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African elephant


African elephant
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2553 W: 74 N: 7464] (30441)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger National Park
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite African animal photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-23 4:04
Viewed: 4495
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The African Bush Elephant is an intelligent animal. Experiments with reasoning and learning show that they are the smartest ungulates together with their Asian cousins. This is mostly due to their large brain.

Herds are made up of related females and their young, directed by the eldest female, called the matriarch. Infrequently, an adult male goes with them, but those usually leave the pack when reaching adolescence to form herds with other elephants of the same age. Later, they spread out, carrying out a lonely life, approaching the female herds only during the mating season. Nevertheless, elephants do not get too far from their families and recognise them when re-encountered. Sometimes, several female herds can blend for a period of time, reaching even hundreds of individuals.

The matriarch is the one who decides the route and shows to each other member of the herd all the water sources she knows, which the rest will memorize in the future. The relations among the members of the herd is very tight; when a female gives birth to a baby the rest go to acknowledge it touching her with the trunk; and when an old elephant dies the rest of the herd will stay by the corpse for a while. The famous elephant graveyards are a myth, but it is true that these animals can recognise a carcass of its species when they find one during their trips, and even if it is a stranger, they form around it and sometimes they even touch its forehead with their trunk.

Mating happens when the female feels ready, an event that can occur anytime during the year. When she is ready, she starts emitting infrasounds that attract the males, sometimes from kilometers away. The adult males start arriving at the herd during the following days and begin fighting, causing some injuries and even broken tusks. The female shows her acceptance of the victor by rubbing her body against his. They mate, and then both go their own way. After 22 months of gestation (the longest among mammals), the female gives birth to a single 90 cm high calf which weighs more than 100 kg. The baby feeds on the mothers milk until the age of 5, but also eats solid food from as early as 6 months old. Just a few days after birth the calf can follow the herd by foot.

Some African Bush Elephants will attack and kill rhinoceroses. This behaviour, when it occurs, is mostly observed with younger adult male elephants who have come into musth prematurely.
(wiki)






Camera Model Name
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time
15/10/2007 07:37:33
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/1000Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F5.0
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
250
Lens
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length
400,0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard
cataclysta, boreocypriensis, CeltickRanger, gerbilratz, wieyos, kmr13777, Adanac, fiyo, Jamesp, uleko, rkailas, Janice has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Janice: Hello Janice,vanderschelden 1 08-24 04:31
To gerbilratz: Thank you, Howard.vanderschelden 1 02-23 07:26
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Annick
Another great shot Elephant in very natural surrounding. Great exposure, colors everything Nothing to critique
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hi Annick,

Mooi compositie met bijpassende achtergrond met prachtige kleuren.
Goede scherptediepte, prima plaat.

groet Gert

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 0 N: 172] (2441)
  • [2008-02-23 5:01]

Hi Annick,
it's so wonderful to see so big and clever animal in your page. Wonderful photo with great detail and perfect focus. Very good DOF, nice color. I like it, TFS!

Hello Annick,

This is a lovely-splendid capture of large-earlaped, African elephant in a nice pose. Great focus and I liked the sharp details, big earlaps and small eyes friend!
TFS and regards,
Bayram

hello Annick

this is a great shot of the African elephant, good luminosity
on your image with excellent sharpness and details of the elephant,
i love the elephant centerd in the middle of the image,
we kno from where he is coming and where he is going,
excellent POV and DOF, TFS

Asbed

Hello Annick, magnificent beast in it's natural surroundings,the skin looks like you can touch it!! great POV and excellent capture..TFS

P/S superb information as well....thanks

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-02-23 7:58]

Hi Annick,
an intimate portrait of this Elephant.
I would love to see one in the wild, let alone photograph one as well as this!
The low-down POV and obstructing plants is fantastic and really makes the viewer feel as if they're actually there watching it.
Very nice and natural colours and superb lighting.
Impecabble clarity.
Just top-class Annick.
You definately made the most of that safari!
Congrats on a stunning capture my friend.
Cheers,
Joe

Hi Annick,

amazing sharpness & clarity on the jumbo. so detailed wrinkles on her body. excellent!

TFS
Regards
Agoes

Hi Annick,
Great shot of the Wild African elephant in it's natural habitat.

TFS,
Kirti

hi annick,
fine capture of the African Bush Elephant , liked the pov and the composition, lovely natural colours, precise dof,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

I am always impressed with your control of depth of focus. You got all of him in focus. The natural colors and perfect exposure make this one a winner.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-02-23 19:50]

Hello Annick,
This is an outstanding image of this great species in its' natural surroundings. Your marvelous camera work allows us to view it in great detail, thank you my friend.
Rick

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1053 W: 5 N: 3475] (15161)
  • [2008-02-23 23:29]

Hello Annick,
beautiful picture with very good POV and composition. Lovely light and natural colours.TFS

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-02-23 23:51]

Hi Annick

Great POV with excellent detail and exposure.

James

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3423 W: 173 N: 3309] (10940)
  • [2008-02-25 11:02]

Hello Annick,
Superb shot of this Elephant in very pleasing light. Great focus, sharp details and beautiful natural colours.
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-01 18:26]

Hello Annick

What a beautiful shot.
This whole series is spectacular Annick.
Brilliant work.
Excellent focus and detail.
The exposure is wonderful.
Great job.
TFS

Rob

Hi Annick

This is a class picture. Firstly, the animal looks as majestic as elephants should. Secondly, perfect exposure and great details - I really like how you can make out the folds in the skin so clearly. Thirdly, I like your composition with so much natural habitat within it. Add to it the excellent side-on POV and natural colors.

Super and thanks
Ravi

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2008-08-23 15:39]
  • [+]

I've just been looking at your Travelogue again Annick.
What a trip - and what beautiful and exciting memories you must have each time you look at your photos.
Would you go again? Or are you planning somewhere different next time?
Thank you for showing us this continent and its creatures.
Janice

PS I love this photo of the elephant - what a beautiful creature she is.

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