WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

It is something about water. Water is life, for sure. But water is also fun. Water can cause so much joy. To humans and animals alike. And I don't think any other animals splash as much in the water as elephants do.

A while ago I wrote a piece about water adventures around the world as an entry post to a writing challenge. While I wrote about all the different experiences I've made with and in water, I also asked my readers which of the listed activities they'd love to read more about.

I didn't get much feedback but Wendi Gordon wrote

"They all intrigued me and I especially enjoyed the photos. Since I love wildlife encounters, if I had to choose one to read more about I'd pick watching the elephants play in the water. That's definitely a unique experience few of us will ever have!"

Watching elephants play in the water — Ghana 2014

I didn't expect much of the trip. That was and still is my mindset when traveling. The less you expect, the less you can get disappointed but the more you will get surprised.

It was an organized trip to one of the national parks in the country while I was working as a volunteer in Ghana. The journey of getting there was a challenge in itself but that's another story.

The first morning in the park we were supposed to go on a walking safari. We were, I'm guessing now, about 20 volunteers and surely a chatty bunch. Of course, we all enjoyed meeting other "westerners" and exchanging our experiences.

I was keen on seeing animals. But I also knew we were too loud and too late. To see animals in the wild you either need to get up very early or wait until sunset.

However, I got surprised and excited just half an hour after we started to walk. Approaching the water hole we could see the elephants from far.

"Elephants in the water" everyone was shouting.

Yes, we all saw them.

Those were my first elephants in the wild. I'd only ever seen elephants in a zoo before. And these elephants were free. But they chose to spend the morning in the water. Understandable in this blazing heat of northern Ghana.

At first, we didn't see much of the elephants but their heads floating on the water's surface. But soon some movement was to be seen.

Some younger elephants were in the group and they kept on raising their trunk out of the water and letting them fall back down. Causing a big splash.

Then two of them started wrestling. In the water. For fun. It seemed like it at least.

It was just such a happy scene. Birds were sitting on the shore of the water hole and even an antelope walked past without feeling disturbed. All you could hear were the splashes of water caused by the elephants.

Elephants playing in the mud — Tanzania 2015

A few months later and a few experiences richer I was just starting out on a 5-day safari into the famous Serengeti. But before entering the site we made a stop at Tarangire National Park where we saw lions walking next to elephants and where a herd of them was using the last bit of water to cool themselves off.

Even though it might look like it to us, elephants don't play in the water just for the fun of it. They throw water and mud onto their back to protect the skin from the unforgiving sun.

And yes, when there's no water left, then you take all the mud you can find. At least there is still some moisture left to cool down your body and protect your skin from the sun.

And maybe, just maybe, they also do enjoy playing in the mud as we do.

Elephants drinking at a water hole — Namibia 2016

Water isn't just for cooling. It's for drinking in the first place of course. Before starting to play and cool themselves, elephants also drink the holy substance.

And in case you didn't know how elephants drink, they do take up lots of water with their trunk but then fill it into their mouth and swallow it. Young elephants still need to learn this technique which is why they sometimes fall into the water at the beginning trying to drink with their mouth directly.

The picture below was taken in one of the country's most popular national parks. It was the dry season and not many water holes were left. This herd of elephants took over this place over lunchtime while most other creatures were hiding somewhere out of the sun.

A lone elephant bull cooling himself — Namibia 2021

When there is not enough water around or they are walking through the midday heat like this elephant bull, they do need to find water from time to time to protect themselves from the unforgiving African sun.

We were driving on our way out of the Etosha pan not expecting to see any more wildlife when this elephant was spotted just next to the road. If he had been any deeper in the bush we would have had no chance of seeing him.

But as we stopped we also saw he had a reason for standing there. We couldn't see the water on the ground but kept on seeing him throwing water and mud with his trunk onto his body.

I can only imagine how refreshing it must have felt.

Elephants finishing the day at the water hole — Namibia 2017

When visiting one of the national parks in the country, it is most likely to see elephants during the dry season at sunset or just after. Right at the water hole. It's where they recharge their water supplies after a long day in the heat before heading out for another walk.

These elephants didn't stop at the edge of the water but walked straight into it drinking from it as they went. And I took a moment to capture the beauty of the closing day.

"They say an elephant never forgets. What they don't tell you is, you never forget an elephant." — Bill Murray

I hope, Wendi, this was something you had asked for. Even though it took some time, I finally managed to finish this piece. Once again, thank you for your feedback.

More about my wildlife encounters:

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