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Thread: Forest Elephant

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Forest Elephant

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    Apologies, folks - I am disappearing again. My wife and I got the opportunity to visit the Sabi Sands for 4 nights starting on Friday, and we just couldn't say no

    Before I go, though...

    I always seem to run out of superlatives when talking about experiencing a moment on foot with an elephant in Mana Pools. It's one of the most humbling, awe-inspiring and gratifying things you can experience when on safari. We spent a whole afternoon with this relaxed (totally wild) bull, as he was feeding from the forest canopy along the banks of the Zambezi river. This was taken crouching down on foot, he was closer to me than our "getaway" vehicle was! :)


    Oh, and I know perfectly well this is not an "African Forest Elephant" (Loxodonta cyclotis), but in fact an "African Bush Elephant" (Loxodonta africana). I choose my titles from a literary standpoint... ;)



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    Morkel Erasmus

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - And we don't get tired of your elephant shots from Mana Pools. This one is nicely composed and I like the golden light hitting the ground. I would tame the highlights in the portion of the river visible to the left of and behind the ele. I hope you get lots of great opportunities in the Sabi Sands.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Morkel,

    very nice ice capture a bush elephant in its habitat. I know what you meant by awe inspiring when you are on foot looking up at s giant. They are truly magnificent and bigger than life when you are on foot.

    I'm OK with the highlights. That is what you saw with your naked eye I imagine. The wide dynamic range of this image is super.

    loi

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you Morkel for sharing this special image, I too like the habitat here and especially that golden light filtering through the forest.

    I hope Sabi brings you more sightings to share with us, travel safely and I look forward to see your images when you return:)

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Hi Morkel ! Beautiful image and Elephants are always wonderful to see. the golden hue makes this image look beautiful and as Rachel pointed out abt the bright river in the BG , thts the only thing distracting from the wonderful scene .

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,

    just love the Mana ellis. Just wish this one would look to the left and not right with the tree right in front of him. Oh well, we cannot have everything... sadly

    Enjoy Sabi Sabi

    Ciao Anette

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, like the low POV and warm morning light.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Another great image Morkel. I love the dynamic range and you have captured that amazing golden glow of a late african afternoon. Do you ever feel unsafe on foot with these giants? Have heard a couple of scary first hand accounts.

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  16. #9
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone!

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles Jorgensen View Post
    Another great image Morkel. I love the dynamic range and you have captured that amazing golden glow of a late african afternoon. Do you ever feel unsafe on foot with these giants? Have heard a couple of scary first hand accounts.
    Charles, not one anxious moment in Mana for me. For our safaris we use a very calm and skilled Zim guide as well to ensure nobody misreads the animals or puts them under undue pressure.
    Morkel Erasmus

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