I photographed this one from the back porch of my tent in the Maasai Mara. The camp (Tangulia Mara) is set in a beautiful location up on a hill overlooking a natural salt lick. It really does have a Garden of Eden feel to it. Throughout the day, every kind of animal imaginable stops by to eat and get nutrients from the salt. At one point I counted fourteen giraffes. There were also elephants, baboons, waterbucks, buffalos, hippos, impala, zebras and more. This is a very awkward (and vulnerable) position for a giraffe. In fact, giraffes only drink water once every few days and spend the vast majority of their time standing up, including when they sleep and give birth. That said, they are very cautious about the whole process of splaying out their legs and getting low. These two giraffes seemed to be taking turns. One would go to the ground while the other stood guard. For a brief moment, however, they both got down for a mouthful of salt. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/640th of a second.
Glad you explained the crouching. I had thought I had heard that they did everything standing up. This position looks painful for them, as well as vulnerable.
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As if hearing the final notes from the orchestra, a grateful bow to the audience…
Glad you explained the crouching. I had thought I had heard that they did everything standing up. This position looks painful for them, as well as vulnerable.
Great shot Seanie, and as always, I love the back story. They are gorgeous animals!
Wow, indeed. To have captured two beautiful giraffes “taking a bow” at a watering hole is stellar. Great shots from Africa, Sean. Welcome home!
Thanks Sue. And from the “back porch” of my tent. This was truly a great location and a spot I’ll be back to again in the future.