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Babycare


Babycare
Photo Information
Copyright: Vivian Droog (viv) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 301 W: 3 N: 613] (3060)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-12-30
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Konika Minolta Dynax 7D, Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO Ultra DG, Soligor UV
Exposure: f/11, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger a palette of Eden, they say.
Date Submitted: 2008-05-29 3:18
Viewed: 386
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A baby hippo weighs about 60 kg at birth. Imagine bringing that home from the delivery room. They can swim before they can walk and drink milk from the mother hippo underwater. But even with their large bulk they are vulnerable to attack from lion, hyena and crocodile...
Female hippos give birth to a single calf in shallow waters, or sometimes in a dry nest among the rushes. Baby hippos are pink when they are born and weigh between 60-80kg (50-75 pounds). Their skin darkens quickly and within a month or so are the same colour as the adults.
It's a tough life for the baby hippo - it suckles underwater and has to surface for air every minute or so in between sips.
Baby Hippo - Fun and Security
Baby hippo learn to swim before they can walk. However sometimes they can't swim fast enough - then they hitch a ride on their mum's back.
It's a big part of the devoted hippo mother's job to protect her baby from the clumsy male, also from lions and crocodiles.
It's not all fun and games though... baby hippos need discipline. The mother will scold or rap the baby on the head if it misbehaves!
Danger to Humans
The baby hippo itself isn't really a danger, but indirectly it is definitely responsible for some sad statistics.
Because hippo females are so protective over their young, one needs to be very careful on a canoe safari. Should you row by when she has a baby nearby, she might attack to avoid harm to come to her calf.

Thanks for looking
eng55, Argus, Miss_Piggy, goldyrs, jaycee, maurydv, Adanac has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 349 W: 3 N: 375] (1115)
  • [2008-05-29 3:22]

Hi Vivian,
Very cute scane.Well caught,framed and composed.Details,sharpness and DOF are also excellent.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2451 W: 132 N: 6982] (21825)
  • [2008-05-29 5:04]

Hello Viv,
Delightful capture of mother Hippo and child, the motherly contentment and the baby's 'smile' showing well in this fine composition. An additional bonus is the pair of Red-billed Oxpeckers on the mother's back.
TFS this image that is a joy to see!
Regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 255 N: 2426] (11037)
  • [2008-05-29 6:20]

Hi Vivian,

A very nice capture of this youngster and mum,well seen and captured,regards

Paul

Hallo Vivian
This week time is critical; however...............................This is a very special and relaxed moment you have captured between this hippo and her youngster. One cannot believe that a small mammals like this little one can grow into such a huge and heavy piece of meat. Lovely display of their natural surrounding. Kind regards and thanks for sharing.
Anna

What an amazing shot, Vivian...
Nature at her best, is what I say when I see a mother-offspring shot!
Excellent frame chosen!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1657 W: 8 N: 4252] (13851)
  • [2008-05-29 9:09]

Hi Viv,

A true Nature shot! I had seen lots of HIppos in Africa but not a baby. How wonderful to see this one right near it's mother. It looks so small!! A wonderful photo with excellent details and natural colors. The natural habitat is marvelous.

Jane

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1071 W: 59 N: 2186] (7259)
  • [2008-05-29 10:24]

Hallo Vivian,
De baby en de ossenpikker op de rug van het nijlpaard maken deze foto bijzonder. Erg mooi.
Groet,
Peter

Splendido ritratto familiare, molto bella la composizione (personalmente avrei circoscritto maggiormente la scena tagliando una parte a sinistra), ottima nitidezza e belli i particolari con gli uccelli sul dorso, belli i colori (peccato che ci fosse poca luce). Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1031 W: 1 N: 3945] (13270)
  • [2008-05-29 20:34]

Hello Vivian,
Tender scene superbly captured, what a sweetheart. Most wild Moms are very good Mothers and do what they feel necessary to protect their young.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful image Vivian.
Rick

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