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A rest in the shade


A rest in the shade
Photo Information
Copyright: David White (dkaved) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 267 W: 18 N: 439] (2032)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1996-07
Categories: Mammals, Trees, Savannah
Camera: Olympus OM-10, Olympus 35mm
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wildlife of Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-11-14 14:25
Viewed: 1327
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A Masai Giraffe catching a bit of shade from the burning sun under an acacia tree.Another image from my Kenya trip some 10 years ago...scanned from a negative so I apologize for the quality.

Masai Giraffe
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The tallest land animal and largest ruminant.Once found over a vast range in Africa, wherever trees were found, giraffes have been eliminated from most of the west and southern Kalahari range. They are found in savannas, coastal forests, and open woodlands.

The giraffe’s most distinguishing feature is its very long neck and legs.Giraffes have seven vertebrae in their necks, the same number as humans. The pattern of a giraffe’s coat is unique, much like a human fingerprint.

Giraffes are nonterritorial and sociable, living in loose, open herds. There are no leaders and a minimum coordination of herd movements. Giraffes have only two gaits; an ambling walk and a gallop.

A mother will stand over and defend her calf against lions and hyenas, the giraffe’s biggest predators, and will strike them with their sharp hooves if they get close enough. Despite this determined defense, 50 to 75% of calves fall prey to predators during their first months.

Source: www.racinezoo.org/massai_giraffe.htm

Umbrella Thorn Acacia
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One of the most recognizable trees of the African savanna. It grows in sand dunes and rocky grounds of Africa's grasslands. Acacia's grow in areas with annual rainfall as low as 4 cm. This tree can survive in 122° F temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at nights.

The Umbrella Thorn grows up to 20 meters high and has a spreading, flat-topped crown that gives it its name. The bark on the Acacia is black to gray in color and feels rough. The branches on the Acacia are gnarled. The Umbrella Thorn has two types of thorns on the branches; long, straight, brownish thorns and shorter, hooked thorns that grow alongside each other. The thorns grow in pairs and disguise themselves in the clusters of flowers that grow on the Acacia. The flower clusters have up to 400 white, puffball flowers that grow on a twig on the Acacia.

The acacia's umbrella-shaped tops enable the tree to capture large amounts of sunlight with the smallest possible leaves. The thorns are used to keep the savanna animals away from eating the leaves, flowers, and seedpods. The only animal that is immune to the thorns is the giraffe.

The Acacia provides shade for the animals of the savanna. The trunk of the tree makes very good charcoal and firewood. The flowers on the Acacia provide a good source of honey in some regions. The stem of the tree is used to treat asthma, and diarrhea. The bark of the acacia is used as a disinfectant, and the pods are used to make porridge.
The Acacia is not endangered, and it is actually plentiful. There are over 700 species of the Acacia in Africa.

Source: www.blueplanetbiomes.org/acacia_tortillis.htm
dew77, horia, blakitan has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-11-14 15:03]

Hello David,
Very nice capture of giraffe.POV,framing,details,colors,lighting and composition are wonderful.It's good idea to catch him with a tree.Excellent work!
TFS..:-)

Hi David,
This is a really nice composition and great picture of giraffe at its natural habitat. Greatly captured. Unfortunately, thick shadow of the tree makes patchy brown color of giraffe's skin becomes not clearly visible.
Nice shot.

Ben Lakitan

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2125 W: 222 N: 3910] (12979)
  • [2006-11-15 9:51]

Hi David

What a great capture! The timing here was really great!
The poor giraffe was most likely hot and so it rested here under this lovely acacia.
Exellent POV, really beautiful and well saturated natural colors, great contrast and a very nice composition all-in-all.
Very well done!

Bravo and TFS
horia

Una estampa muy bonita de la jirafa a la sombra del árbol. Los colores som muy naturales. Un saludo

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