Playing with his food

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 18, 2012132 views6 comments

This elephant bull was very cooperative and chose to entertain us in the best possible light (last light of day!). Here he's snapping a branch that was broken off the tree by his bigger counterpart.

Check out the bigger version to see the debris flying from the dry branch.

Taken in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe...on foot

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-2800
Exp +0.3
Handheld, crouched, full frame

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Joe James on September 18, 2012 at 9:37 PM

Great shot Morkel! All the better since it's on foot.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 19, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Hi Morkel, that light is gorgeous indeed! My only problem with it is that is trikes the tree and not the ellie's head. The result is that the tree really draws the eye away from where is should go first.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on September 20, 2012 at 4:29 AM

Very nice capture in beautiful light. I agree with Vincent though, that the light draws the attention on the tree, instead of the head, but apart from that a lovely shot.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on September 20, 2012 at 9:03 AM

Hey Morkel,

Interesting behavioural shot of an impressive beast. Looks like you've found a new favourite place to choose - the "on foot" nature of your shots appeals to me...

While I agree with Vincent's comment about where the light is striking, I also wonder that if this is the last light of the day, is the image perhaps a bit overexposed overall (seems real bright for last light of day). I could be out to lunch, but it might be worth experimenting with a global exposure decrease? Just a thought...

Cheers...thanks for sharing...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 21, 2012 at 7:39 PM

Great behavior display in awesome light.

Sweet Photo Morkel

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 21, 2012 at 10:57 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful comments, guys.

I wish the ellie had stood "better" for the light. It actually did later, but then it wasn't playing with the branch. You can't have it all every time, eh?

Brad - I took up your suggestion and toned down the entire exposure a bit. Then brought shadows back up. Here's a quick repost.

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