Elephant Power

Sri Lanka12 photographs2005

It's 70 miles from Colombo to Kandy. Pedal to the metal, you can do it in 3 hours, mainly because you can't put the pedal to the metal. Half the time, maybe, you'll see an elephant at work and/or play. Here's an example.

A muddy track across an abandoned paddy field. The elephant has already made half a dozen trips, dragging two logs each time.

A muddy track across an abandoned paddy field. The elephant has already made half a dozen trips, dragging two logs each time.

He approaches.

He approaches.

He gets the logs into position.

He gets the logs into position.

Heavy lifting.

Heavy lifting.

He's putting them with the others already stacked next to the highway.

He's putting them with the others already stacked next to the highway.

Hardly needs ordering; he knows what to do.

Hardly needs ordering; he knows what to do.

Last few feet.

Last few feet.

Amazing how easy it seems.

Amazing how easy it seems.

Time for a break.

Time for a break.

And here comes some company. The elephant plays innocent.

And here comes some company. The elephant plays innocent.

Can't resist tickling the woman's toes.

Can't resist tickling the woman's toes.

On to the next job, a bit of green lunch in tow.

On to the next job, a bit of green lunch in tow.