From the Bush

Oh god, looks like about 16 feet high, carrying a tree and I don't see even a hint of a smile....I would be thinking about my disability and life insurance. Good composition Billy, I like him centered. The side lighting is very good.

Impressive looking animal, very imposing. I really like the light in this and the central placement looks good and adds to the feel of size as he fills up a good part of the frame. Is the darker reads on the leg and back remnants of a clay/dust bath?

Beautiful side light and a dynamic pose. Very well done. At 140mm this guy must have been fairly close and looked much bigger in person. The eye contact is great.

Impressive bull and nice shot. You must have been pretty close if shot at 140mm. My only very small criticism is the tree branch partially blocking his ear. I assume this was shot from a vehicle.

Thanks guys! Robert, I was on foot, he didn't seem bothered by me at all tho! I agree about the branch - I wasn't going to hang around in his path much longer

Lovely late-afternoon light you had here Billy. I actually like it that you had perfect side lighting, dividing the head in two halves; that sort of sketches the charater of these giants, meaning they can be so unpredictable: either sweet like a baby or raving mad. Luckily for you this one was in a relaxed state of mind.

Billy,

Very interesting that you were on foot. The reason I asked is because about a month ago I read a story on the internet about some American CEO/businessman who was on safari staying, I guess, at one of those tourist hotels in the bush. He had been going out to see the animals in a vehicle but one evening he decided to take a little stroll near the hotel instead of going in the vehicle. An armed guide went with him on the stroll. They came upon a group of elephants consisting of females and young. The elephants were about 200 yards away which seems like a pretty safe distance to me based on my experiences with north american wildlife. Almost immediately one of the adult females became agitated and charged them. The elephant got closer and closer but the guide apparently panicked or froze up and didn't fire. The elephant swept past the guide and hit the businessman and thrashed the crap out of him almost completely severing one of his legs and doing lots of other serious damage. The guy nearly died but he survived and it took him months to recover. Because of that story I just assumed people always photographed the game, especially elephants and lions, from the safety of a vehicle. Knowing that you were on foot and so close impresses me greatly.

Great image. It is scary even looking at the photo. I don't see how you could be composed enough to capture this at 140 mm. Impressive.

Thanks again guys! Robert - these big bulls are usually very gentle - this guy was probably well over 60 years old and had seen it all before. They'll always let you know well in advance if they're getting angry. Mothers and calves are a different story, and I would never try this with them. Younger bulls are also a big no no as they are pumped full of testosterone and feel like they have something to prove

Great exposure control & detail Billy. Think the square framing is perfect for this..
Dramatic head on POV, looks very intimidating
Well done

Must be looking like a towering figure. Side lighting works here very well, bringing out the textures in the trunk and open ears make him appear bigger.
Jagdeep Rajput

Sounds like a very interesting experience. I really like the directional light and the good overall detail, great job in getting this when walking, well done.

Terrific perspective, Billy, in wonderful side lighting. I, too, noticed the branch, but this is superb as posted!

Great shot and on foot to boot. The angle and the light are outstanding.

Wow. You must've felt pretty small there. Terrific image and the light is killer.