'Sleeping beauty'
Resting in a depression on a large vine (lliana) along the trail. It is here for hours, until the rain poured.
Inasmuch as its venom is lethal, the viper is quite vulnerable in this passive state - can easily be picked up and killed by locals, especially for food in this region. In fact, this viper species, like the gaboon, is a popular animal protein source.
Being found behind, or beyond the cutline of the forest reserve determines survival - life, or death for the spectacular wildlife.
Spent the entire day tracking collared elephants in a herd. From about 8am to about 5pm.
Initially, wrongly read coordinates sends us on wild goose chase. But eventually caught up with them later in the evening by 4pm.
Large herd with several bulls. Still tall grass hampered a good sighting. Knowing they will cross the road, we waited a long way ahead. That's how we found them. It was deserving, rewarding, a good day to end the day.
Nesting in tree bough