The Story Behind the Shot
Play is essential to both human and elephant development. Laughter is good medicine; it encourages creativity and reduces stress.
Highly Honoured Finalist in Nature’s Best Photography Animal Antics
Early in the morning of my blog publication last week I was thrilled to learn my image of two adolescent bull elephants goofing around won Highly Honoured in the Animal Antics Category of the 2023 Nature’s Best photography competition. Here’s the story behind the shot:
On our way back to the lodge in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy adjacent to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve we came across a large group of elephants. Two big adolescent bulls were jousting in the midst of the herd. This game of push me pull you is how young bulls prepare for more serious battles when they are older. Males in musth often fight over females in oestrus. It can be serious, even deadly. This, however, was a friendly wrestling match.
The rest of the herd gave the rambunctious boys some space. I readied my camera hoping I could get a shot of the action, but they seemed to lose interest in the game and moved apart.
I could imagine the bull on the left throwing out an insult like, “Scared? Chicken!” to his friend who retreated towards the herd (and probably his mother).
Whatever was communicated, the other bull returned and shoved his buddy. Game on!
Now it was bull #1’s turn to resist. He tried the elephant sit down manoeuvre. His friend would have none of it! They were hilarious – I got the shot.
Bull #2 added his knee to force his friend back on his feet.
The energy of the moment dissipated once bull #1 stood up and two elephants sauntered of with a companionable air.
One of the key elements in wildlife photography is capturing a moment. It can happen in a split second so it’s important to be ready. The challenge is to catch the gesture in good lighting, with a clean background and minimal distractions. The image of “Sitting Bull” keeps the memory alive of how fun it is to watch elephants play. I hope this image brought a smile to your day.
You can see all the Category Winners and Highly Honored photographers in the current Nature’s Best Photography International Awards competition by visiting the NBP Awards Gallery (link below). I encourage you to scroll through the gallery of wonderful nature and wildlife images.
The Grand Prize, Youth Photographer of the Year, Category Winners, and all Highly Honored images will appear on the NBP website and be published in the 2023 Winter Special Collectors' Edition of Nature’s Best Photography magazine. The images will also be displayed on social media and in exhibitions as they develop. I’m thrilled and honoured to be a member of this year’s finalists!