07 January 2011

Close encounters of the elephant kind

Have you ever had a stand off with an elephant in the African bush, while on foot? This elephant was about fifty metres from me when I took this shot and was telling me in no uncertain terms to get lost.


Pictures can be so deceiving. On our way to the Karoo on Monday afternoon we stopped to photograph a small herd of elephants while driving past a private game reserve.  I was on foot and the reason I did not have to beat a hasty retreat was because of the fence. Though I doubt that this fence will stop a determined elephant.


His rantings were all bluster and bravado and he soon strolled off to feed with the rest of the herd. I have seen this behaviour before, where an elephant will pause in its wandering and have words with a warthog or jackal and then continue on its way.
at

9 comments:

  1. shabby girl8 January 2011 at 02:08

    WOW! What a perfect photograph! Really beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gigi Ann8 January 2011 at 05:26

    I love those photos, I wonder what he thought you were, a warthog or a jackal? ; )

    ReplyDelete
  3. Katney8 January 2011 at 23:56

    My close encounter with an elephant was a temple elephant in India. It was very tame. I got to video it as it "blessed" me. It had a runny nose. My group apparently did not come up with enough of a donation, since as soon as it was finished with me its handlers took it back into the temple and my frineds did not get theri "blessing".

    ReplyDelete
  4. mainly mongoose (Lynda)9 January 2011 at 11:13

    I get nervous just looking at that first photo. I was once chased for 6 km (in a vehicle thank goodness) along very rough bush tracks by an outraged cow. Seriously scary!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Judy11 January 2011 at 17:35

    That first shot is wonderful! Maybe because the only elephants I have seen have been in the zoo, but I do not feel a threat. Likely I would feel a lot different if there was no fence...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Firefly the Travel Guy12 January 2011 at 08:18

    Wow, Max. Fence or no fence, you got a stunning photo with him facing you straight on.

    ReplyDelete
  7. TallTchr20 January 2011 at 21:59

    Excellent photo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. myonlyphoto5 February 2011 at 04:48

    Max-e that is absolutely amazing shot, but scary thought that you were front of him. Funny thing, I probably be doing the same, shooting pictures. Great opportunity. Anna :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Eileen Mariane aka Marmsk12 February 2011 at 23:17

    What can I say, that is a superb photo!

    ReplyDelete