Distance, Motion

Each wheel turned slowly and without effort along the dusty track. Game was immediately present.

Along a side road we came to a stop near a cluster of plains zebra, dust hanging in the air. Their heads were raised and tails still, two individuals gradually aligning shoulder to shoulder. Stillness broke, each black vertical band in motion among the others, patterns collapsing. Just as quickly stillness returned. I released the brake and continued rolling slowly downhill.

Pausing by a fertile slope, I raised binoculars. Meeting my gaze was a slender creature, alert and motionless. Matching black spires curved gently downward, meeting its skull. The lines drawn continued along its muzzle, both black and white, the former obscuring its eyes. Each muscle was defined under its hide, its legs tight and unflinching.

Distance returned with my binoculars at my waist. The red cliff faces dulled and shadows dispersed. With the tension removed from the drivetrain, the wheels set again in motion.

Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya - January 26, 2024