Gathering at the waterhole

Photo Information

(18714)

Genre: Animals

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 2008-04-06

Categories: Mammals, Savannah

Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Digital ISO 100

Exposure: f/4.5, 1/500 seconds

More Photo Info: [view]

Photo Version: Original Version

Theme(s): Angelina's Favorites - Part I, CeltickRanger's favorite African animal photos, uMkhuze Game Reserve 1 [view contributor(s)]

Date Submitted: 2008-04-20 4:02

Viewed: 12220

Favorites: 4 [view]

Points: 178

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

The gathering at the Kwamalibala waterhole

The most wonderful thing about watching wildlife is the variety of animals and the various ways of watching them. Each one of us has a special species that we would like to see the most, and sometimes the more elusive they are the more our anticipation and excitement grows. As I mentioned in my previous posting, we've spent most of the 1st day sitting at the Kwamalibala hide and it turned out to be a highly successful day photographically. We did not only enjoy the animals, but also the amazing landscape and the splendour of the surrounding nature.

This posting is not a photograph of one of the scarcer or special species we would have wanted to see at the waterhole, but I have decided to post this image, as it does not only have such a peaceful feeling to it, it also displays the untouched habitat and the beautiful nature out there.

I also could have given you a description of the enormous giraffe that dwarfs the zebra's, but I am sure you will find plenty of that kind of information on Trek Nature. My chosen topic for my note is an important factor of life namely the necessity of water for animals.

WATER - A BARE NECESSITY

Water is the universal solvent in which all the processes of life take place. The skin of nearly all mammals are waterproofed by waxy and oily secretions produced by apocrine sweat glands, but mammals still have to take in water to balance what they use and lose. All terrestrial vertebrates lose water from their lungs by evaporation during breathing, and in the essential elimination of wastes as urine or faeces.

In Southern Africa there are very few habitats that provide an unlimited supply of water, and southern African mammals have a variety of adaptations that allow them to balance their water requirements against their water intakes.

While they are cropping the lush grass of spring and early summer, most grazers do not need to drink, or can go for 3-4 days between visits to water, but as the season progresses and the grass grows coarser, the importance of regular access to drinking water grows. The distribution of most mammal species is constrained by their need for drinking water.

Except during early summer when lush grazing is available, grazers such as zebras, impalas and blue wildebeest are restricted in their movements by their need to drink daily. Under natural conditions this excludes them from large areas that are utilised by other species that are less water dependent, but cannot compete effectively for food.

As long as they have green forage a surprisingly wide range of the larger herbivores such as giraffes, klipspringers, suni, oribi, eland, and nyala just to mention a few, are independent of water and can live without drinking as long as they have greenery to eat.

Lack of water and shortage of food are inexorably linked. If the rain fails, grass does not grow, and it simply means that animals first destroy the vegetation around water points, and then die from starvation instead of thirst.

When no surface water is available for drinking gemsbok, zebras, and black rhino dig for it in dry riverbeds, but the greatest well diggers are elephants. They have a remarkable ability to locate where the underlying water comes closest to the surface.

Other interesting information

- Giraffes are very vulnerable when they drink and always look around carefully and make sure they have a firm footing before bending. The brain is protected by a special system of blood vessels from the sudden changes in blood pressure that come when raising and lowering the head.
- Reedbuck is found only in wet habitats where they can drink 3-4 four times a day.
- Water comes in many guises besides its liquid form throughout the southern Kalahari. Wild melons provide the main source of water through the dry winter months.
- Carnivores and insectivores can go for long periods without drinking, but they will all drink if water is available.
- Kalahari cheetahs drink the blood and urine of their prey and eat wild melons. They can travel up to 80km between drinks of water.
- Yellow mongooses lick the early morning dew from plants, and also eat succulents.
- Although baboons typically have to drink every day, baboons in the Namib Desert regularly go without water up to 11 days at a stretch.
- Tree rats in the southern Kalahari obtain water by eating acacia gum, and to reduce their evaporation losses they increase the relative humidity in their nests by urinating over them.
- Jackals on the Namibian coast eat melons and lick settled fog.
- Samango monkeys lick rainwater from leaves and drinks from tree holes.
- Gemsbok and springbok are true desert antelope, which can survive indefinitely without drinking. They eat succulent underground stems and roots and wild melons, and conserve water by producing very dry faeces and concentrated urine.
- Steenbok can survive indefinitely without drinking by choosing the freshest herbage or digging for roots.
- Leopards can obtain a large portion of their water requirements from the body fluids of their prey, but they will drink if given the opportunity.
- Highly mobile antelope species such as blue wildebeest and red hartebeest are able to migrate very long distances when rain fails in one area and falls in another.

Taken from: Creatures of Habit - Understanding African animal behaviour - Richard du Toit and Peter Apps. Published by Struik Publishers.

I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.

aes_thor, bobair, Jamesp, haraprasan, eqshannon, vanderschelden, mariki, Alex99, jaycee, gracious, nglen, degani, boreocypriensis, Janice, CeltickRanger, rcrick, Proframe, Heaven, Tamrock, marhowie, Aaltjie, jusninasirun, spalaxtr, Rehanna, gannu, dB_grafix, goldyrs, matatur, oscarromulus, earthtraveler, Luis52, rousettus, JPlumb, Silvio2006, SelenE, lovenature, Maite, bobcat08, NinaM, Adanac, cirano, Dyker, japiey, Argus, maurydv, tuslaw, jmp, uleko, loot, iris, henrique, eng55, aido, ramthakur, pierrefonds, nirmalroberts, vinicio has marked this note useful
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Discussions
Thread	Thread Starter	Messages	Updated
Watrholes	winterpalace	1	12-17 02:06
To pierrefonds: Thanks	Miss_Piggy	1	06-06 23:37
To ramthakur: Hallo Ram	Miss_Piggy	1	06-02 05:43
To clnaef: Hallo Claude	Miss_Piggy	1	06-02 05:38
To aido: Thanks	Miss_Piggy	2	05-23 01:29
To loot: Critiques	Miss_Piggy	1	05-19 07:26
To tuslaw: Hallo Ron	Miss_Piggy	1	04-30 05:40
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Critiques [Translate]

aes_thor (2489)
[2008-04-20 4:11]

Hi Anna!
Thanks for sharing this amazing picture!
A lot of details, great light and colours. This shoot shows how big are Giraffes, great perspective. Great job!
cheers
Adrian

Amadeo (3323)
[2008-04-20 5:05]

Hola Anna, hermosa fotografia, con una bonita composici�n, muy bien iluminada. Da sensaci�n de libertad y tranquilidad, aunque los animales parecen prestar atenci�n... Un saludo

bobair (44)
[2008-04-20 5:09]

Hi Anna,
what a lovely looking composition you have in this photo.You have done well with the light in this shot as the time of day is not always the best for getting real nice looking exposures.A sharp photo that shows well just what the size difference is between the two species with a very good colour saturation.As nice as this photo is,it really is only the vehicle that your excellent note rides on and the problems with water supply exist here where I live as well at times.Thanks for sharing. Bob

Jamesp (18906)
[2008-04-20 5:34]

Hi Anna

Lovely shot - nice colour and detail. Demonstrates life at an African waterhole very well.(When I visited Etosha, I got a shot of 8 different animal species at one small waterhole)!

James

haraprasan (20403)
[2008-04-20 6:52]

Hi Anna,
A lovely capture of this beautiful giraffe (Gulliver) and the zebras (dwarfs). Excellent composition and fine details. A very good photo. Notes are excellent. Thanks a lot for sharing.

eqshannon (31141)
[2008-04-20 7:46]

I am thinking Anna, of how many times we as a people, live among such beauty for such a long time and we almost become blind to what is out our own front door. From my small knowledge of your area, I know that it is rich in animal and nature life in the wild, which I will more than likely not see in this life...and here...I have a forecast and prairie which more than likely you will not see in your lifetime. this is what makes TN such a special place..and lets me know that computers have done us a service...they are not just instruments to pay bills and get much false information....but places where we, you and I, can share beauty as you have done here.
Bob

FunkyMunky (3154)
[2008-04-20 8:09]

Hello Anna,
What a beautiful photo of a gathering of animals at a waterhole! It would make a wonderful painting or even jigsaw puzzle. The scene looks so peaceful and natural, makes me want to pack up and head for one of our beautiful parks! Well done!
Peter

vanderschelden (30441)
[2008-04-20 8:25]

