My favorite of the Big Five
Nov 11, 2019 19:00:59 #
When we arrived in Africa with all of the excitement of a kid on Christmas Day, we met the guide before our first game drive. He looked at me and said "what are you most excited to see while you're here?!" I instantly answered ELEPHANTS! He sort of chuckled as if that was a given, probably expecting to hear Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, something rare and hard to find...but nope, not me. It's the elephants through and through. There is something so incredible about such giants that could flip your Land Rover and stomp you into the ground without even tiring themselves, but at the same time are so gentle, emotional and sensitive, focusing on family and especially taking care of the seniors and youngest in the herd.
This is a small sampling of all of the INCREDIBLE elephants we saw in South Africa and Botswana. They got so close to us in South Africa that my husband actually had to lean back in his seat or he would have been bumped into! They are harmless until they're not, but we never felt threatened.
It was a true sight to see them in the wild and I hope someday to start working with a non profit over there to help protect them. For now I just look at their pictures and smile :)
This is a small sampling of all of the INCREDIBLE elephants we saw in South Africa and Botswana. They got so close to us in South Africa that my husband actually had to lean back in his seat or he would have been bumped into! They are harmless until they're not, but we never felt threatened.
It was a true sight to see them in the wild and I hope someday to start working with a non profit over there to help protect them. For now I just look at their pictures and smile :)
Nov 11, 2019 19:12:22 #
Wonderful photos, Sark17. I especially like #2 & #3. You mentioned they have an emotional family connection, and powerful turn a Land Rover over. They are also delicate enough that they can pick a single flower with their trunk. Amazing animals indeed. Good first choice!
Nov 11, 2019 19:26:42 #
Thank you! And Yes! We must have spent thirty minutes watching one delicately picking bark off of a branch with the precision of a surgical blade. Super impressive. I feel so honored to have gotten to see them in their world!
John from gpwmi wrote:
Wonderful photos, Sark17. I especially like #2 & #3. You mentioned they have an emotional family connection, and powerful turn a Land Rover over. They are also delicate enough that they can pick a single flower with their trunk. Amazing animals indeed. Good first choice!
Nov 11, 2019 19:36:47 #
I envy you..........they are THE most wonderful animals.
have a peep at elephants.com............to see their refuge!
have a peep at elephants.com............to see their refuge!
Nov 11, 2019 19:49:30 #
Nov 11, 2019 20:19:54 #
Another great post Sark17 ... one of my favorite critters & you've captured them well. Curious ... how close were you to those? Thanks for sharing.
Nov 11, 2019 20:26:28 #
Nov 11, 2019 20:31:32 #
Just returned from Kenya and the elephants had a special place in my heart as well.
Nov 11, 2019 20:37:15 #
Great photos !!! No. 2 is my favorite but they're ALL just fabulous !!!!! Power & sweetness...
Nov 11, 2019 21:00:22 #
Nov 11, 2019 21:34:05 #
Nov 11, 2019 21:36:29 #
Nov 11, 2019 22:12:56 #
Nov 12, 2019 05:38:12 #
Nov 12, 2019 06:34:43 #
Here’s my husband who was beside me for perspective. We got much closer to them (and they came much closer to us!) in the private game reserves because you’re allowed to go off road. In the National parks you’re required to stay on the trails so you don’t get AS close but you can get within 15 feet anyway! But this guy wasn’t even the closest. We had one come within inches of the truck as he wandered by. It was a rush to be so close!
fbeaston wrote:
Another great post Sark17 ... one of my favorite critters & you've captured them well. Curious ... how close were you to those? Thanks for sharing.
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