A Helping Trunk

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 2, 2012135 views9 comments

This young Elephant was rather "fresh" and needed constant steadying by Mum.The whole herd was very protective but I am quite sure they would have preferred to get to the waterhole a little quicker!
Taken in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa,18th April 2012

EOS 1D MkIV

500mm F4 hand-held

F5.6, ISO 800, 1/640

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 2, 2012 at 8:04 PM

A charming, intimate moment. Looks like tough light, but you handled it pretty well.
The detail in the large version is excellent - a "must see"..
If possible, darkening the light grass would improve this nice image, imo.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 3, 2012 at 1:40 AM

Seriously? Only one comment on this delightful image?
Come on, you guys, step up to the plate!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 3, 2012 at 1:59 AM

Sandy,

Thanks for your comment I did darken the BG a little but probably not enough.

Thanks also for your words of "encouragement"

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on October 3, 2012 at 2:33 AM

The way they care for each other is beautiful to watch - very nice and crisp shot, lovely expression on the baby's face - I would personally crop a bit at the top (taking off the dark green patch at the top left and therefore also one of the tusks).
Grt, Ingrid.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on October 3, 2012 at 1:49 PM

What a lovely moment captured here Ken, that lifted (literally) foot is precious! A bit of a pity the ellie is in the shade, but that was beyond your control. I like Ingrid's crop suggestion.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 4, 2012 at 6:47 AM

Thanks Ingrid and Vincent

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 5, 2012 at 9:44 AM

Nice composition and the look on the youngsters face appears to be not terribly amused. I like the slight inclusion of the tusks and legs of the adult to show scale

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 5, 2012 at 7:55 PM

I like the emotional tenderness of this capture. Exposure looks fine. I don't know how it would look, but experimenting with selectively lowering exposure on the grasses and upping it a little on the baby might be worth testing.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on October 9, 2012 at 4:03 PM

Awesome shot Ken!
Love the lifted leg! Great touch! I agree with some of the others that selectively darkening the grass and lightening the calf might help the image pop, but it is great as is!

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments