Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Slither


In keeping with this year's animal theme, here's the latest addition - a python from Valley of 1000 Hills in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. This guy weighed a fair bit, was smooth to the touch and, IMHO, highly judgemental. S/he sat very still, watching, watching, glancing casually from side to side. Didn't contribute to the conversation at all. I felt certain the snake could speak and was just waiting for the right moment.

To strike.

The moment never came. But the rain did. In buckets. Thus my bedraggled look. And the expression which says everything from "how cool is this, I'm holding a python", to "geez don't crush me don't crush me", or even "maybe if I hold this big snake people will think I'm straight".

Minutes after this shot was taken, we (Brooke Langton, pic snapper Greg and I) went outside to meet "Junior" - a 101 year old croc of generous proportion. He was nowhere to be seen, but it didn't stop our intrepid guide from leaning over the fence and using a long stick to splash Jnr's pond. Moments later, a pair of nostrils surfaced, then a massive head and then (after a beat) the whole beast lunged at the stick and fence. Brooke screamed and we all leapt back, laughing and breathing hard. What a thrill.

So that's chimps, crocs and snakes. What does that leave me with?

Oh dear.

I know...

Kids!

2 comments:

  1. Nice!
    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog... yours inspired mine, so there. Hope you have a great california summer... xxx heike

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  2. Hey i met Gideon and he's is so kind and hard working.it's true we worked in cold very cold weather,all tho i was just a stand-in it was great Fun to work with all of them.i had the chance two work with him and was a great adventure
    love all the way from ladysmith south africa

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