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Rhino, too close for comfort (pls read)


Rhino, too close for comfort (pls read)
Photo Information
Copyright: Jochen Van de Perre (pixelpower) (54)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003-10-04
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Olympus C-2100 UZ
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-05 5:12
Viewed: 1629
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
While in Matopos NP, our guide said he was going to look for Rhino, jumped out of the jeep, and left us there all alone. After 10 minutes he came back and said "OK I found some". It took a while before it dawned on us; he wanted to go on foot.

So we did! We approached against the wind. It was a mother and calf, standing under a big accacia tree. This was midday, and he went really close (20m). She looked at us, but he reassured us she would not get from under the tree; it was midday, very hot and apparently they don't like that. Also, Rhino have very poor eyesight.

So we took plenty of pics, and after 5 minutes or so, we left. I was the only photographer, so I was the last one to leave. When walking back to the jeep, I suddenly heard a dead branch snap behind me. Instinctly, I turned around. The guide heard it too as he was immediatly next to me. The Rhino came walking after us!

The guide said the jeep was too far away, so asked us to sit down, be real quiet and make ourselves as small as possible. He said she got curious and came to check us out, and that she would come real close. If she did not consider us to be a threat, she would leave.
And indeed; she came up to about 4-5 meters from me, then stopped, and looked at me for what seemed like ages. Why me? Is it because I was the tallest? Finally she turned back and left.

This is the last shoty I took, just before she stopped coming closer. I could not get my lens wider than this (I did not have an SLR yet, then).

Note; this was on our first day in Afrika, on our first gamedrive ever!

So if you wonder why I try to go back there whenever I can, and why I consider it "home"; well now you know.
pvs, ralfsworld, irimi, vanderschelden, Nephrotome2 has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To demeve: God?!pixelpower 1 04-06 02:08
To vanderschelden: Hey Annick!pixelpower 1 04-05 15:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2007-04-05 5:19]

Hi Jochen,

A nice picture accompagnied with a nice story,I have been in matopos as well in 1999 and we met as well 3 white rhino's on foot,fortunately they where just lazy under a tree and did not make any intention of checking us out,a well captured shot with good colors and details,TFS

Paul

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-04-05 5:32]

Ji Jochen,
perfectly detailed and sharp shot. Brillaint pose and POV with a great DOF.
Congrats,
Joey

Hello Jochen
Nice shot and story.
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • irimi Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 35 W: 2 N: 48] (262)
  • [2007-04-05 6:34]

Hello Jochen,
Beautiful capture and wonderful story. Nice low PoV and nice DoF. Next time try to use a long tele lens instead of getting close with a wide angle. It is healthier :) Well done.

Greetings,
Ahmet

Hallo Jochen,
Verdikke, wat een verhaal...
Ze staat er schitterend op trouwens...
TFS en welkom 'home?'
Annick

Gee. What a story.
I was once checked out by a all hord of hogs. Mixed feeling: the hope they would come even closer and the awareness of the danger.
I got no shot of that. You got a fabulous one.
For posting I might have chosen to crop out the calf, as its head is truncated.
TFS
JM

They are quite tame, actually. They are not indigenous to Matopos, but were reintroduced from S.A. They been around for some time (last time I saw them was in 1989!). They are white (Square-lipped rhinoceros) (Ceratotherium simum)

Picture is full of 'action' with an nice POV and focus.

Great Story Jochen, Africa is really something, a very special place and contrary to what people think God still watch over Africa, Just look a nature and you will see him...

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