small WONDERS

Look out for them in the shake of a branch – a flash of colour, a timorous heartbeat. There are grand displays to be had, and the search for small creatures often delivers much larger ones, walk-on parts in a wild play that will have you standing in your seat.

They say it’s the little things that count.

The theatre was Tembe Elephant Park and a lioness was about to enter, stage left. We could see her in the wings, poised, resolute. A stop to enjoy the antics of a yellow-throated longclaw had revealed the lioness in the distance. We edged closer until we saw another lioness standing on the grassy plain, centre stage. Her demeanour told us that she felt vulnerable. Her ears were