Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
PLaying in the mud
‹ PreviousWildlife GalleryNext ›

PLaying in the mud

by Luca Mussato

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 28, 201059 views4 comments
These two fellows were part of a huge herd of about 60/70 elements that came across the path through a wide marsh while we were searching for a leopard saw in that area of the Moremi Reserve and we were forced to stop for at least 20 minutes.

All of them stop to take a mud bath in the same "pond" and you can guess what a hole they made.

Nikon D2Xs
Nikkor 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 @f/8
1/350 -033 ev iso200
lightsd and contrast changed in CS3

C&C appreciated

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 28, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I like all the flying mud in this picture. It looks like it could use a little lightening up on my monitor and the bush and branches on the right side distracts a little bit.
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 28, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Well, I would prefer that kind of road block over any vehicle traffic jam :biggrin: The spraying mud is what makes this interesting IMO and in that respect the right elephant does not add much yet it is filling a large part of the frame. If at all possible (I realize your movement was most likely very restricted) I think focusing on the left individual only could have resulted in an image with more impact.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on March 1, 2010 at 4:45 AM
Good job capturing the flying mud. The picture is a bit dark.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 1, 2010 at 8:54 AM
HI Luca,

I'm in agreement that the flying mud adds a lot of interest to this image - and I also like the raised foot on the elephant on the left (like it's just about to splash up more mud/water). On the technical side I would agree with the previous comment that overall the image seems a little on the dark side - it if were mine I'd experiment with lightening it up somewhere around 1/2 stop.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments