Elephant Crossing

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 29, 2011175 views9 comments

We've just returned from a lovely 8-day trip to the Kruger National Park. I've got many images to work through and a few I know I will have to post here...so I'll start it off 'quietly'

We were crossing a low-water bridge over the Olifants ("Elephant's") River and noticed a few elephants crossing the stream (which was quite formidable considering it was towards the end of the dry season) to get to an island in the middle in order to feed on some reeds.

I captured a few frames and liked this one the most, as the elephant was more submerged in the others. The late afternoon light helped too.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/1600 SS @ ISO-720

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 29, 2011 at 9:43 PM

I really like the setting here Morkel and the techs are spot on (as usual). The only weird thing for me, is the scale. For some reason, the Elephant looks tiny in this...almost like it was a Pigmy or something. I think it feels that way because of the height of the weeds and the appearance of size of the BG trees looking much larger than the elephant. I am not used to seeing weeds that high on a river bank. It makes me wonder if a closer crop would change that feeling for me or not?

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on August 30, 2011 at 3:24 AM

Just about perfect. Wouldn't change a thing. I get the feeling you have something special for us from the trip

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on August 30, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Lovely scene here Morkel - it all looks good to me.. my mind is somehow willing the elephant back a little to the left - clearly the setting doesn't quite allow it though. Nice one and looking forward to seeing a few more from your trip

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 30, 2011 at 9:41 PM

A lovely scene captured nicely Morkel, I think I would have preferred the animal farther left in the frame but as James said the setting doesn't really allow it.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 31, 2011 at 4:56 AM

Thanks for your thoughts guys. I know "ideally" the ellie should have been on the "other ROT line", but yeah I wasn't there for that shot, when I crossed the bridge this one was halfway through.

Regarding those weeds/reeds - they get really tall and can almost cover a smallish elephant like this. The OOF ones in front on the RHS were closer to me though, increasing their apparent size in relation to the elephant.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on August 31, 2011 at 9:04 AM

Hi Morkel,

A very pleasing scene. I've read the previous comments and while "classically" the elephant could/should be positioned more to the left, I'm personally fine with how you've set the elements in this image up. The thing that appeals most to me is your effective use of DOF - I like how the slightly softer background helps make the elephant "pop out" in the scene.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 31, 2011 at 5:21 PM

Though I know it is thought that subject should have more room in the direction it is moving, I am glad you posted this as you did because it gives a habitat view I don't recall having seen before for an elephant.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 31, 2011 at 6:35 PM

A beautiful elephant and habitat scene Morkel. I like it as is, sweet photo!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 3, 2011 at 5:50 PM

Thanks for your thoughts Ken, Brad and Charlie

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments