Sometimes, dead is better

The season of short rains has begun and all sorts of crazy animals have come (sometimes literally) out of the woodwork. One dragonfly like creature is particularly of note because of its simple life.
1) The bug flies around bumping into things until it falls out of the sky.
2) In falling, sometimes it rights itself. Goto 1)
3) Most of the time, the creature lands helplessly on the ground. Where it can:
A) Die from being in a weird position for a long period of time.
B) Die from being crushed by the environment or eaten by some other bug.
C) Against all physical laws, right itself and begin to fly again. Goto 1)

Another of Africa's less celebrated children is a bird that looks like a turkey with black feathers and white polka-dots. It's head is white or blue and its comb (is that just for roosters?) head stands stiffly at odd angles. However, it is not the strange appearance of this bird that is most notable, but its ability to make noises. Horrible screeching and coughing sounds are popular, but my favorite is the perfect imitation of a hand water pump. Every weird sound I now hear I attribute to these birds.

We often hear about the detrimental effect we are having on the environment and the danger species are in of going extinct, but aren't some creatures (this pseudo-dragonfly, for instance) deserving of extinction and others (the birds) deserving of selective breeding to increase their numbers? I think we all know, deep in our hearts the correct answer.

In more serious news, all is well here and I'm pleased to shadow a volunteer next week to find out what the life is "really" like. Unfortunately, interruptions in the schedule may mean no posts for quite some time. Be strong, I will write when I can.