View allAll Photos Tagged GENTLEGIANT
A young elephant joyfully walks among its protective herd in the wilds of Namibia. This touching moment captures the strong familial bonds and natural beauty of African elephants in their habitat.
World Elephant Day has been celebrated every August 12th since 2012, when Patricia Sims and the Thailand-based nonprofit Elephant Reintroduction Foundation partnered to found the holiday. Over the past eight years, World Elephant Day has partnered with more than 100 elephant conservation organizations from around the world, and helped to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve elephants.
Elephants are an endangered species, and the majestic animal’s population has shrunk significantly over the past few decades. For example, in Africa, there are only about 415,000 elephants remaining; in 1989, there were 600,000, and in 1979, there were 1.3 million, according to data sent to Green Matters by Space For Giants. Many factors have contributed to elephant populations decreasing, but one of the most significant is poaching. Poachers in Africa have illegally killed an estimated 110,000 elephants over the past decade - about one quarter of what Africa’s elephant population was 10 years ago.
Only Elephants should wear Ivory!
This beautiful scene of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in the early morning light was captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
Gentle Giants... We are so lucky in the Chobe, the elephant are really relaxed, and will wander right up to your vehicle, passing by within inches of you...
World Elephant Day has been celebrated every Aug. 12 since 2012, when Patricia Sims and the Thailand-based nonprofit Elephant Reintroduction Foundation partnered to found the holiday. Over the past eight years, World Elephant Day has partnered with more than 100 elephant conservation organizations from around the world, and helped to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve elephants.
Elephants are an endangered species, and the majestic animal’s population has shrunk significantly over the past few decades. For example, in Africa, there are only about 415,000 elephants remaining; in 1989, there were 600,000, and in 1979, there were 1.3 million, according to data sent to Green Matters by Space For Giants. Many factors have contributed to elephant populations decreasing, but one of the most significant is poaching. Poachers in Africa have illegally killed an estimated 110,000 elephants over the past decade - about one quarter of what Africa’s elephant population was 10 years ago.
This beautiful scene of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) grazing in the early morning light was photographed during a photography safari on a game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
During the 20th century, poaching has significantly reduced the population of Elephants all over. The World Wide Fund for Nature believes there were between 3 and 5 million African elephants as recently as the 1930s and 1940s. Between 1980 and 1990 the population of African elephants was more than halved, from 1.3 million to around 600,000. Between 1973 and 1989, the African elephant population of Kenya declined by 85%. In Chad, the population declined from 400,000 in 1970 to about 10,000 in 2006. The population in the Tanzanian Selous Game Reserve, once the largest of any reserve in the world, dropped from 109,000 in 1976 to 13,000 in 2013. 85,000 elephants were lost to poaching in Tanzania between 2009 and 2014 (Source: Wikipedia).
Only Elephants should wear Ivory!
This beautiful scene of Elephants grazing in the early morning light with Mt. Kilimanjaro as the backdrop was photographed on a game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
Elephants are highly dependant on water, not only for drinking but also for their skin and general hygiene.
Having walked up the hill to water hole this magnificent Bull Elephant first drank approximately 200 litres of water to quench his thirst in the blistering heat of noon. Then he took the liberty of having a shower to cool down and wash away all the dirt and insects. The elephant suck's water into it's trunk and pours it into it's mouth.
Captured on a Photography safari during a game drive in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya.
Location: Kedah, Malaysia
Toxicity: Non-venomous
Length: 1.7-1.8 m, extremely skinny snake.
Also known as Green-headed Cat Snake.
Behavior: Arboreal and semi-terrestrial, this specimen. This particular specimen was very docile, didn't attempt to bite.
Note: In recent years, many herpers and even herpetologists have claimed to have spotted the new form in southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Other herpetologists who have examined these sightings, nevertheless, suggested that these are White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapezii) aka greener phases. There is still no solid proof of the Bengkulu Cat Snake coming in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Mara river might be very stress inducing for most animals but not for the Hippos! As we were taking a break during our safari, we chanced upon a clearing that led to the river and eventually to this group of Hippos by the river bank! How many can you spot?
Time is running out for the African elephant, the largest remaining land mammal on the planet, as it faces the greatest crisis in decades. Increasing poaching levels as well as loss of habitat are threatening the survival of this iconic species. Conservationists estimate that about 472,000 to 690,000 African elephants likely inhabit the continent today, a staggering fall from possibly five million in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It is estimated that 30,000 to 38,000 elephants are poached annually for their ivory. The price of ivory has almost tripled over the last four years and the price surge has spurred a wave of elephant killings across Africa.
