The Unexpected Frame

Illusion or not, balance tilts when we push too far.

Imagine, you are in an iconic location, a place where some timeless images are made. With that awe and dream, you start your day. It feels like the day is unfolding just for you, and the universe is conspiring in your favour. Everything is looking just about right; you are seeing the frames forming as you envisioned; and then, unexpectedly, an extra-terrestrial element parks itself right in front of you.

Given the circumstances, you can’t avoid it. At first, you’re flustered, trying to work around it, but the game will only last a few minutes, so you decide: if I can’t avoid it, I might as well play.

Yes, I am on the dry lakebed of Amboseli National Park (Kenya), and a massive herd of elephants is going to cross the lake bed on their eternal quest for food and water.

I thank my stars and take my position in advance, careful not to spook the herd.  Once they start crossing, there’s no way to move. It’s a huge herd spreading across the lakebed; so I expect them both near and far in the frames. 

As the elephants come closer, I make some frames while staying motionless, trying to go unnoticed. But whom am I fooling? They are one of the most intelligent four-legged species on earth. Blissfully, they ignore, which, for a change, is exactly what we, proud humans, want today.

Finally, they are about to cross right in front and I’m ready with my settings and composition. Here I notice a jeep parked in the distance, capturing another part of the herd. My first instinct is one of frustration, and I run through options—but realistically, there are none. The elephants are there, the jeep is there and I decide to play the hand I have been dealt.

The result is a series of playful images that bring a smile, but they also carry a gentle message. It’s a fun illusion, yes, but it reminds us that these giants share their land with us. When our presence grows heavier than theirs, the balance of the wild can tip in ways we may not intend. Sometimes, nature even uses humor to nudge us toward respect.