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Hook to the eye


Hook to the eye
Photo Information
Copyright: Robin Du Bois (robindb) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 96 W: 0 N: 275] (965)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08
Categories: Mammals
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-02 8:01
Viewed: 495
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I was sitting at Sunset dam when a herd of about 40 buffalo came down to drink. After a while these two started a small scrap and this photo was taken with that borrowed 600 mm lens. I wish I could borrow it on a permanent basis!!

From Safarinow.com

African Buffalo » Syncerus caffer » ‘Buffel’

Also one of the great big stomping foot, hoof and horn brigade - the Big Five - the African buffalo is like a massive cow on steroids. Once popular trophies for big game hunters, they're fascinating and incredibly gregarious animals that can gather in herds that number several thousand.
Driving through such a herd can be the ultimate game viewing rush, even if they're just peacefully grazing, which they do most of the time. If you do manage to drive near such a herd, cut the engine and listen to the munching of thousands of big black buffalo and try to out-gaze their challenging stares. Buffalo are extremely hierarchical and form subunits that stick together. Basically that means that everyone has a place in the herd, with the higher ranking groups at the front and centre, gaining the best gaining and protection from predators.
The lowest ranking buffalo graze at the back and are the main targets of predators. Of course testosterone plays a major role in this class conscious society and bulls dominate the cows. Females move up the hierarchy when they have a calf in tow. Males raise their status by using their fighting prowess with lots of head butting, charging each other at 20 km an hour and smashing heads together with a force similar to a car crashing into a wall at 50 km an hour.
Buffalo herds are usually placid but if alarmed they will stampede with dire consequences to any predator that happens to be in their path. The herd actively protects its members, especially if there is a distress call from a calf. The whole herd will rush to its defence and even chase lion away.
• Status: The African buffalo has been given a Lower Risk Conservation Dependent status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• When is the best time to spot buffalo? Spending time at waterholes in the early morning or afternoon or going on a night drive has great rewards. Buffalo tend to seek shade during the heat of the day and feed mainly at night.
• Where do buffalo roam? They prefer open woodland savanna and grasslands that has access to shelter.
• Reproduction: Calves are usually born in the wetter summer months and keep up with the herd within a few hours. The gestation period is about 12 months and they weigh about 40 kg at birth.

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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Robin
Ouch..Thats got to have hurt..I guess what hurts more is having to return a monster 600mm!!
A great capture indeed.
All the Best
Paul

Hello Robin,
Sunset dam eh..:-)
Fantastic place to spot animals.
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-02 21:23]

Hello Robin

These buffalo like to play rough.They are dangerous beasts.
Excellent timing,the clarity is very good.
The lighting is well handled with natural colours.
Well composed in the frame.
A very action filled and interesting post.
TFS

Rob

Hello Robin,

Wow a great Buffalo fight or play?. Excellent timing and composition. Well spotted.

All the best

Cypturk

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