Hello Anna,
Very educational image and photographer's note.
You can very well view the size of the Giraffe compared to the size of the Zebras.
Furthermore it is easily to understand why these browsers tolerate each other because the foodstuff for a giraffe (leaves,..) are definitely on a higher level than the Zebra's grasses.
An exception is the role of the water of course. You underscored the importance of the latter very well in your note.
Well done
TFS
Annick

mariki (9477)
[2008-04-20 8:44]

Hello Anna,

Very beautiful and well-composed picture. Excellent POV. Good DOF and sharpness. The size of the giraffe is impressive. Wonderful light and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Alex99 (23735)
[2008-04-20 9:18]

Hi Anna.
What a superb POV. Where did you stand? Amazing view, terrific DOF, sharpness and details. I like richness of colurs and impressive lights, brilliant exposure, contrast and clearness of the image. Bravo. Great job.
Alexei.

jaycee (25460)
[2008-04-20 9:41]

Hi Anna,

This looks like an illustration from a travel brochure - just wonderful. This is the only way people should see wild animals. It's amazing to see how small the zebras look standing with the giraffe. The scenery is nearly as marvelous as the animals.

Jane

lousat (65228)
[2008-04-20 11:20]

Hi Anna,another great work.The scene is beautifull,the coloura are very very perfects and warm,wonderfull sharpenss,i can't comment,the pic is so beautifull that talk alone,just my best compliments and thanks for the note too,have a nice week,Luciano

gracious (13068)
[2008-04-20 11:23]

Hello Anna,
Many thanks for sharing the wonderful kingdom of animal in their natural environment with us!
perfectly captured with the best pov with sharpness, good lighting and superb details on everything!
a very pleasing image well presented and a good informative notes from them!
greeting to you and Loot from NZ
Tony

nglen (36145)
[2008-04-20 11:35]

Hi Anna. May i firstly say what fine notes and of intrest, you have spent a lot of time over them. The one thing that is so plain to see is the size of the Griaffes they make the Zebra look so small. They all seem to be looking over to the right at somthing. You have capture this with good light and colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

degani (2607)
[2008-04-20 11:37]

Hi Anna,
your Country is full of wild life and you are great to catch it in a wonderful way, this picture is simply beautiful, brava
kind regards
franco

PeterZ (49139)
[2008-04-20 12:18]

Hello Anna,
This is the real Africa. The light is so beautiful. Next summer we are going for the 11th time to this continent.
When I see this photo all the memories are coming above. Splendid clear colours and DOF.
Regards,
Peter

boreocypriensis (9571)
[2008-04-20 12:34]

Hello Anna,
Stunning capture of these animals, giraffa and zebras. Lovely composition indeed.
All are perfect my friend!
TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

manyee (23770)
[2008-04-20 13:52]

Hello, Anna. : )
What an idyllic scene... straight "Out of Africa"!
You are right that these scenes deserve posting, as they are becoming scarcer and scarcer as we encroach daily on the wildlife's natural habitat.
The other amazing thing about this picture, as you have already pointed out, is the relative size of the two species. I had no idea the giraffe can be THAT much bigger and taller!!!
Very beautiful indeed. TFS. : )

Janice (18832)
[2008-04-20 15:31]

How exciting this trip must have been for you Anna. And doesn't a camera attached to your hand make a lot of difference? I think we learn to see more with the camera. I find I just want to "capture the moment".
It's a beautiful 'moment' here Anna - the 3 animals at the water hole - I just hope there wasn't a lion ready to pounce around the corner!!
And very interesting notes too - thank you.
Janice

CeltickRanger (37400)
[2008-04-20 17:31]

hello Anna

very very beautiful and lovely image and cohabitation
of 2 speecies of wild animals (et cohabitation
de 2 esp�ces d'animaux sauvages),

i know that Giraffes where very very tall, but not as much
on your photo, it is good things that the zebra's where
there to show us how much the Giraffes is TALL,
fine POV, framing and very fine DOF,
very lovely luminosity of the image, beautiful colours,
i love the softness of the colours, great sharpness
and details of the subjects, TFS

Asbed

rcrick (68)
[2008-04-20 19:04]

Hi Anna!

What a wonderful shot of this Gathering at the waterhole, the detail is just beautiful, excellent colours, superb d.o.f, well framed and composed, fantastic job, well done.

Cheers Rick :)

Heaven (7912)
[2008-04-20 23:39]

Good morning, Anna!

I would like to thank you for your warm words on my mountain picture. You are talking about nature's beauty and about respect. When I look at your pictures I can feel your admiration and respect for nature and creation. From my point of view, nature photography is an important contribution to the preservation of the natural inheritance. Pictures like yours are important and show us that it's more than valuable to take care of our environment.

Take care!

Kind regards

Markus

Tamrock (1928)
[2008-04-21 1:30]

hej anna!
very nice pic with great naturefeeling!
good work!

betsie (0)
[2008-04-21 2:04]

Baie mooi foto Anna. Hierdie kameelperd lyk kompleet of sy baie verantwoordelik voel vir hierdie twee zebras. Kan dalk so wees, want diere kan soms vreemde gedrag toon as dit by kleintjies kom.

PaulH (13882)
[2008-04-21 4:40]

Hi Anna,
what can i say, pure Africa...amazing scene that i wish was even bigger! This type of shot gives me itchy feet and makes me want to go travelling! I love it.
Paul

sandpiper2 (16757)
[2008-04-21 4:57]

Hi Anna

Well your right, its the inclussion of teh zebra that make this shot work. Ireally shows just how big they are. Good range of colours too.

Chris

marhowie (486)
[2008-04-21 5:03]

Hi Anna,
What I like most here is the overall scene. You've combined the beautiful African landscape with not one, but two species of critter.
Good detail/DOF and warm colors, well composed with ALL the animals looking rt..I like it :)
Well done & have a great week!
Howard

claudine (0)
[2008-04-21 6:00]

Hi Anna,
This is so beautiful to see this diversity of species in a single picture! Colors and contrast are very good. I like this South African lighting a lot. The light in your country is different from ours... You made a nice composition with superb natural background. This is a pleasant picture to look at with interesting notes. TFS,
Claudine

Aaltjie (0)
[2008-04-21 7:16]

Dear Anna
This beautiful photograph is how I see wildlife and what it is all about. Great capture with great details not only of the animals but also of the surrounding nature and environment. This picture looks like the ones they have displayed in the travelling agencies. The animals look very relaxed and not troubled at all. Very interesting but also very informative picture. I think you managed to capture a very special moment of interaction between these animals. Thank you for the interesting note. I especially enjoyed the part about �Other interesting information�. That is true wildlife out there and is good to know how some of these animals survive and find water or fluid.
Warmest regards
Aaltjie

joey (24909)
[2008-04-21 7:19]

Fine image of this lovely African scene :-)
This really shows how big Giraffes are as we can compare it to two horse-sized Zebras!
Very sharp with lots of detail.
Lovely warm colours.
Great composition.
Very well done Anna!

Joe

jusninasirun (14660)
[2008-04-21 7:22]

Hello Anna. You are so lucky to witness all these in natural habitat. Excellent shot in beautiful habitat with the zebras being dwarfed by the tall giraffe. Thanks for sharing this water hole and all the best to you. Regards. Jusni

spalaxtr (5868)
[2008-04-21 7:42]

Hi Anna,
A nice capture indeed with stunning sharpness and clarity. Composition great. Wonderfull image in natural habitat. DOF incredible. Thanks for sharing and well done. Best regards.
Mustafa

Rehanna (18)
[2008-04-21 13:21]

Hello Anna

My maggies mens, maar jy ontpop sommer hier as 'n natuur fotograaf van w�reld faam. Anthony Bannister sal moet lig loop as ek die dinge so bekyk. Hierdie is 'n puik toneel en ek ken dit tog so goed. Ek en manlief het self al hier vir 'n geruime tyd gesit en die natuurskoon en die pragtige diere bewonder. Die foto is mooi skerp en het pragtige lig. 'n Tipiese Suid Afrikaans sonskyn dag met daardie helder deurdringende en skerp lig wat alles so 'n vrolike geel skynsel gee. Goed gedoen mens en ek kyk uit vir nog meer sulke pragtige bydraes.

