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Asian Elephant


Asian Elephant
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1845 W: 109 N: 4262] (14141)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-02-02
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro, Digital ISO 200, Matin 58mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/90 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-23 4:18
Viewed: 1091
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
At Khao Yai we were lucky enough to observe this young bull Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) attending a salt lick near the access road. There is an observation deck deck and it was soon crowded as passing visitors realised one of the elephants had emerged from the forest. He was happily extracting dirt from the salt lick with his trunk and blowing it into his mouth. Then he turned and started walking towards us, so everyone retreated to the “safety” of their cars. He lost interest and headed back into the forest, happily trumpeting as he went.

There are several salt licks in the park, some with hides and at least two adjacent to the main roads with observation points. Elephants attend salt licks to extract essential minerals and salts from the soil that are not available to them from the plant material they eat, notably sodium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc.

There are around 300 wild elephants in Khao Yai National Parks area of 2,168 sq km, but seeing them is not guaranteed. My friend Dem had been here many times and has only seen them on four occasions. It was certainly an impressive moment to be within 50 metres of this forest giant. Asian Elephant bulls can reach 4 m in height and weigh up to 5,000 kg.

Within Khao Yai they feed on over 103 different species of plant and eat around 300 kg a day. They can live to 60+ years of age in the wild.
Miss_Piggy, bahadir, KOMSIS, Juyona, xTauruSx, Gert-Paassen, boreocypriensis, lousat, anel, pilonm, maurydv has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Chris
What a delightful view. I wonder if elephants are hugable? Because this one surely deserves a motherly hug. So cute and adorable. A real pleasure to look at. Lovely to see the dirt on the trunk and the wetness on the head. Baby elephants are always an enjoyable sight, even when Loot and I visit the game reserve. They have such lovely features and cute posture. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

Hello Chris
A beautiful capture of this cute baby elephant:) i love this shot so much. May be our supervisor Bayram has said you while you were here that my nickname is "elephant":).
TFS this beauty and regards,
Bahadır

Hi Chris,
Run with the elephant ... nice composition.
Comments about the beautiful natural park, very nice.
Colors and detail are good.
Have a nice day,
Seyfi.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2633] (15577)
  • [2009-04-23 4:57]

Hola amigo,
bonita captura,
atractivo foco y color...
espléndido encuadre.
saludos Chris-

Hello Chris, a realy cute elephant and its wonderful shot while walking.
Regards,
Deniz

Hi Chris,

Pretty view on this Elephant.
Good pov, dof, details with fine colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2009-04-23 11:02]

Hello Chris,
Very beautiful photo of this elegant elephant. The colours are so clear! The contrast against the BG is great. Excellent POV, composition, sharpness and details. Beautiful natural environment.
Regards,
Peter

nice portrait, TFS Ori

Hi Chris, a fine action capture of this pretty elephant with excellent neat details and nice composition.
TFS and take care you during my absence on TN.
All the best!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-04-23 16:05]

Hi Chris,a not usual friend on TN! One of most famous animals but not taken many times.Your pic is a top of perfection,details super and colors fantastics,my best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano

Hi Chris,
Glad you managed to capture one of these 'au naturel'.
Thailand must be very interesting.
Great work.
TFS & Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1726 W: 0 N: 3927] (15770)
  • [2009-04-24 2:11]

Hello Chris,
You seem to have had an interesting trip in Thailand. Striking in your picture is the combination of the grey color of the bull elephant and the brick-red ground. It makes a wonderful visual impact. Focus on the elephant is also excellent and it has been taken in a good pose and with an intersting glance in its eyes. Very well done.
Kind regards
Anne

Hello Chris,

Wow! I don't know what I would give to photography a wild elephant in nature. You did very well here by catching this one walking. I like very much the contrast between the ochre color of the salt lick and the grey tones of the elephant. Nice composition and good POV. The only thing maybe is that I had use a higher ISO in order to get more speed because at 1/90s, you got a blurry knee.

Greatly done otherwise!

TFS,

Michel

Hello Chris,
a fantastic capture of this young Asian Elephant, very good timing and superb sharpness, POV and composition are excellent.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

  •      
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
  • [2009-04-28 19:20]

Hello Chris,
What a cute baby elephant.
You captured him in mid-gait, and the details on his skin are super.
Beautiful light and exposure.
TFS. : )

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