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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Rothschild's Giraffe
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus & Species: Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi
APPEARANCE: Rothschild's giraffes have the basic appearance of any giraffe subspecies: long legs, a long neck with seven vertebrate, and a leopard-like coat. The main trait that distinguishes the Rothschild's giraffe from the others is the colour of its coat. The coat is pale and thickset when compared to the Masai giraffe, the patches are less jagged and anywhere below the knee is usually unmarked. Rothschild's giraffes reach heights of 5.5 m (18 ft) and weights of 1200 kg (2700 lbs). They have a long tongue used to clean their eyes and ears. Five skin-covered ossicorns are arranged on the top of the head, with a boss in front and two pairs behind it. Rothschild's giraffes have a life expectancy of 20-30 years.
HABITAT Rothschild's giraffes are found in wooded plains or shrubs and thickets in several countries south of the Saharan desert, including Kenya. They have been exterminated throughout much of their former range.
FOOD The Rothschild's giraffe is herbivorous and feeds on thorny acacia trees and other plants by grasping the leaves with its long tongue. They eat throughout much of the day and consume a daily amount of 30 lbs of leaves. The males feed from the top branches and the females from the lower branches, giving the trees a distinct appearance.
BREEDING Rothschild's giraffes become sexually mature between the ages of 3-5. There is no mating season; they can mate any time of the year. The gestation period is 14-16 months with one calf being born. The young are born with all five horns, or ossicorns, a rarity among mammals.
ENEMIES Lions, hyaenas and leopards are the main enemies of the calves, whereas poachers hunt the fully grown to be made into tourist mementos. All have greatly declined the giraffes' numbers.
CONSERVATION Breeding programs have been successful in many Australian zoos. Three young have been born at Perth Zoo, and Melbourne Zoo and Orano Park Wildlife Trust are also trying to breed this subspecies.
RELATIVES Rothschild's giraffe is one of nine subspecies of the giraffe and is related to the okapi.
The above obtained from
IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 18:57 p.m.
Date: 5th May 2007
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM
Extender: Canon EF 1.4X II
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/4.5
Focal Length: 225mm
ISO: 200
External Flash: Canon 580EX Speedlite
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw |
spalaxtr, wuta, warnzy, rcrick, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Hi Pam,
Really a great portrait. You managed to do great work. Nice pose showing the head clear, crisp and sharp. Nicely composed. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Mustafa
- wuta
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 879 W: 2 N: 605]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(2032) - [2008-02-18 7:27]
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Hello Pam , A Cute shot from the giraffe , great pose sharpnes details ,and hi looks to you , very good job , tfs Greetings Teunie .
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- warnzy
(574)
- [2008-02-18 11:10]
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Hi Pam,
You have captured an unusual pose here and you have also captured some stunning detail. It's fascinating to see the face of this amazing creature close up. Great shot.
Mike
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- sway
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 316 W: 88 N: 308]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1212) - [2008-02-18 23:47]
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HI Pam,
I love the expession on your tall blondes face.
Nice work:-)
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- rcrick
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 557 W: 39 N: 1001]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3266) - [2008-02-19 21:33]
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Hi Pam,
Oh this is so good; I love the facial expression on this Giraffe just beautiful, excellent detail, and so well framed, really nice work, well done all the best Cheers Rick :)
You've captured the "dorky" look here perfectly Pam ;)
Excellent portrait, fine details. Great exposure, POV, and the colors look natural.
Hope you are well mf,
Howard