Groete
Rehanna

Proframe (4096)
[2008-04-21 13:46]

Hello Anna,

What a great shot in which the Zebras look like dwarfs compared to the huge Giraffe.
Wonderful contrast, colors and details.
Very beautiful composition and perfect note.
Excellent work. A real joy to look at. TFS!!!

Kindest regards, Harry

angybone (7684)
[2008-04-21 18:22]

This is a classic!! Great collection of wildlife...and wow, the giraffe is TALL!!!! Amazing! Your colors are warm and rich and real. Wonderful!

dB_grafix (3019)
[2008-04-21 19:36]

Hi Anna
This looks like a scene from a storybook for me, because I have never seen these animals outside a zoo.
Witnessing them in the natural elements must be a thrill.
The colours you captured, and the set up of composition is terrific.
I know I would have used a few memory cards on this site.
I imagine you did.
I never realized just how big a giraffe is.
Thanks for sharing this.
Doug

goldyrs (11497)
[2008-04-22 4:45]

Anna,
This shot has great depth.I love the scales that seem to be so different for both these animal species.And then there's your fantastic overall composition...
Very well done!
Goldy

oscarromulus (42)
[2008-04-22 7:39]

Anna,
What a HUGE quadraped to "fit" into a frame.
Wonderful image; looks like "THE GARDEN OF EDEN".
SOOOOOOO much detail.
Congratulations.
How is Loot?
Mario from -9*C with WARM regards to you both.

Luis52 (15809)
[2008-04-22 13:34]

Hi Anna.
Great image. Beautiful colors on giraffes and zebras. Now I can see the diference. I really like Your interesting note.
Saludos
Luis52.

rousettus (19818)
[2008-04-22 16:02]

Hello Annaa perfect scene from African nature. It is really very beautiful. but your capture also wonderful. Nicely composed and presented.My last post for you. I hope you will like it.best wishesAhmet

pablominto (14563)
[2008-04-22 23:26]

Hello Anna,
This is a lovely scene, only in Africa!
The typical landscape form a fine setting for the great animals, not only one but two beautiful species...
Both species are unique for the continent, and captured with great details. Interesting to see them together as it makes the zebras look small and the giraffe even larger!
I notice the fine light and the lovely composition...
Greetings,
Pablo -

gannu (14759)
[2008-04-22 23:38]

Anna,
Your note is as long as the neck of this little tall fella. Excellent colors and lovely lighting. You have done is remarkably good. Well done friend Ganesh smiley tmrw

JPlumb (2904)
[2008-04-23 2:40]

Hi Anna, this is so cool. It's not something I get to see, other than at a zoo, and that is just not the same. This is well composed and gives us a real indication of the size of that Giraffe. Very informative note.

Thanks, John

matatur (5312)
[2008-04-23 3:10]

A quiet, pastoral scene captured perfectly from a good vantage point Anna, the zebrae and the giraffe highlight this fine naturescape but that strange up-ended tree behind the giraffe complicates the serenity of the scene a little. TFS and cheers,
Mehmet

azleader (931)
[2008-04-23 3:47]

Classic giraffe profile. Great natural scene composed very well. Superb photograph.

earthtraveler (3483)
[2008-04-23 8:00]

Trully a fantastic image Anna! A wonderful African landscape but with the giraffe and zebras together make it a stellar image. Love the composition, sharp details of the well lit animals, size comparison of the two species, and the color pallette. Very informative interesting note also! Well done! Tfs Richard ... see you later.

Mana (18598)
[2008-04-23 10:46]

Hi Anna,
Excellent wildlife shot and you portray the surrounding so well. The Giraffe and the Zebras present nice scale and are enjoying each other's company it seems. Very neat and sharp image with lovely colours and clear details. The bright sunlight gives perfect illumination and you have captured them in nice poses near the water pond. Great POV and a marvellous composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Silvio2006 (101974)
[2008-04-23 11:19]

Hi Anna, splendid composition from Africa, lovely trio at river, superb colors and fantastic landscape, very well done, ciao Silvio

SelenE (13972)
[2008-04-24 0:06]

Hi Anna,
This is beautiful! Very cleverly composed lovely capture. The proportions look incredible. Your POV and choice of composition shows clearly the size differences between the giraffe and the zebras, also the trees add dimension to the photo.
Very well done and TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

izler (44)
[2008-04-24 2:03]

hello Anna
its successful capture and looks like a typical Africa safari photo
i like composition, POV, colours and sharpness
TFS
regards
izler

lovenature (6391)
[2008-04-24 7:13]

