A Fine Balance

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 1, 2012363 views20 comments

Some more from Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

One of the main goals of our trip was to photograph the elephants in the iconic forests of this park (consisting of Ana and Acacia trees)...the cherry on top would be to be able to photograph the bull elephants standing erect on their hind legs to break off branches to fee on (the trees grow very tall here). Well, the cherries fell on us in droves, particularly supplied by this large bull who was very adept at it and would repeat this behaviour quite a few times every time we came across him.

This image was captured early one morning when we found him and his 2 younger "askari" cohorts in a very photogenic patch of trees. With the advantage of being able to get out and walk around as you please in this park, we got out and ran around like mad men for 2 hours capturing a ton of amazing images. I will never forget that experience. This is one of my favourite "rises". I hope you like seeing this as much as I liked being able to photograph it!

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-1250
handheld, crouching
full frame, cropped for slight rotation

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Baker on July 1, 2012 at 10:24 PM

Great behavior shot! I really like the comp too

Registered on May 3, 2012, 23 Posts, 64 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on July 1, 2012 at 10:27 PM

Fine photograph! I like the pose, I like how you have him framed within the trees, and the color, detail and sharpness! Like your story behind the photo also. Thanks for sharing a unique moment.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on July 2, 2012 at 9:50 AM

Great behavior shot and you captured it very well. Congrats on getting this!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 2, 2012 at 10:31 AM

One of the coolest wildlife shots I've seen in a while. Great behavior and pose. Wish the larger version was a bit larger.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on July 2, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Wonderful image Morkel.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 2, 2012 at 12:32 PM

This reminds me of Ken Watkins' images of these pachyderms of Mana Pools posted here. Must be a cool photographic setting. I just cannot believe they let mad men with cameras run around wild elephants (without a guide present?); that 's asking for accidents to happen.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on July 2, 2012 at 12:38 PM

Hi Morkel, you know I like this already, the colours, light, time of day & pose by the elephant just makes for a great image.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 2, 2012 at 12:39 PM

Thanks folks.

Vincent, I should have mentioned my friend who was with me is a FGASA Level 3 guide who works for one of the best safari companies in Southern Africa, and the person who took us on the trip is also a FGASA qualified guide. That being said, their guidelines don't mention anything about NEEDING a guide so it is a potentially dangerous situation if people don't know how to read animal behaviour and adapt their own accordingly.

That being said - the Americans seem fine with that with people allowed to get out of their vehicles in Yellowstone etc.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on July 2, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Terrific. Lovely light on the trees and of course this is a great behavior shot.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 2, 2012 at 7:04 PM

Wow, haven't seen a photo of this behaviour before. Must have been incredible to see an animal this large outstretched and ripping branches off these tall trees. Is this a starvation technique, or just normal feeding behaviour? Nice piece to add to your portfolio.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 2, 2012 at 8:14 PM

A stunning photograph Morkel!

Must have been an extra-ordinary experience roaming around on foot with these giants.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on July 3, 2012 at 9:32 AM

Gorgeous capture!!

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on July 3, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Great balaning act !
I like your choice of framing between the trees!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 3, 2012 at 11:38 AM

Thanks so much for the kind comments everyone!!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on July 3, 2012 at 9:29 PM

Another winner Morkel! I love the early morning light and the low angle you can only get on foot.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Ruben Vicente on July 6, 2012 at 6:11 PM

Superb shot mate, amazing behavior!

Registered on April 9, 2011, 4 Posts, 59 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 8, 2012 at 11:41 AM

Truly excellent capture from Mano Pools!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on July 10, 2012 at 10:55 AM

awesome!

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 10, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Thanks so much, guys...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 10, 2012 at 5:22 PM

Excellent!!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments