Through the Trees

Congratulations! This is the Image of the Week selection for the Wildlife Gallery, week ending 28th September, 2012!This is Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, ladies and gentlemen...

Gentle giants strolling through ancient forests of trees towering so high over them that they seem miniscule...and so much more for you, the feeble human being trudging around (on foot) trying to photograph the enormous magnificence of this place, yet coming out of there feeling totally inept to do justice to the place.

This is one such attempt...

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 @ 1/400 SS @ ISO-560
handheld, on foot, full frame
I know many won't like the 'blown out' sky, I feel it adds to the ambience/mood here...

Would love to see this one in B&W!

SFJ

Cover page material this Morkel... superb one.. I think will look great in B&W as well..

One of my abiding memories of the Lower Zambezi area is the ability of these magnificent creatures to silently appear and disappear amongst the trees like this. For their sheer size they can move so quietly when they want to and blend in so well with their environment. This wonderful image captures that behaviour so beautifully Morkel and that gorgeous golden African light just enhances what is already a most evocative picture. Love the composition, perspective and depth - and the colour and light just as it is.

Works fine for me, agree a mono might work really well.

Love the mood!

The sky is not a problem for me. In a perfect world the tree growing out of its head ....

Super pic, well seen and taken.

Chas

Nice frame, the ears spread out add to the elegance of this species...love the mood/light, it's a beauty !!

I love the way the ele is framed between the trees and with the others behind. The warm color of the light is very pleasing. I think the flared ears are a key element to this as well. Very well done.

This is fantastic, Morkel. Love the warm feel to this, and the composition works very well to show your perspective.

Pure class!, great stuff and big congrats on IOW!!!!

Thank you all so much for the kind comments, and for another IOW selection

Well deserved a fantastic image.
Steve R

A very beautiful picture Morkel.
I just thought it would be very apt to post this article by Nat Geo on the agony of this gentle and humble animal.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/ ... risty-text

Nagesh Mula