Hi Anna
When I think of Africa your image captures it perferctly. The Zebra and Giraffe may not be rare but this is what Africa means to me. I love that the Zebras are right beside the Giraffe, I get a feel for how tall they are compared to the Zebras. The composition is wonderful including the vegetation and distant hills. There are so many nice textures, lines and the colours are warm yet rich. I love it!
TFS Janice

arfer (0)
[2008-04-24 7:28]

Hello Anna

This is a postcard image!
A shot that stirs the imagination.
Lovely lighting with beautiful rich colours.
The POV is very good.
Well composed in the frame.
Well captured in a wonderful natural setting.
TFS

Rob

SkyF (8073)
[2008-04-24 7:37]

Hi Anna,
great shot, love the scenery and the animals you captured.
A great POV to observe those animals at the watering hole. The composition really shows of the size of the Giraffe with those Zebras in the foreground. Excellent sharpness and great colors as well.
Very nice work.
Sky

Maite (5199)
[2008-04-24 9:51]

Hello Anna
This is a stunning picture, no doubt, and I am really grateful you posted it! The presence of the zebras gives a perfect idea of the huge size of that marvellous jiraffe of outstanding colors. I love the way you captured the scene with so excellent parameters. It intrigues me if that thing behind the neck of the jiraffe is a tree turned upside down.
Thank you very much for sharing this beauty and the valuable note about the importance of water.
My compliments and best regards
Maite

bobcat08 (1431)
[2008-04-24 11:55]

Hello Anna,

I thought that zebras not such small animals were. But oh oh what a mistake when I see this shoot. It shows how big are Giraffes, great perspective. A beautiful landscape photo with one of the big 5 in there own enviroment. Natural colors. Great compo. Very interesting notes about water. Thanks for sharing. have a nice day and TFS BOB

Patleboss (5950)
[2008-04-24 13:18]

Hello Anna,
I love this shot, because the giraffe is surely the most impressive animal witch I saw
great quality shot of course
cheer,
friendly,
Pat

MartinL (0)
[2008-04-25 6:19]

Anna,

This is one of the best shots from South Africa I've seen in a while. The colors and scenery are just like out of a nature magazine! This is truly excellent.
What I also like about this picture is the fact that you showed us both a giraffe and zebras side by side. This way, they serve as reference points and someone (like me) who has not seen a giraffe before can appreciate its height. This is a stunning image. TFS

Best Regards,

Martin

cako (3395)
[2008-04-25 10:24]

Hi Anna
very intersting composition
well done.

Adanac (21378)
[2008-04-25 19:47]

Hello Anna,
Simply one of my favorite images on TrekNature, to me this is what I would love to see one day. What a magnificent composition Anna, simply brilliant.
Rick

NinaM (4077)
[2008-04-26 5:00]

Dear Miss Piggy, this is beautiful and breathtaking! I love giraffes and how lucky you are to see this in real! Your privilege becomes mine when I look at such a fantastic picture. You say it all in your note, the peaceful atmosphere, almost the "ordinary" for these beautiful animals. The light is fantastic, I feel the warmth of the rays of the sun. When I was young I wanted to become Daktari and be in Africa. Well, here I am thanks to you!

Francine

pts tomorrow

pankajbajpai (16627)
[2008-04-26 7:30]

hi anna,
you have got a lovely colection of pictures at TN, Loot has been my favorite since long time and now you are also becoming one. very nice capture, liked the lighting and the colors,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

cirano (13609)
[2008-04-27 6:56]

Hi Anna,
i enjoyed with your critique for my picture so that i had chance to see your pictures.All of them are so beautifull.TFS
D�rzan.

saguzar (7202)
[2008-04-28 4:57]

Hi Anna,
Another magnificent african landscape, with big mammals on it. I like the comparison between tall giraffe and cebras. Colours are nice and light as well. Is curious the inverted branch behind giraffe. You�re lucky to live in that place.
TFS
Hern�n

Dyker (170)
[2008-04-28 7:04]

Hello Anna
It is amazing how you manage to grab a piece of the Zululand sunshine and lock it up into this photo. The lighting is wonderful and so are the colours. A typical scene seen in the Mkuze game park and a lovely advertisement for the park. It is quite an eye opener to see that the zebra would be able to walk through underneath the giraffe without touching anything. It's an enormous animal. You have really done well with the composition and also the inclusion of two different species, but just 3 animals. They say odd numbers always works better. All in all a very pleasing photo.
Greetings
AC

Nilson (4419)
[2008-04-28 7:54]

Ola Anna, � um verdadeiro espetaculo os animais junto da para ver a propor��o deles uma exelente foto muito bem trabalhada com cores atraentes,deve ser muito emocionante fotografar de perto estes animais, � encantador parab�ns pelo belo trabalho.
Nilson

japiey (405)
[2008-04-28 11:58]

Hi Anna,

A lovely share ..
Fine details, and tones.

EXCELLENT.

jp

Argus (50624)
[2008-04-28 12:52]

Hello Anna,
A beautiful African waterhole scene, the Giraffe and the two Zebras well placed in this composition with the bush savannah habitat BG giving a fine perspective. The giraffe really towers over the zebras, a good reminder of the size of these animals.
Great to view and thanks for sharing this fine image,
Best regards, Ivan

maurydv (36428)
[2008-04-29 9:57]

Stupenda immagine, perfetto POV che consente una visione prospettica ideale, eccellente scelta compositiva che ci mostra gli animali nel loro ambiente in modo cos� "naturale", buona nitidezza e splendidi i colori e la luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

chiliu (6526)
[2008-04-29 16:51]

Hi Anna,
Wonderful image! Great composition, nice natural colours, and excellent notes.
Chi

tuslaw (19883)
[2008-04-29 20:18]
[+]

Anna,
What an incredible shot you have. The sharpness and detail are magnificent. The colours are gorgeous! This is my wife's (Rosie) favorite animal, the Giraffe. Thank you for sharing with us.
Ron

jignasi (27917)
[2008-04-30 0:00]

Excelente trabajo con el espacio Anna. La riqueza de colores es impresionante. El conjunto
recrea perfectamente el h�bitat de estos animales y la grandeza a�n de la naturaleza en algunas zonas. Un excelente trabajo lleno de realismo.
Un abrazo: J. Ignasi

jmp (8415)
[2008-04-30 14:45]

Hi Anna,
This is undoubtedly and wonderful, beautiful view and certainly I enjoy it a lot. Seeing these animals in the wild is something that makes one happy. Composition, colours, light, landscape and the animals you captured... very nice all of them.
TFS, Jos� M.

uleko (10940)
[2008-05-01 10:14]

Hello Anna,
What a beautiful view of this fantastic landscape showing the huge Giraffe and the little Zebras by the waterhole. It must be wonderful to sit in that hide and watch the wildlife come and go! This is a lovely composition in beautiful colours and showing interesting details too. Very nice!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

wuta (2142)
[2008-05-02 11:41]

Hello Anna , A Great postcard , The small and the big , good compositie colours sharpnes light ,very beautifull I like it ,Greetings Teunie .

lorendubois (9343)
[2008-05-07 13:56]

Bonsoir Anna
Les girafes m'ont toujours intrigu�, d�s ma tendre enfance.
Leur pelage en mosa�que g�om�trique...
Leur allure..
Bref, je les aime bien, alors merci pour ce beau clich�
Laurent

iris (3088)
[2008-05-09 5:57]

Dear Anna,
This beautiful capture of the life by the waterhole creates a great mood.Water- one element on this earth that life thrives on and what better way than to capture the essence of this theme, with two forms of life one towering and tall and the other shorter and no less significant than the first.

A great scene of harmony presented with superb lighting, good dof and contrasts.Your notes provide a great accompaniment to your compositions and they are delightfully informative.
Very well done.

henrique (483)
[2008-05-10 4:30]

Oi Anna.

A cada novo post voc� nos surpreende com lindas imagens!
Muito me agrada a composi��o do assunto.
Penso que voc� fotografou um momento em que algo chamou a aten��o dos tr�s animais do local, pois parecem olhar para o mesmo local !
Muito bom, cores e nitidez excelentes.
Parab�ns.

