Strange Bufallo?

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 4, 2013108 views6 comments

On our recent visit to Kidepo National Park, Uganda, I noticed that many of the Cape Bufallo had strange markings under their eyes. I can only presume that the white reduces the glare in the same way as certain sportsmen place white pancake makeup (i have no idea what it is really called)

EOS 1DX
500mm F4 MkII
ISO 800
F7.1
1/1600
hand-held from open vehicle

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 4, 2013 at 9:02 AM

I think the white stuff used by sprotsmen is zinc sunblock. Not to reduce glare but prevent sunnburn on prominent features.

I've never noticed this before on buffalo. I would have assumed it was leftover dried mud after a wallow, but it does seem to be more permanent than that.
Fascinating as it does give them a very different look.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on June 4, 2013 at 9:51 AM

Hello Ken

Like the sharpness of his Head & eye area... Well Done!

I think those Veterans Ears could tell us a story or two?

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 4, 2013 at 10:42 AM

Hi Ken. An interesting portrait, I like the head down pose and challenging stare down he's giving. I don't know what's going on with the white stuff on the face. I would think that the white material, I'm assuming this is an ocular or glandular secretion, would actually make the glare worse. Athletes place "black" grease below their eyes to reduce glare. I read that African buffalo are carriers for a number of nasty diseases (eg. foot and mouth disease), so perhaps this is a manifestation of one of those diseases? Just speculating, as I said, I don't know.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 4, 2013 at 5:52 PM

I agree, these light markings on the animals head sure look a bit odd.
Perhaps seen more often in the mature/adult Cape Buffalo?
Sharp details and a good job in this bright sunlight Ken.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Don Westbrook on June 4, 2013 at 9:46 PM

Good job. Interesting, sharp, and a nice pov. Did the locals have any ideas about the substance?

Registered on January 4, 2013, 11 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 5, 2013 at 2:42 AM

Thanks everybody for your comments much appreciated.
I just thought this was "weird" as it is only on some of the vast herds present in this park, I have no explanation, but I am pretty sure it is not disease.
Thanks for clearing up the sunblock name

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments