Elephant Camouflage Etosha National Park, Namibia
“The Godfather” – Etosha National Park, Namibia – Peter Delaney – Featured Photographer
Do we have any elephant fans out there? I bet after checking out his portfolio we will have a lot of new Peter Delaney fans. When I first saw this image it looked like this huge elephant was trying to hide behind a low lying cloud, hence, the “Elephant Camouflage” title. Below is a very detailed story about this bull elephant that gives the sense you are on the northern Namibian plains with Peter. Please check out Peter’s blog blog.peterdelaney.co.za and website www.peterdelaney.co.za after you learn the story of “The Godfather”.
Enter Peter:
While he stands knee deep in the waterhole his eyes are closed as he dozes off. Now and again this giant will swish his tail or fill his trunk to spray his massive frame with the cool grey liquid. He is big – 4 meters tall and over 4 ton in weight, he is the “Godfather” as I affectionately call this giant elephant. It’s two in the afternoon and the heat is relentless; over 30 degrees Celsius and no shade.
It’s been the same routine for weeks now. The Godfather and his two shadow bulls arrive early afternoon and commandeer the waterhole. This is the only water for 20 sq kms and the animals have travelled all day to drink this life saving water. But this “Trinity” will not give way or tolerate any other animal to drink in their presence.
A multitude of animals, springbok, gemsbok, zebra, ostrich, giraffe, even lion have waited hours for the elephants’ departure so that they may quench their thirst. From a photographer’s point of view watching this action is like manna from the heavens as there are attempted lion kills, sporadic jostles between herd males vying for dominance and occasional visits from black rhino that appear like specters as the sun fades below the horizon.
When the elephants do eventually leave my heart skips a beat as I prepare for the shot that has eluded me for so long. In my mind’s eye I have visualized this scene many times. But in order for this to happen I need them to walk towards me. But each day I groan inwardly and at another missed opportunity as the trinity head off to dust bath in the opposite direction.
Today however will be different as that morning I had seen the three bulls feeding from a camel thorn tree away from their usual feeding place. Soon it will be time for them to depart. I leave, anticipating their route, and wait silently for them to come in to view. I have checked and rechecked my equipment and decided upon the camera and lens combination. I now relax and control my breathing as they come in to view.
The next ten minutes are a bliss of forgetfulness as I zone in to the task at hand; only one moment stands out.
He stands still before me in all his magnificence, raising his trunk filled with the red Kalahari dust. In one fluid movement he sprays his forehead and for one brief moment he is covered in the magic of dust and light.
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Stunning
Elephants are the best. Great picture and great story.
Wow! This is amazing. Wish I had taken it.
This is one of the coolest pictures I’ve ever seen. I’m a fan of elephants and I like the dust in his face. I cannot even imagine how massive he must be up close!
amazing and beautiful shot
Superb capture! Well worth the working in that heat
Si wonderful. I do a lot of illustration, for children, using elephants. This is a beautiful photo. K.
Love it!!
Gorgeous shot!
Amazing photo!
One in a billion. It makes me feel how massive and actually dangerous elephants can be – but I feel their beauty and peace at the same time.
Awesome image.
One of favs in ages.
Dave
Nice in action shot here! Ann
what a pic….mesmerizing moment and the text makes it even more precious.
The photograph is amazing, and the story behind it beggars belief. That is dedication to for you. All credit to Peter for enduring such harsh conditions to get this one shot. This is probably why I am not a wildlife photographer!!!
Thank you for liking my photos too.
i’m another one wishing there was a WP like button here, because this photo is amazing! thanks for liking my blogpost too.
Great in all its beauty! I love this magnificant animal, they are so graceful and strong at the same time.
This is such a great shot – It really captures the centuries of elephants that roam the desert.
Fantastic shot!!!
Hi,
What a photo, just unbelievable well done.
wonderful capture…love to see more!
Stunning photo…..but he need a drink!
Thanks for sharing
Paul
I love the camouflage title! Thanks so much for checking out my blog. It looks like you have some amazing photos!
very cool…like he’s shaking the heat out of his brain!
Glorious moment…. Glorious image….
What an awesome pic! I’d kill to see all this wildlife. This photo represents hours of hard work. Kudos to the photographer.
When the title mentioned, “The Godfather”, I was thinking Tommy Guns, .38 specials and Cannolis? hahahha not an elephant!)
lol, I did not mean to go anonymous:(
When the title mentioned, “The Godfather”, I was thinking Tommy Guns, .38 specials and Cannolis? hahahha not an elephant!)
Amazing – utterly amazing!
I feel like that some days!!
Awesome! We saw elephants in the Balule Reserve, South Africa in November and they are amazing animals. One was in musk and he smelled terrible. He was also pushing down trees to let the females know that “I am strong!” Thanks so much. Here’s more about my trip and what I learned from it http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/escape-to-your-life/
Sue Bock
http://bestlifeafterbreastcancer.com
http://couragetoadventure.com
couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
Always enjoy to visit your blog.
Blessed be.
Wow – amazing.
Amazing creatures, these elephants and it’s interesting how the hierarchy works.
Stunning! shot!
Utterly stunning, picture and story; thank you so much for sharing this with us. May all those who hunt elephants for their tusks perish in the Kalahari dust!
I love the story and the picture! What an incredible experience and photo!
It is wonderful to see an elephant in his natural habitat, not being forced to perform for an audience. This is a refreshingly wonderful share. Thank you!
Very cool shot!
Magnificent!
Great picture. You got it and it was definitely worth the wait.
Omigod, he’s great. Love the title. The majesty of him.
The site’s telling me I’ve said this before. Can’t help how much I like.
Omigod, he’s great. Love the title. The majesty of him.
Fabulous photo! I love throwing dirt on myself once in a while too…
This is beautiful!
He looks quite majestic.
Not sure I could wait around in a hole in the ground for a shot like this…but then again…maybe I would! Fantastic! Thank you.
What a photo!
I love this image… it tells a story it one shot and is beautifully captured
extraordiary
I really would like to “lke” this fine photo; but the “like” button seems to be gone.
Always a pleasure to view your blog.
i can only imagine the strength that an animal has along with power, that would make other strong ones wait in the background, waiting their turn. i would not want that mighty beast running at me
Wow, amazing story and stunning photo!
Beautiful!
Great action photo. Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
The Godfather on fire….
Very good shot..
A great reward for hard work and preparation!
The photos are getting better by the day – yesterday that fantastic shot of the bear and today this … love the movements in this shot – the dust is just flying .. and he shows that he are present and he are the king. Brilliant, Peter – and thanks for sharing it.
OMG! When I read the title, I expected to see a rock formation of some kind. As I arrowed down to the full picture, my heart skipped a beat. He is so impressive, even doing something so ordinary. Wow!
The story behind the picture is as breathtaking as the picture itself.
I was thinking the same thing
Beautiful!
Greet title. So fitting. Wonderful pic and fabulous portfolio. Love the patterns file.
Beautiful
a m a z i n g photo and background story!! It reminds me of how in chinese the ideogram for imagination and creating images is that of an elephant -this gives it a totally new spin!
thank you for sharing these absolute jewels!!
amazing shot!
The Godfather indeed!!
Fantastic image. Perfect timing.
+1
wow, what an amazing action shot