Henrique

vmukherjee (1472)
[2008-05-12 2:14]

Excellent shot! The colour, sharpness and composition makes make this is a captivating picture. The way the zebras are dwarfed by the giraffe!!! Looks amazing. Also good choice of background.

And finally many thanks for your kind comments :)

eng55 (5892)
[2008-05-15 6:29]

What a scane Anna,
You caught it very well.POV,colors,details,large DOF and visual impact are excellent.
Thanks for posting this beauty.

aido (4046)
[2008-05-16 14:01]
[+]

Hello Anna,
A belated welcome to TrekNature. As I thought you have a very interesting portfolio here. This is superb, excellent detail and I can't believe how big that Giraffe is! Good vivid colors, huge depth of field and a very good exposure. You're certainly getting the most out of that compact. Many images from Africa can look washed out because of the varying shades of brush, but you really have nailed the colors here. One thing that is a little odd, the far hills are lighter behind the trees on either side, the center is much darker. A minor point.
Kind regards,
Adrian

loot (11276)
[2008-05-18 15:36]
[3] [+]

Hi Anna

As everybody else already told you how great this shot is, I suppose there's not much left for me to say. Maybe I should just express my concern and disappointment about how naughty it was of you not to tell the elephants that they were not supposed to uproot any trees near the waterhole. Actually they shouldn't uproot any trees at all, because it doesn't paint a good picture for possible tourist as it "complicates the serenity of the scene". It is also very disturbing to see the wasting of natural life (remember a tree is also a living organism) or the unsightly litter (don't scatter what you do not use) lying about. So next time, before you capture any photos in nature, make sure you remove all dead trees and unwanted objects or material left there by any animals or natural process (chuckle).

Actually, in future when we visit the game parks, I would appreciate it if you take a little battery powered chain saw with so you can trim away all the unwanted branches that always annoys the smoke out of me when I try to take a photo. If you do it then I don't have to challenge the lions or mambas and I can pretend to watch through the camera to advise you which branches to cut. You see, the lions won't snatch you as easy as they would me, because I'm really a piece of prime meat.

Anyway, well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

ramthakur (56953)
[2008-05-30 3:35]
[+]

It is a sheer delight to go back to your pictures I somehow missed in the past, Anna.
Though my saying so does not in any way underestimate your talents and expertise as a nature photographer, I must say that you have been fortunate to be living in a country which God has endowed with plenty by way of real and spectacular wild life.
The tall giraffe in this well captured image provides the scale to realise where the zebras stand in size in relation to this giant of an animal. The three animals exude a kind of synergy while they relax at the drinking hole.
The setting is typical Africa I see on NG and AP TV channels frequently.
It is a beautiful image that fills one with the longing to be actually there and see those animals with one's own eyes.
Thanks and warm regards.
Ram

clnaef (6814)
[2008-05-30 6:45]
[+]

Bonjour,
Etonnant de voir comme ces animaux cohabitent. La comparaison des tailles est �tonnante.
Bonne journ�e.
clnaef

pierrefonds (12858)
[2008-06-05 6:20]
[+]

Hi Anna,

Your note is giving a lot of information. A good capture of a daily scene, meeting at the water hole. The point of view leads our eyes toward the mountain in the background. The presence of the zebras and of the girafe has a scale effect. The subject is well framed. The photo is clear and sharp. Have a nice day.

Pierre

nirmalroberts (2857)
[2008-06-07 11:57]

Hi Anna,
Picture is good.
But, the note is excellent !
"Water water everywhere. Not a drop to drink."
We have already started feeling the scarcity of water.
Regards,
- Nirmal

vinicio (162)
[2009-05-21 22:51]

Wild life at the top in this image, lucky you that live in this country, Anne, you capture a very good image, compliments.
Have a nice WE
Ciao
Vinicio

winterpalace (0)
[2010-12-17 2:08]

Hi Anna,
You and Loot appear to spend a great deal of time at waterholes :-)

I am trawling TN for images for my theme, and you two keep popping up :-)

TFS

Verite

Hotelcalifornia (14276)
[2014-02-01 11:07]

Hello Anna,
Excellent atmosphere.Nice light and details.Like it very much.Well captured.
Thanks for such nice picture,
Regards and have a nice time,
Srikumar

drweizy (32)
[2014-08-09 8:46]

very good contrast, for the animals. regards

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