Steve Morvell Nature Artist

How was the South African experience?………….How does one come away from Africa and answer those questions?…..how was it?…..what was it like? etc. As near as I can resolve the big question my answer would be something like “It was awesome!” Now I need to qualify that by saying isn’t my first trip there but as ever it was awesome in all its many facets ……The fantastic wildlife, culture, colour, opportunities and also its spectacular problems. But for me Africa is, and always will be, about the wildlife. After all it’s pretty hard not to be impressed by the largest land mammals on earth and also many of the most intelligent and dangerous ones…..especially when you are face to face with them in their own habitat and on their own terms……where you are only permitted to remain as long as you respect their personal space and their own unspoken terms.
		When I was chased in my hire car down a road, at high speed in reverse gear, by an enraged bull elephant I began to feel really ‘at home’ with the bush and its critters. When asked later how I had managed to drive backwards and avoid crashing at high speed, watch the road behind over my left shoulder, the elephant in front over my right shoulder and still manage to compose and shoot a whole series of great photos of the rampaging beastie with my right hand out the window……….well frankly I don’t know. But I do know I just wanted to go back and do it all again!!!!!! As long as we go in nature with the idea we are in charge we can never understand it so a good lesson in humility can bring about rapid enlightenment!!!
I had read Chris Mc Bride’s book ‘The white lions of Timbavati’ many years ago and followed his field research into the long fabled and almost mythical ‘White Lions’ which people had long talked about with great interest. The chance to meet several white lions from that naturally occurring bloodline at a private game park was too good to resist(not that I tried) and I spent time on two separate days meeting, cuddling and wrestling them……well the cubs at least!!……….the adults looked a little less cuddly to my eye …lol. I did take away some wonderful memories and not a few scars including nips on the bum and one on my left nipple which is still healing…hehehehehe. But all in the spirit of engaging with my subjects I felt it only proper to subject myself to the terrible mauling at their hands (should I say paws?) J Of course for those in the know it’s important to note these white lions are NOT albino at all but simply the result of a recessive gene.
		Cubs of both white and the usual tawny can be from the same litter and only when both parents carry that gene do the white cubs appear. Truly the males particularly are grand and impressive animals to see. These lions are now protected in reserves because (apparently) their white coats are just too tempting to poachers who would think nothing of killing them to sell the skins to unprincipled buyers from wealthy countries.
I also achieved a life long desire to visit the famous De Wildt Cheetah breeding centre and was awed by the amount of work, depth of vision and consistent effort put in by Anne and her wonderful team over so many years so that the world can continue to enjoy and learn about such beautiful creatures as the cheetahs, African painted dogs, Caracals and vultures and to naturally learn about their ecology as well as the desperate need to preserve them. Entering into the large bushland enclosures with the cheetahs and also the painted dogs is an experience I will long cherish.
Of course Africa is not just about huge, ferocious and celebrated animals. It is also full of smaller but equally beautiful creatures such as the common ‘ Cape glossy starling’…. A bird of such startling beauty as to defy belief. When you realise there are several different forms of glossy starling and each equally lovely and add to it such subtle beauties as the Lilac breasted roller and dozens of other intriguing birds, mammals like Kudu and stunning insects…..well…..I’m there !!! lol
In the final analysis Africa is like a state of mind….. It is BIG in every way and even the sunsets never seem ‘usual’!! Everything feels larger, brighter, more colourful and more………….. …umm….. well….EVERYTHING. Can’t wait to get back…lol
		I just have to be patient and have a lot of amazing material to work from first with a reservoir of memories which will hopefully never leave me :)))