He wants a drink, and he will get it, as he doesn't have enemies at this waterhole.
Elephants are special creatures. During my time at a research bunker in Namibia last year, I was fascinated by their various rumblings and communication techniques with the other elephants of the area. There is a recent publication on the National Geographic website where you can listen to some of these rumblings and noises, and see a diagram on how it works and what each sound and gesture signals. Check it out HERE.
Elephants are, however, under threat from daily poaching all over Africa. They are sometimes poached for meat, but mostly it's all about their ivory tusks. Nations around the world are trying to crack down on ivory smuggling rings and are burning their own confiscated ivory stockpiles, while banning local legal trade in ivory. Let's hope all these efforts will help, because an elephant is illegally killed in Africa every 15 minutes! On 4 October 2014 there will be a "Global march for Elephants and Rhinos" - and you can find more info HERE.
I hope you like this image!
Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 70mm
f8.0 | 1/400 SS | ISO-220
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| click on the photo to view at optimal sharpness and resolution against a dark background |
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
Morkel Erasmus
I listened to all of the recordings you shared of the sounds elephants make to communicate. It's very surreal listening to them as I sit in my dining room online. Thanks for sharing.
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