About two weeks or so ago I came across this male who was with a cow in heat. He stayed with her and the calf over the next few days until after much attention from him she finally was ready to stand for him. I came across them late one morning and watched their interaction. They were about a hundred meters off in an open area. I watched them for a while before taking out my gear as this happens numerous times over the next few days. I really battled to find a decent position to shoot from as there were those usual painful bushes that always seem to get in the way.
There was little groups of zebra( some of them also mating) and other general game in the near vicinity so I couldn't even stalk them on foot to get closer, without giving myself away and disturbing the rhino pair.
Cloudy dim rainy weather and distance did not help with IQ but thought I would share this with you all. I have two other interesting and different shots of him dismounting and also the initial 'chin pushing on her rump' behaviour when he tests her to see if she will stand for him. I might post these with this thread if anyone is keen to see them.
This mounting and dismounting behaviour can happen a number of times before he finally gets to business. The reason he is testing her thoroughly is because he can be on top of her for up to half an hour at times in between sessions whilst resting on her and he is heavy. It is also quite tiresome for him too. Rhino behaviour and communication is quite impressive. They have so many different squeals, grunts, roars, lip chomping and body actions to communicate with.
There is a young calf partially hidden behind on the right hand side and few cows and young male looking on OR perhaps waiting their turnWhite rhino are very gregarious I have seen up to 26 together at times especially on the lushy green pastures.
There is a lot of distraction in the foreground here too.
1D Mk IV - 300mm f2.8L IS USM Mk II plus 2x extender Mk III
Beanbag
ISO 800 - I knew that the distance and poor light would bring in a lot of noise so I tried shooting at this to lessen that but suffered ss.
1/800sec - f8
ACR basics
PSE 9 - adjustment layers -levels-sat- Viveza for curves
I took most of the colour casts out. The redness on them comes from the typical red soils from the area. Some of the grey colour is from ash from burnt patches in the veld.
C&C welcome







White rhino are very gregarious I have seen up to 26 together at times especially on the lushy green pastures.
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