As reading up on biological nitrogen fixation, see African fire finch hopping around ground outside of office. And hear crazy loud buzzing. Finally realize it’s a wasp with an oversized load trying to fly.

Have a meeting with a few researchers to share project findings, current ideas.

As soon as think about going for run hear elephants trumpeting. So Alison and I run some laps on the busy half of ring road with lots of foot and vehicular traffic: less chance of ele presence and high chance of ele detection. Also do some ‘dynamic resistance’ strength exercises. Feels so good to move my body!

Head out for a night game drive – a bunch of folks are interested so we all (=9) load up in a huge land rover with two roof hatches and lots of space. Right away we get the two best views of the night: a few hippos out of the water and a big ole Eagle-owl perching on a branch. Also spy a giraffe right along side of road and get a few glimpses of an aardwolf, genet, and zorilla. Right as we see a spotted hyena lying in the grass and gazelles frantically running around, the spotlight goes out: the plug that goes into the cigarette lighter outlet is totally melted. So *that* was the hot plastic we were smelling before…