Unless we find a way to put an end to these gruesome killings, the African elephant is lumbering towards extinction.
This amazing Elephant family were photographed walking along on their daily routine late in the evening in the savannah plains of Maasai Mara Game. Reserve, Kenya.
The mamma Elephant is busy grazing in the savannah plains of the Mara whilst her young baby is safe under her gentle loving care.
Photographed in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, and they're one of the most unique-looking animals, too. With their characteristic long noses, or trunks; large, floppy ears; and wide, thick legs, there is no other animal with a similar physique.
A baby elephant is called a calf. It weighs about 250 pounds at birth and stands about three feet tall. Calves can't see very well at first, but they can recognize their mothers by touch, scent, and sound.
Baby elephants stay very close to their mothers for the first couple of months. The calves drink their mother's milk for about two years, sometimes longer. They drink up to 3 gallons of milk a day! At about four months old, they also begin eating some plants, like adult elephants, but they continue to need as much milk from their mother. They keep drinking milk for up to ten years!
This very cute looking baby Elephant, was captured on a photography safari during a game drive, following its mother in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The elephant is one of the most easily recognisable animals in the whole wide world. African elephants are true gentle giants. A gentle giant of nature, the elephant is a truly amazing creature, that without the help of conservationists and charities, could be completely wiped out within a matter of decades. The sad truth is that their habitats are being crushed to make way for infrastructure projects, and poachers are still taking aim to at these beautiful beasts to meet the demands of the illegal ivory trade.
A male elephant can grow up to 4 metres in height and weigh up to 7 tonnes; whilst their females counterparts can still weigh in at a mere 3.5 tonnes.
To feed an animal of such gigantic proportions takes a lot of food. Their daily food intake is almost as much as 4-7% of their body weight. When you are an elephant, that equates to finding and eating an awful lot of food. As you would expect, all that food needs to be digested and dozed off, which is why our elephant friends can deposit upwards of 150 kg of dung daily!
This beautiful Elephant (Loxodonta africana) herd was photographed busy feeding on an early morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve,
A heartwarming capture of a family of elephants in the Namibian wilderness. The protective matriarch leads her young through the dry landscape, their bond a testament to the deep social connections of these gentle giants.
A stunning close-up photograph capturing the intricate detail and soulful expression in the eye of an African elephant in Namibia. The image highlights the texture of the elephant's skin and the depth of its gaze, reflecting the beauty and wisdom of these majestic creatures.
Had a little chat with the big horse while lying in the snow.
I believe I was only about 6 feet away from him. A great experience!
I can never get tired of Elephant pictures! They have such an amazing body structure and sometimes I can't help but imagine what it would be like if they turned into mammoths one day! Watching them walk in front of the Oltukai lodge at Amboseli was a treat! We could see them from our rooms just across the fence into the park! It was my first close encounter with the wild and I was taken aback by how at peace everything felt! I'll never forget that feeling.
Explored April 3rd, 2015
Continuing the elephant textures series, here is a picture of an Elephant's eye and beautiful eyelashes. The wrinkles around the eyes give so much depth to their wonderful skin.
Elephants display complex social and emotional behavior, and are said to value their families more than most animals.
They babysit:
Female elephants (cows) help each look after each other’s calves. Babysitting other female’s calves is important for elephant development; young females learn how to look after the young, and the calves are shown how it’s done. The survival rate of a calf greatly increases when more females are present and willing takes care of it.
They bond:
Elephants are known to develop strong, intimate bonds between friends and family members. There have been reports of elephants forming lifelong friendships with each other, and they even mourn the death of their loved ones. Mother elephants have been seen grieving over stillborn calves, and some elephants have even been spotted returning to, and lingering near, spots where their friends and family members died.
Out in any National Park, if you want to enjoy watching a herd of Elephants (Loxodonta africana), out in the wild, strategically park your vehicle ahead of them. The whole herd will simply ignore you and just keep feeding as they walk by you giving an amazing photographic opportunity.
This extreme close-up of the Elephant walking past busy feeding is an uncropped photograph taken in the savannah plains of Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The Mongolarachne found on the surface of Tao-Cet are some of the largest arachnids discovered to date on an exoplanet. This relatively small specimen was slow enough for Ralph to observe in person and still escape unscathed. The species is quite docile and curious resulting in many documented encounters. Unfortunately, many spacemen are not too keen on these gentle giants and have attempted to use 500 kW HELSI combat lasers to burn them from space.
