<< Previous Next >>

Pushmi Pullyu - White Rhinos


Pushmi Pullyu - White Rhinos
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1296 W: 0 N: 5059] (15080)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1993-08
Categories: Mammals
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-11-25 22:56
Viewed: 970
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have taken a break from my Califonia trip today for a scanned slide tken with a Pentax Z1. I took this shot just after the Park opened. Ad we entered I asked where we would be most likely to see Rhino and the Panger indicated a road - these two were standing in the track no more than 5 minutes away. The title is a reference to the two headed Pushmi-Pullyu in the Doctor Dolittle books.

The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few megafauna species left. Behind the elephant, it is probably the most massive remaining land animal in the world, along with the Indian Rhinoceros and the Hippopotamus, which are of comparable size. It is well known for its wide mouth used for grazing and for being the most social of all rhino species. The White Rhino is the most common of all rhinos and consists of two subspecies, with the northern subspecies being rarer than the southern. The northern subspecies may have as few as 50 remaining world wide.

A popular theory of the origins of the name White Rhinoceros is a mistranslation from Afrikaans. The Afrikaans word "wyd" (derived from the Dutch word "wijd"), which means "wide", referred to the width of the Rhinoceros mouth. Early English settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wyd" for "white". So the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the White Rhino and the other one, with the narrow pointed mouth, was called the Black Rhinoceros. This explanation is thought to be somewhat implausible. A review of Dutch and Afrikaans literature about the rhinoceros, however, has failed to produce any evidence that the word wyd was ever used to describe the rhino.

An alternative common name for the white rhinoceros, more accurate but rarely used, is the square-lipped rhinoceros. The White Rhinoceros' generic name, Ceratotherium, is derived from the Greek terms keras "horn" and therion "beast". The specific epithet, simum, is derived from the Greek term simus, meaning "flat nosed".
Aaltjie, haraprasan, cataclysta, marhowie, angybone, gracious, earthtraveler, anel has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Aaltjie: Same RhinoJamesp 1 11-27 02:31
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Dear James
Whenever I see an image or photo of a rhinoceros, I am as always astound at the hugeness of this animal. It is as if these two were just waiting for you, as it looks like they are posing right at your lens. I like the 2 of them together, this way one can compare the one’s horn size to the other. One can also see that the one is older than the other. I do not know much about them and found your notes interesting to read. One of these might just be the same as another shot of the white rhino taken in the Umfolozi game reserve. You could have a peek at the ones I am talking about here The Charmer and White Rhino One would never know, but it would be very interesting if it was the same rhino with 3 different images thereof by 3 different members at 3 different times. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Aaltjie

hello james,
nice capture of the pair of the rhinos, looks as if they are posing for you, nicely composed shot, good pov, natural colours,,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1761 W: 29 N: 5136] (16820)
  • [2007-11-26 2:49]

Hi James,
Just marking this wonderful post from you and will come back with a proper critique in a while.
Regards.
Sumon

Hi James,
A beautiful capture of these two rhinos. Very good details and POV. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi James
Another impressive photo from great place. I like the natural situation and good exposure. Sharpness is pretty good. Also very informative note.
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hi James,
I like the rhino's juxta-posed this way, helps to make it a frame-filling dose of rhino flesh..
Very good detail, DOF, and natural colors.
The rhino's horn right looks ultra long..and extremely sharp too :)
Well done!
Howard

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1824 W: 243 N: 6007] (21398)
  • [2007-11-26 6:37]

Hi James,
nice photo of these rare beauties!
Those horns look very formidable!
They have formed a barricade in the road :)
Superb composition.
Great sharpness and good detail.
Well handled exposure aswell.
Well done,
Joe

I love the title! Too cute! :)
Wonderful shot...something most of us will never see in the wild.
WOW!

Hello James,
Good shot also a great composition of Rhinos!
good pov with total sharpness, vivid colour and so much details
a great notes that comes with it with thanks
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 120 N: 5170] (22817)
  • [2007-11-26 9:11]

Hello James great shot of the Rhinos ! You're a lucky man to have seen all this. Well composed, good sharpness and the exposure is just right. Well done !

Mario

Hi James,
Fine shot of these two.
Appropriate title.
Odd how the eyes look too low on the head.
Good work, TFS
Richard

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1315 W: 72 N: 2778] (9211)
  • [2007-11-26 10:48]

Hello James,
You were lucky that these two are blocking the road. Now you got a great photo. I was there in Umfolozi, a fantastic park. Beautiful sharp photo with a very good DOF. Natural colours and good compsoition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-11-26 19:59]

Hello James

"Well I've never seen anything like it in my life."
A very good shot of these rhinos.The focus is excellent and the details are sharp.
I would be happy with any shot of a rhino and this one is wonderful.
The POV and DOF are well done.
TFS

Rob

Hello James,
Well, I guess those guys make an effective road block..!
Wildlife well captured, great details in the animals and nice focus control leaving the background pleasantly blurry!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1216 W: 0 N: 2145] (9064)
  • [2007-11-27 6:44]

Hello James,
Even if it is an older picture, it is most interesting. And you caught even two of these seldom creatures! I like your note a lot, and amusing to see from where comes the names of "White Rhino".
Thanks a lot
Anne

Hi James,
Excellent shot. I never had a chance to see theses Rhino,
Great composition POV and colors.
Congratulation.
Cheers.
Michel

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF