EarthShots.org Photo of the Day Contest

Monday, 28th March 2011

Elephant Matriarch

by David Lloyd

An elephant matriarch on Paradise Plain of the Masai Mara and taken using a wideangle lens only inches from the turf. It was fun as well, they got close, and I got low. They proved mostly inquisitive of the camera, some coming to within a few feet. One or two elephant mothers became a little nervous with their young calves present, so we left them alone. The camera was set very low to the ground as they passed, and the shutter tripped with a remote release. It was hit and miss initially, but eventually I learnt where to place the camera in relation to the subject, where to manual focus, whether higher or lower to the ground, all the while watching out for nearby obscuring grass and twigs too.

Equipment: Nikon D300 with 12-24 zoom and monopod

David Lloyd

I am a photographer of wildlife from New Zealand living in London with a current focus on African wildlife. I arrived here in late 1989 for a six month journey and I’m still here journeying twenty years later.

Website: www.davidlloyd.info

Elephant Matriarch by David Lloyd was photo of the day on Monday, 28th March 2011. It is tagged Elephants, Kenya, safari. You can leave a comment below.

25 Comments

Walter Carlson

28th March 2011 at 1:14 am

Beautiful, I love this picture, thanks for sharing.

Tim Andes

28th March 2011 at 2:20 am

altogether a wonderful nature photo. great lighting, composition, pov, etc plus i love elephants haha. thanks for sharing!

Balan Vinod

28th March 2011 at 5:59 am

David, this is fantastic , the POV, the light, the clouds, and great use of a wide angle, and the elephant looking straight at you. Well done.

Matt Hansen

28th March 2011 at 6:49 am

stunning comp and perspective. Very powerful

rainboy

28th March 2011 at 8:17 am

I hope you need an assistant

art x

28th March 2011 at 9:42 am

very well captured image. compliments

AlfonsoPaz

28th March 2011 at 10:09 am

Awesome Capture. Thanks for sharing.

deb

28th March 2011 at 12:51 pm

This photo really captured the majesty of the elephant. Thank you

Flame

28th March 2011 at 1:03 pm

Wonderful shot!!
It looks so big and powerful!
Flame

Rajib Singha

28th March 2011 at 2:11 pm

Beautiful capture David!

Helen Hart

28th March 2011 at 2:35 pm

Love how she has her eye on the camera!

Pat

28th March 2011 at 4:39 pm

A beautiful Lady! thanks for sharing.

Jacqueline Deely

28th March 2011 at 5:08 pm

This is just a fantastic image David. I love the composition and the detail in her skin. Lucky you to get so close:) Congratulations!

Gouldkb

28th March 2011 at 7:06 pm

Wonderful shot! Persistance paid off. Elephants are wonderful and fasinating animals, and we’ve only just begun to understand them. Thank you for sharing

Christine Lobsinger

28th March 2011 at 7:17 pm

Hi David,
This perspective sure paid off~ an excellent viewpoint with such beautiful colouring and details…
Purely Majestic!!!
Smiling Christine
PS… wish I could get my elephant images from the wild-
any suggestions for me when I visit the San Diego Zoo? It is one of the best zoos in the world- and I can’t wait to go- I love elephants!