#interstellar_exoplanet_ekistics #mongolarachne #classicspace #lego #joecowlego #toy_photographers #arachniphobia #burnitwithfire #combatlaser #tarantula #gentlegiant
Another image taken on foot, tucked away behind a bush, watching elephants come down to drink and play at one of the dams at Laikipia Wilderness Camp. I was really fascinated how the dust on this one's back lifted in a cloud as it sunk into the water.
Olympus EM-1ii, 300mm F5.6, 1/1250 ISO 500
#Elephant #Elephants #Family #endangeredspecies #worthmorealive #rememberingelephants #elephantsofinstagram #connectionsandperceptions #gentlegiants
#LaikipiaWilderness
#Laikipia #Kenya #Africa #Safari
#wanderlustmagazine #travelphotography #naturephotography #africanimals #safariphotography #photosafaris #bbcearth #africanamazing #africasafariconservation #africanature #nature
#microfourthirds #microfournerds #omsystem
The Mogollon Rim is a mountainous ridge that runs 200 miles across Arizona. It’s the southern edge of the Colorado plateau. It is also home to sighting of Sasquatch, Big Foot, or what the locals call the Mogollon Monster. Reports claim it has a strong and pungent odor described as that of "dead fish, a skunk with bad body odor, decaying peat moss and the musk of a snapping turtle".
After a day at the watering hole, playing, drinking and being merry, these elephants decided to call it a day. I wonder where this mother and calf decided to head off to! I photographed them walking away from the watering hole. It was so quiet and peaceful in the savannah at this hour.
Another image taken on foot, tucked away behind a bush, watching elephants come down to drink and play at one of the dams at Laikipia Wilderness Camp.
Olympus EM-1ii, 300mm F5.6, 1/250 ISO 400
#Elephant #Elephants #Family #endangeredspecies #worthmorealive #rememberingelephants #elephantsofinstagram #connectionsandperceptions #gentlegiants
#LaikipiaWilderness
#Laikipia #Kenya #Africa #Safari
#wanderlustmagazine #travelphotography #naturephotography #africanimals #safariphotography #photosafaris #bbcearth #africanamazing #africasafariconservation #africanature
#microfourthirds #microfournerds #omsystem
www.flickr.com/photos/184806716@N02/54120401831/in/pool-i...
Tall as the trees that sway and bend,
A gentle giant, a graceful friend.
With legs like stilts and a towering stride,
You roam the plains, so bold and wide.
Your patterned coat, a golden quilt,
Soft-spotted beauty, perfectly built.
A neck that stretches toward the sky,
Reaching leaves that hang up high.
Eyes so warm, with lashes long,
In silent grace, where you belong.
Among the acacias, where sunlight weaves,
You nibble softly on tender leaves.
Your purple tongue, a curious sight,
Lifts to the sun with every bite.
A marvel of nature, a gentle soul,
The savanna’s watchtower, strong and whole.
Oh, noble giraffe, tall and free,
Keeper of secrets, a mystery.
With every step, a dance, a song—
In your land, where you belong.
After a short hiatus from Flickr, I thought about what should be my first picture and I guess the choice was pretty easy. Elephants are such adorable creatures and it is heartening to see them be their natural self and so playful when at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. And thus in honour of this wonderful organisation I decided to put up a favourite picture from my visit to the trust.
Explored June 7th, 2015
Galápagos Tortoise or Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)
Subspecies: Chatham Island Tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra chathamensis)
Max. weight 400 kg (880 lb), length 1.8 meters (5.9 ft) and life span 170 years.
Location: Cerro Colorado Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve - San Cristobal Island (or Chatham Island) - The Galápagos Islands - Ecuador
The tortoise preserve was built in 2002 this 12 hectare preserve is located in a dry forest and was constructed to preserve the San Cristobal subspecies of Galapagos Tortoise (Geochelone chathensis). The San Cristobal tortoises are seriously threatened by introduced animals (wild goats, rats and cats), which the park has been working to eradicate. The tortoise preserve and captive breeding program was developed to insure the continuation of the subspecies.
Source: www.galapagosonline.com
--- in Dutch ---
Om de San Cristobal Schildpad (Geochelone chathensis), ondersoort van de Galapagos schildpad, te behouden werd in 2002 een reservaat aangelegd in een 12 hectare tellende droog bos. De San Cristobal Schildpadden worden ernstig bedreigd door geïntroduceerd dieren zoals: wilde geiten, ratten en katten, op het eilanden worden maatregelen getroffen om deze uit te roeien. Het schildpad reservaat en kweekprogramma is opgezet om het voortbestaan van deze ondersoort te verzekeren.
Canon EOS 50D | Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
1/320 sec | f/4.0 | 70 mm | iso 400 | -1/3 ev
On Explore Front Page and interestingness highest position: # 11 on October 11, 2011.
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