World Rhino Day - 22.9.11- Standing proud and strong....

[Hilary Hann]

Not the best photo I've taken but I wanted to post something showing rhinos with their horns, which they should be able to wear without fear of slaughter. Unusual to find black rhinos socialising but on this day we found 7 together in a small group. I'm not sure what the cow with the open mouth was saying, but she made a lot of noise so perhaps she was telling the bull that she wasn't interested. Hopefully not a sight which will disappear any time soon.

Everyone who has any sort of rhino image … I would encourage you to post in support of our rhino friends.

7D; 100-400; 1/500; f5.6; Hand Held. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya 2011

[Harshad Barve]

This is indeed great image Hilary , never seen so many together
TFS

[Robert Amoruso]

I like it. I like the processing too. I would try some shadow lightening too (faces and underbellies).

[Rachel Hollander]

Hilary - very nice grouping and you did well to capture their heads clear from one another. I like the b&w treatment. Let's hope that the authorities can stop the poaching and that the market for the horns disappears as well. You've inspired me to check my files for a rhino shot.

TFS,
Rachel

[Mark Wiseman]

I like this image. Wonderful and very special to see so many black rhino's together. I would give Robert's suggestion a try, TFS. So sad about the poaching, especially in South Africa, no rhino, black or white, is safe.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks everyone. Robert, you are of course quite right about the shadows and I noticed it after posting which was too late to edit and proves just how little attention I pay sometimes to my processing. Now that I've plastered it all over the place, I suppose it is a little late to change, bother.
Rachel, I hope you can dig up a rhino, that would be nice and I know Harshad must have an Indian rhino ready to post.

Mark, yes it is very sad about the poaching. Who knows who will win in the end, the poachers or the conservationists.

[Harshad Barve]

T
I know Harshad must have an Indian rhino ready to post.

Posted one Mam

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Hilary, certainly these are fine specimens of a very endangered animal and a privilege to see them with the horns in tact.

I agree with Robert, but might also try an inverted S curve in Curves and moving the middle slider in Levels to the left both as adjustment layers and the detail comes through nicely. POV is not great as you are shooting down, plus the calf is partially in shot, but tone & colour does work although the antique edging for me is a personal choice.

Peter D I am sure would have added a shot in here Hilary, but he is out in the bush at present and won't be back for a while.

Good call in raising awareness.

TFS
Steve

[Brendan Dozier]

Nice tribute image to the rhino, Hilary, good for you for raising awareness. Nice wild group pose, like the B&W and dry grass texture contrasts nicely with rhinos.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Hilary, thats a fair horn on the rhino most forward, and I like how you have presented the image, frame and all.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Hillary, good of you to raise the awareness, it is horrific to see some of the footage of these magnificent creatures left to die by poachers. Lets hope they can stem the tide. So nice to see a group of Black Rhino like this, lovely horn on the female. Like the B&W treatment. TFS.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Nice sighting indeed Hilary (and good to see you posting an image again )...
That front horn is massive! I like the processing here...but might lose the frame if mine .
The POV is not the best but I do like that it gives them a grassy background and it's not a deal-breaker for me. Thanks for instigating this!

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks everyone for commenting. I agree with everyone's critiques and the reason I hadn't posted any from this particular series prior to this. The POV is all wrong, but it was the only time I was able to get the bull with the cow and her two calves and I particularly wanted to show the group. The other 3 rhinos were off a bit too far to include in this shot.

As regards the border, I kept that for a specific reason and although not to everyones taste it does suit the purpose of making the image look old. It may be the only way we seem them in the years to come, in old, aged and faded photos. So sad.

I appreciate all the comments and Steve, I like your suggestions very much. Thanks.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great to see so many together (my favorite animal)...Like the conversion. Great image for the cause...Thanks Hillary