Every morning when I get up for work, I peek through the curtains to see what the weather might have in store for us. Normally this time of the year the skies are almost continuously clear and the most beautiful shade of sapphire one can imagine.
The sun produces an array of beams through the shade of the colossal Leadwood tree next to my window; it creates the most striking patterns on the floor next to my bed. I lay there for at least an hour every morning watching as the day starts to unfold around me. A stream of light fills the room and the sun is officially starting a new dawn. In the animal kingdom the birds are the first of the creatures to start communicating the start of a new day, there are multiple Purple Crested Turaco that have made our garden their home, their distinct “kok….kok……kok….” can be heard by all. They are usually the first to greet, closely followed by the Fork Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Yellow Billed Hornbill and of course the ever present Grey Turaco. The latter having the most distinctive call in the Avian Kingdom, it is also locally known as the “Go Away Bird”. The story behind the this specific appellation is the call that it makes which I suppose sounds a bit like “Kweh..h…h..” or “Go….Awaaay….” infamously known for warning antelope whenever there might be a hunter present. It is also very nearly time for the Woodland Kingfisher to make its appearance. A magnificently decorated little bird, with a very unique (and continuous) call that I might interpret as “ yimp…ttrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” .
When the birds have finally settled in their morning routine, the Vervet monkeys like to jump from what seems the highest branch of the same Leadwood Tree and start playing around on the roof of my house. I often wonder if they might secretly be reenacting the Lord of the Dance, because from where I am lying in my bed it sure sounds like Michael Flately himself is tapping away on the thatch. The monkeys also do not hesitate for a minute to make themselves heard! Constantly chattering away and I am sure, recalling the happenings of the evening. Which I suppose is why there is such an uncanny resemblance between man and ape. It never seizes to amaze me, the sounds of the African Bush, especially at dusk and dawn.
As I leave my house to walk to the vehicle, I spot a small family of Nyala Antelope. The fierce and robust Male Nyala, proudly keeping a watchful eye over his little family. The graceful and elegant female, with her reddish-brown coat and little snow white spots splashed over the body. The youngster is keeping a vigilant eye on me, curious as to whom or what I am. This little family seems to loom outside the staff village permanently; I guess they are now residents.
A colony of termites have started building a new mound just west of the gate outside our little village, they are harvester termites, I watch them endlessly collect pieces of grass for construction , and the mound is growing by the day. Termite mounds can get pretty big out here, and they are fascinating little creatures.
So everything and all emerges from their night’s rest and starts the new and fresh day with a loud call, a very excited chatter, a curious eye or immediately jumping into some hard labor. We as humans are very much alike, I am sure that each and every one can relate to some form of mammal, insect or bird in our morning routines.
*Justine Ferreira – *Pictures: Craig Carnaby
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