All geared up
Wound up in anticipation
Climbing onto the jungle jeeps
In their earthy hues
Standing tall on the metal frames
An unimpeded view all around
Jolting on the roads
Then suddenly off
On forest trails
Undulating through the trees
Banked by termite mounds
Through the grassy flats
And monsoon river
Sedate langurs strike a pose
Green wings, yellow beaks, red chests
Flutter at the tips of the tall grass
A lazy monitor lizard or two
Taking only moments to size up the invasion
Amble across the uneven ground
A mongoose scampers past
As we stop to measure its progress
Disappearing into the undergrowth
Then – the guide points out
To the lumbering passage of
The other uncrowned king of the jungle
Making his heavy way to the water hole
Our presence sensed; he walks this way
Trunk up high with a deep warning rumble
Satisfied, he carries on
Washing, blowing dust onto broad grey back
Claiming his surroundings with inherent majesty
Tired, making our way back
A pug mark – sign of the elusive tigress!
Parked in silence with bated breath
Willing her to make an appearance
Almost giving up and in an instant
She goes past – a flash!
Seen by only two of us but a tale for the rest
Tall eucalyptus and exploding lantana – soon to be gone
Strutting pheasant and quail
A tortoise camouflaged against rocks on a dry riverbed
The paradise flycatcher’s unmatched tail in flight
Complete the collage of an afternoon
Where life carries on in a timeless cycle
