Five-Legged Elephants
The best place in the entire world to see and to make photographs is wherever you are. Freeman Patterson
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My heart has been stolen by elephants. I am captivated by their presence, their size, the aura that surrounds them. When I saw prehistoric cave paintings of mammoths deep in an underground cave in France, I realized that humans have revered the elephant for millennia. I resonate with creation stories of indigenous people, like the Samburu, who believe they are descended from elephants. It’s hard to find words to describe the ancestral connection that stirs my soul when I’m in the presence of the largest land mammal on earth. As a photographer I try to capture in images what I can’t express in words. So, imagine my thrill when we were invited to spend an hour in a photo hide and a big bull elephant headed straight for us.
Oh no, a five-legged elephant ……
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It’s no surprise that the largest mammal on earth also has the largest penis. “Arggghh a five-legged elephant” is a common frustrated comment from photographers in the safari vehicle. You can try to click the shutter at the right moment, kinda like asking the ele to cross its legs. Sometimes that works, but I had other challenges going on that day too. It was noon, the light was harsh, the background was busy with vegetation.
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I hoped as he got closer, with my ground level perspective I might be able to include more sky and avoid the bushes. More sky yes, that helped with the background but now the extra appendage was even closer!
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The bull was very chill. My problem was not his problem. Then another bull entered stage right and calmly marched across my screen. Another five-legged elephant! Was this some kind of competition? I have no idea, I’m not a biologist, but this behaviour definitely constrained my photo options.
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The pair enjoyed a long drinking session in companionable silence. I had a spectacular front row seat. There was nothing between us but a pool of water a few meters wide. What a privilege to be so close to wild animals in their natural habitat.
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I experimented zooming in and looking up in an attempt to get some portrait shots. Such handsome elephants. What big ears, what beautiful tusks, what wise amber eyes…. What is that giraffe doing in my picture? Photo bombed by a giraffe, I put my camera down and aligned with the elephants. They seemed to be telling me, relax, enjoy the moment, life is good, have a drink.
©kathykarn
Nature is a great teacher about letting go. I learn so much more when I get out of my own way. I remember my mentor, Angeles Arrien’s wisdom; be open to outcome not attached to outcome. I will continue to try to communicate my love of elephants with my camera. I’ve just booked 3 nights at the lodge with the photo hide for next January. Hey elephants, c’mon back, I’m coming to see you!
©kathykarn
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