Rhino, Calf and Friend
Where to start with our recent trip to Africa? Why not day one. Due to flight schedules, we were forced to spend a night in Nairobi. Rather than catching up on sleep, the group decided to pay a visit to the nearby Nairobi National Park. I had never been to this park before, mainly because I try to get out of Nairobi as soon as possible — that and the fact it’s fenced in on the three sides adjacent to the city, with only the southern border allowing wildlife to move in and out. But it’s a great place to see one species that’s difficult to see elsewhere — the rhinoceros. Nairobi National Park has both black and white rhinos, and although a sighting isn’t guaranteed, they can be hard to miss. A flat area with low grass allowed me to test out the focusing system of my new Nikon Z8. I attached a tripod to the L Bracket of the camera and lowered it to the ground, using a remote trigger to fire the shutter. Subject detection caught the rhino’s eyes and allowed for a nice ground level perspective and lots of moody, late afternoon sky. A cattle egret even hopped on board the mother rhino as she walked along with her calf. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (at 35mm) ISO 2800, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.
I’m amazed at the size of the horn. It’s much longer than I would have expected. Great shot Sean.
Thanks Mom. The horn is one of the ways you tell the difference between the white and the black rhinos.
Always love reading and viewing your amazing adventures!
Thanks Tricia, appreciate it.
Stunning!!!!!
Well worth the delay, awesome picture captured.
Thanks Shardae.
What a beautiful image! The big expanse of the dramatic sky would normally diminish a subject beneath it, yet your rhino mom & calf look majestically well proportioned in this scene. I agree with your mom’s assessment of that horn & it was wonderful that the cattle egret chose that moment to freeload! This is one of your best shots, Sean. I hope you have an available wall on which
to hang this beauty! Thank you for bringing a slice of Nairobi’s world to us, Sean!
Thanks Sue. The light and sky (and rhinos) all came together nicely at the right time.
One of your best Sean – fantastic photo!
Thanks Michael. Really appreciate it.
That is a great shot and I mean great. No wonder you’re a creative chief. We are going to South Africa for 15 days in late October. Staying at Sabi Sands for five days. Great accomodations (my wife’s “camping” is staying at the Courtyard by Marriott. Getting serious about the photography opportunities. Can’t wait to see your shots from your trip. Congrats on the “Emmy.”
Thanks Bill. Sounds like a great trip. I’ve always heard great things about Sabi Sands — especially good for leopards.
That’s just stunning!
Thanks TG.
The cattle egret and the mother rhino aren’t friends. They used to date years ago. And now they work together. Which is really awkward and hard to define but they certainly aren’t friends.
Amazing, gorgeous photo! I am so appreciative to receive your emails, opening up the natural world to me! Thank you for what you do!
Really nice to hear. Thanks Anne.
This is just so perfect, are you sure you didn’t alter it in post. . . ? So glad you got your trip and can’t wait to see more!
Ha, thanks Angelina. Almost no post processing on this one, just a really good night.
This is so surreal and cool!!!
Thanks Dr. Nulton.
Sensational photo, Sean. Great light, composition, subject posing and an added egret bonus.
Thanks Rick. That cattle egret gave me a few chances as it hopped aboard a few times.
Absolutely amazing shot!!
Thanks Alan.
I know I’m late to the comment party, but , I agree with others, that this is spectacular! Gorgeous in every way. But the very best part is seeing a growing calf from a species in extreme danger from all fronts. Thanks for sending a bit of hope along with a beautiful photo.