Some highlights of the past few weeks:
Many long, hot days in field, but Barnaba continues to be rockstar in field – with no verbal communication, he identifies what needs to be done, helps out whenever he can, and executes with amazing attention to detail. And he’s willing to get covered in biting ants. Repeatedly. Amazing eyes – for juicy nectaries and for ants returning home with food bits. Great time showing him how an aspirator works to collect ants. Essentially, it’s a canister with two tubes coming out the top – you inhale with one while placing the second by the to-be-captured ant. The tube to your mouth has a screen so the ant is sucked into canister and not all the way down your throat. I gesticulated/communicated the basics and then placed a small piece of paper in my hand with which he could practice. He looking a little dubious at the whole operation but then put the tube in his mouth and took a deep inhale. I could see this big pause and questioning look on his face, like where’s the paper? He sees the paper in the canister and gets this huge smile and laughs. Ah, that’s how it really works!
Spent part of Sunday hanging out by the river with the gals kicking back with some G and Ts. Although the weather caused us to pack up early, did get to watch some eles munch in the rain on the way home.
Run for the first time solo in awhile, get attention of kids when head up to the small airstrip by the village. Three young boys start running with me. I ask them their names, don't get a response (guess it's a language thing) and then it's just their wheezing and coughing breaking the monotony of out running shoes on the ground. They stop, I continue and turn around when I hit the end of the airstrip. Upon passing them on the return, they're waiting for me and instantly fall into step, this time repeating "Give me your watch" "Please, please." I had heard the "Give me chocolate now!" request, but the watch is a new one to me. I smile and continue on but the "Please!" continues. I have to stop to tie my shoes, and one boy does, too. So I wait until he's done. I say "Ready?" crouch, and sprint off. I get a few heavy steps and laughs as I run back tothe station.
One day in the field a group of giraffes were having their breakfast just across a glade (=treeless area where a cattle boma was set up some time in the past). They just stood there and browsed for awhile, then caught wind of us, stared, and then loped off into the bush. So cool to be that close them out of a vehicle.
Right next to the banda is an old termite mound with some new occupants. Was leaving when I heard some squeaking and saw some furry movement. Stood quiet for a bit and then saw a few heads poke out of the ground. After a little patience managed to capture a moments of some vigilant Dwarf mongoose.
