to eat. She came right over to our van and looked into the open top. Our daughter was very nervous but our guide told her she was quite safe as long as we stayed in the van and the mother elephant was teaching her baby that the van was safe but he said if we got out and she saw were were on two legs she could become dangerous. I have never forgotten this afternoon. It was wonderful . I loved seeing your stick wielding fellow!
They’re amazing creatures, Anne. I could also watch them for hours.
What a great thing to see! Thanks for sharing both the narrative and the shots. When I see elephants, I often think of the story of the blind men and the elephant. 🙂
That is a great story to remind people of in these times of “fake news”!
Good thought!
Am I not scaring anyone??!! Such a great series! Poor Ellie. 🐘
He didn’t look like the kind that would give up! I bet someone was taught a lesson along that road at some point that day… 😀