Up my walking stick and rested it across my knees, cradling Themba’s backpack in the dirt between my feet. I observed many birds and creatures while I rested there in the partial shade of the thorn tree. One black-headed, long-tailed little creature hopped up not three feet from me, giving a long thrilling trrrrrrr noise similar to an alarm clock. With an orange face and shaggy crest, I wished Themba was there to identify the noisy rodent. Later, a couple of yellow-billed hornbills came and picked at the dung, dispersing several beetles as they looked for edible bits. A chestnut bird, reminding me of a finch, hopped from branch to branch and a few rusty-breasted birds I was certain were swallows darted between the trees. For a moment a wave of home-sickness swept over me as I remembered the swallows that gathered mud to make their circular homes under the eaves of my so distant condominium. It seo services was chilly here in the partial shade and I missed the warm sun of Florida, with its broad expansive beaches. But what I missed most was that lost sense of security and being firmly in control of my seo services life. A long millipede passed less than six inches from the toe of my tennis shoes, but I decided that if I didn’t bother it, it wouldn’t bother me. What had Themba called it – a shongololo? A couple times I heard a crackle in the bush and sat very still, hoping that it wasn’t a hungry predator. Where on earth was Themba? I glanced at my watch. It had been thirty minutes! Themba finally appeared, acting like he’d been gone no more than five minutes. I was starting to get worried. I complained like a nagging wife. You said you’d be right back. Did I? We have problems. It’s a very large herd of Cape buffalo spread out over a couple kilometers. It’s very likely part of the herd you saw earlier since they’ve crossed over to this side. They’re heading for the water, but unfortunately doing so at a very slow pace. We need to change direction and skirt the back of the herd. I don’t want to run into any of the impatient young males who have formed several bachelor groups at the rear. They’re frisky and unpredictable. I remembered their frenzied plunge into the water as their thrashing hooves churned up crocs and seo services mud. There was no way I wanted to face any of them on foot. Rising, I nodded and handed his backpack to him. You’re hungry? he acknowledged, the pinched tight look on my pale face making it a fact. I nodded solemnly. When’s the last time you