Almost every week I sit in front of the computer for at least half an hour, gathering my thoughts… During this time I try not to think of anything – keeping my mind void, until this morning that is…
I was staring out the window at nothing in particular – when a Praying Mantis flew right at my head. At first I wasn’t sure what it was – so of course started madly flailing about, trying to rid myself of the unwelcome intruder.
The Mantis flew right onto the computer screen and just sat there, watching me intensely. I then had an epiphany for my safari lodge blog this week, while Mr. Mantis was staring at me with his beady little eyes.
We have all heard the phrase “It’s the small things that count” at least once in our lives. But do we really take this into account?
I am especially referring to safaris. When we are on safari we have a tendency to look around for the largest, most visible animal – and trust me Rangers tend to do exactly the same – it’s in human nature.
But this is the time that we seem to overlook the smaller marvels that nature provides. The Praying Mantis – standing like a proud little warrior – always vigilant. The beautiful yet lethal African Monarch Butterfly – that so gracefully glides through the air – but can eradicate its victim rather easily. A Glossy Starling – hopping from branch to branch searching for its next meal. A bird so often seen – that we habitually overlook its beauty. And there is the mighty little Dung Beetle – who never ceases to amaze me a creature so small in size, but so mammoth in strength and persistence.
And lastly the magnificent Golden Orb Web Spider, not the largest spider, but makes the largest and strongest web. It gets its name from the golden colour of its silk. I know that most people are not very fond of spiders and rather speedily reach for an object to toss in the general direction where the arachnid has been spotted. But if one takes a minute to study these rather remarkable animals, it is quite simple to see why they are so motivating. The web of the Spider is strong enough to trap small birds (if you take into account the size of the spider this is truly outstanding), the spider will not eat the bird – and birds tend to thrash about so vigorously that the web will break. So the spider has come up with a plan to prevent larger insects and birds from destroying its hard work. The spider often leaves a line of insect husks on its web (like the safety strip across glass doors) or it builds smaller barrier webs around the main web.
Personally I find this totally spectacular.
These are the small things – the things that we “look” at everyday – but not necessarily often “see” weh non safari holidays. This morning I “looked” and I “saw” so I would like to thank Mr. Mantis for reminding me that after all it is the small things…
Justine Ferreira