As the river drops, its waters become clear, making life easier for the African fish eagle. This is the time that all the fishermen around the falls have been waiting for.

 

Now the nights are cold, so, so cold.  The river above the falls is lost in mists every morning. I like this time. Each day as the mist lifts, I see more life returning to Zambezi. Ah, the skimmers have come home. They have been away for many months. They come back as the receding waters have revealed some banks and islands, safe from danger, they are perfect places to nest. For now, they fly in formation, calling and displaying as they search for the best ponds.

 

They will wait until the beaches have emerged before they begin to build their nests.  And as the waters drop, the shallow pools are full of fish. This is a good time for them to start to raise a family. The bull hippos are displaying now. Every morning their calls echo across the river, letting other males know who’s boss. There are many hippos above the falls. They are so, so dangerous. I prefer to fish in a gorge where there are none. But I like to visit Zambezi up here, everyday she shows me something new.