Resting Elephant
I took this photo of a magestic asian elephant as we were driving through the rainforests of Munnar, India last year. Apparently this big guy was used to move large timber around and occasionally give tourists a ride on his back. It was very humbling to see such a large and impressive creature resting without a fence or wall between us.While I don't think he was being abused or mistreated the expression on his face and the line of tears running down from his eye strike me as sad (although the tears could have been caused by something else).
Canon 20D, 50mm 1.4, AV f 2.0
[click photo to enlarge]
And if you're interested in seeing other photoblogs, I've just updated my links section below...
posted by Ahamed Iqbal at 12:04 AM
16 Comments:
great capture!!
He (or she) is really cute! I love elephants. Nice photo, too!
It almost looks like that the elephant is lost in his own thoughts. Cool...
Awesome that you got that close to him. He looks very much like an old tired man. Did he look thin to you? His forehead is depressed onto his eyes. Showing lots of his skull bones.
Thanks for the comments.
Mona- He didn't look too thin to me, probably more just old age. I see what you mean about the skull though.
Ahamed...very nice picture. When I was a kid my dad decided to become a missionary doctor in East Africa. I have been very close to elephants many times and it is a thrill. The tears are just due to a lack of proper drainage in the eye. The tear patterns are useful for identifying a specific elephant.
Well, even if the tear line doesn't come from sadness, your description of what you saw was moving. Lovely photo, too.
Thanks for the comments,
Blogbank- your explanation makes me feel better for the elephant. Interesting info too. Thanks.
Great capture! I have only had the opportunity to see elephants in captivity, but I am always awed by their size, grace and the depth in their eyes. Beuatiful.
Thanks D Macintyre.
I know what you mean about the eyes, they look very human.
Wow, that's a very good closeup of this fellow. Elephants
are one of the most amazing creatures on the planet.
Bautiful picture!
Indeed he looks quite exhausted , old and sad.
Don't you miss India sometimes?
Thanks for the comments-
Wolf- I am surprised at how close it was considering I used my 50mm lens.
Sidney- I do miss India somewhat but I came over here very young (3) so I'm used to the U.S.
I love the tears, it gives it a lot of charactor. Love this shot.
Such a beatuiful creature. Amazing how you just walked up to it and took its picture without a telephoto lens or a fence.
Thanks for the comments.
It didn't seem like this guy minded people around at all. He looked content just sitting and resting.
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