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Sunrise Rhino


Sunrise Rhino
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 0 N: 4829] (14332)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-03
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wildlife of Nepal [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-12-17 11:03
Viewed: 757
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This shot was taken from elephant back and is a scanned slide. The main problem photographing in Chiywan is the long elephant grass - the wildlife is relatively easy to locate - photographing it is quite another matter!

The Indian Rhinoceros or the Great One-horned Rhinoceros or the Asian One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is a large mammal found in Nepal and in Assam, India. It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 25 mph for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has an excellent sense of hearing and smell but relatively poor eyesight.

These rhinos live in tall grasslands and riverine forests, but due to habitat loss they have been forced into more cultivated land. They are mostly solitary creatures, with the exception of mothers and calves and breeding pairs, although they sometimes congregate at bathing areas. They have home ranges, the home ranges of males being usually 2-8 square kilometers in size, and overlapping each other. Dominant males tolerate males passing through their territory except when they are in mating season, when dangerous fights break out. They are active during the day and spend the middle of the day wallowing in lakes, rivers, ponds, and puddles to cool down. They are extremely good swimmers. Over 10 distinct vocalizations have been recorded.

The Indian Rhinoceros is a grazer. Their diet includes grasses, leaves, aquatic plants and fruits. Feeding occurs during the morning and evening where they use their prehensile lip to grasp grass stems. Indian rhinos use lower incisor teeth as a slashing weapon. It should be noted that Indian rhinos does not use their horn as a weapon. Indian rhinos have few natural enemies, except for tigers. Tigers sometimes kill unguarded calves, but adult rhinos are less vulnerable due to their huge size and dangerous weapons. However, there is a recorded instance of a tiger killing a full-grown female Indian rhino.
eqshannon, Debz, rousettus, Necipp, Adanac, earthtraveler, Finland_in_Eton, angybone, horia, lovenature has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To captainsgirl: SurprisedJamesp 1 12-18 23:51
To eqshannon: CustomsJamesp 2 12-17 16:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello James
This is a superb picture of the rhino.
Absolutely superb work from an elephants back which I guess must be a very bumpy ride.
Lovely exposure and framing.
Tfs
Paul

nice portrait, TFS Ori

A very nice image James...I would like to see the size of your journey packs...Oh yes and I would not want to be behind you in customs..:-) I say that with a smile...as an American of course:-)
You post the most interesting and variety? No question you have been there ..done that!
Bob

Hello James,
Thanks for posting this; it reminds me of a similar encounter I had in the same place, possibly even atop the same elephant, some years ago. Except that you have got a really good shot of the Rhino that we never came close to getting.
The focus is really sharp on the face and the colours are very natural. You've even captured a tick bird into the bargain. Well done. Thanks.
Alan

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-12-17 15:03]

Hi james, what a great way to photograph a Rhino! I was nervous on your behalf before I read your note. Such a great closuep and I like the tight frame, it adds impact. Beauiful Rhino and the light works well, great detail, exposure and sharpness. I was in Nepal and the National Park was on my itenary, however I didn't make it to the park as I enjoyed the Himalayas so much I lingered. I am always hoping I will get the chance to go back sometime. Great work.
tfs
debz

Hello James,
Great capture of this large mammals with great POV, composition and focus. Lighting and natural colors very nice. Great work. TFS.
I wish you and your family happy new years and marry christmas.
Ahmet

Hello James,
Well done on the captured with perfect sharpness, vivid colour and details even on the back of an elephant!
great composition and a good notes
TFS
cheers
Tony

Hello James a fine shot with a great CAM, lovely focus on the eye nice pose captured looks very intimidating indeed tfs your great captures rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4096] (13768)
  • [2007-12-17 18:52]

Hello James,
Thanks for bring this fine image to us. I have never seen one of this species and your image is sharp and well exposed as usual give us a splendid view.
Rick

Hi James,
Fine shot of this Rhino. I like the view through the grass.
Great POV to see it's gnarly facial features.
Good focus deatails and comp also.
Sounds like a fun ride.
TFS
Richard

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 8 N: 1096] (4054)
  • [2007-12-17 22:29]

Hello James,
Awesome capture, I don't have much time tonight so
just would like to congratulate you for this superb
picture.. Well done

Everton

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 242 N: 5550] (19643)
  • [2007-12-18 2:33]

Hi James,
super duper image of this Indian Rhino!
The eye-level POV is fantastic!
Super sharp and detailed.
Great composition.
Well done mate,
Joe

Beautiful shot of this animal. DoF is spot on. Very nice composition. Considering you were on elephant back it is excellent all around.

TFS, Mish

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1329 W: 107 N: 4785] (21248)
  • [2007-12-18 5:09]

Hello James, great shot of the Rhino, details are crispy clear and it has a nice sparkle in its eye. Well done my friend ! Thanks,

Mario

Your adventures amaze me! WOW!
Love that you took this from the back of an elephant. That is awesome!
Great shot! You really stir my imagination with your travels.

Hi James,
I'm not positive about this , but I think a Rhino is not an animal I'ld like to be surprised by! But again I'm thinking they aren't one that can tip toe up behind you either!!
I like the grasses around him/her what a curious looking creature! TFS
Donna:o)

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-12-18 10:50]

Hello James

What a cute little rhino.
The eye contact is wonderful.
Well focused with sharp details.
The colours are natural and well saturated.
What a wonderful encounter.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2078 W: 216 N: 3757] (12468)
  • [2007-12-18 10:59]

Hi James and sorry for the delay...my internet was down :(

What a unique shot!!! A splendid animal but a rare sight, but reading your note i couldn't help smiling when i heard you took it from an elephant's back :)
Indeed that high grass can be very tricky in getting a clear shot of any subject, but you really managed a super job here and took it well, sharp and in a splendid light.
I actually like the look of that grass here...it gives the scene a natural feel and integrates part of the habitat in the frame.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Thanks for this great picture!

Hi James
Congratulations on being featured today. They chose a nice image for their destination feature. It must have been a bit of a challenge from the back of an elephant. Hopefully the elephant was still. A nice sharp portrait, good colour and compositon. Interesting note too.
TFS Janice

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