A Helping Trunk 2

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 10, 2013304 views11 comments

Elephant mums are rather doting to their young except when weaning is needed.

This mum is seen pulling her rather fresh youngster out of the water in to which it had slid,
Crop necessitated by presence of JCB at waterhole where it was stuck whilst deepening the waterhole.
Masuma Waterhole, Hwange National Park,
Zimbabwe

EOS 1DX
500mm F4 MkII
ISO 800
F6.3
1/500
EC + 0.33

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on June 10, 2013 at 6:13 AM

This is so cute and heartwarming, and I think it provides an elicits connection between us and animals. A lot of the pure visual impact comes from the almost shocking scale difference between the baby and the mum.

The wrinkled texture in the adult's skin is also nicely represented; perhaps too much time in the water...

Thanks for sharing.

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 10, 2013 at 7:33 AM

Ken, I have to admit I saw this a while ago on your 500px portfolio and absolutely loved it.
what a wonderfully intimate shot. I am sure many people do not realise just how small elephants are when they are babies. This is oneof those photos where for me the technicals are irrelevant because the image is one I just love looking at. Not that there is anything to criticise.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 10, 2013 at 2:25 PM

A very fresh youngster that is indeed Ken! Nice behaviour and beautiful poses. Unfortunately the scenery leaves a lot to be desired...

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

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on June 10, 2013 at 3:17 PM

Such a tiny little baby elephant! I love the interaction between the mom and baby. Very nice!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 10, 2013 at 10:10 PM

This is really sweet Ken, I'm using the word sweet in the old fogey sense.

I don't mind the forlorn setting, might actually enhance the real story of the doting mother scrubbing up that diminutive little baby in the mud puddle.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 11, 2013 at 2:34 AM

Thanks everybody for your comments, they are much appreciated.
Whilst the background might not be the best, at least the waterhole was being improved

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 11, 2013 at 8:17 AM

Great interaction n beautiful frame!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on June 11, 2013 at 8:47 AM

Hello Ken

Touching Moment! :) Great to see the Perspective from Baby to Mom! Yes, not a pretty setting but Real Life with your Great Interaction capture!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 11, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Hey Ken,

Wow, the size differential here is just amazing - that infant looks just SO SMALL relative to Ma. The shot does feel tight on top, but based on your commentary it would sounds like you had no choice but to cut out what was above. You probably know this, but you could (if you so chose) add some more room up there by extending the canvas and then "filling" in with Content Aware Fill in Photoshop (assuming you have CS6). That can do an amazing job (but is somewhat dependent on surrounding content, and could require some additional patching up). But SO CUTE just as is...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 11, 2013 at 4:33 PM

A cute moment, Ken.
Not the prettiest waterhole but it doesn't look at all unnatural to me as presented.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 8, 2013 at 3:45 AM

Jagdeep, William, Brad and Morkel,

Thanks very much

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