Africa Calls.

Chapter 8.
                                                                         

After their experience the day before with the talk of poachers and gunfire, Nick and Dawn were quite happy to have the day at camp.
This was their chance to enjoy the beautiful wild surrounds  and do a little bird watching. There was to be a short walk that afternoon with a resident guide and they were looking forward to spotting some maybe rare birds. Tomorrow they were off to another camp and stopping off to see the flamingo's, and hopefully the fish eagle.                                                                

Time passed quickly that morning, enjoying the antics of the monkeys that had come down to investigate some ladies bag she had left by the pool. A crisp packet was quickly claimed and the thief was off like a shot up the nearest tree, with a lot of indignant screeching when shooed off. Another person threw a couple of bananas at the little group, ignoring the signs asking you not to feed the animals around. But like all humans, the heart was melted when little hands were held out and cute furry faces appealed up at you with big brown eyes.
Lying on your back in the cool water of the pool, watching the monkey's swinging in the trees was more than anyone could wish for.
                                                                       

Later walking back to their tent the warthog family came snuffling around. They gave them a wide berth as Mum's tusks looked like they could cause damage if used on human flesh. Something they did not want to happen. There was still so much more to do and see. This was the adventure of a lifetime.
  Both had heard that there might be a leopard in a huge clump of rocks.  Some of the other tourists had also talked of going out to try and see it, but no luck so far.This was something they had  all wanted to see, Knowing how elusive this big cat could be, they were sure Thomas would help them spot it. They were really thankful he had remained their driver.Nothing was ever too much trouble and he went out of his way to help them get the best photo, but always thinking of the animals welfare and not frightening them.
Their evening after a last dip in the pool, was sitting round the camp fire watching the moon rise in the inky black sky. Embers glowed and the occasional spark from a log drifted up.
They all chatted away, little tales of animals seen, and what they were hoping to do next. A couple of the others in the group were well seasoned travellers, and had them in fits of laughter at some of the things they had done. Dawn felt a little envious, she would have loved to be able to travel to some of these far off countries.Oh well, you never knew what life had ahead for you.
"Do you want me to top up your wine glass? I'm getting myself another beer" said Nick getting up from his chair. A hippo snorted in response making them all laugh.

Up in the rocks the leopard preened her cubs after the meal they had just eaten.
Other animals were trying to settle, some more restless than others.

A storm was starting to brew, the finger of death, waiting to point.
Little did they know what was in store for them.

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Gradually starting to get some foliage in around Ratty. I keep seeing other areas that need a quick touch up. A lot of tidying up where needed . I will wait until the soft pastel background has been done.
                                          

 Hope you will join me again next week.