Elephant

So where to start.... Elephants, yes I knew they were big, but when you see them close up, they are huge. We were looking for elephants when we noticed a group off in the distance. So out can they long lens... no no said the guide, wait... 

Wait for what I thought as the diver started the vehicle and off we went in the opposite direction. my heart sank as I thought, the light was perfect, bouncing off the elephants backs, they were just mooching around, yes they were far away, but to lose such a great shot.... yes my heart sank. 

We drove a mile or so and stopped dead on a track. "wait" said the guide. we waited a short time then I was told to look behind me..... the whole herd was walking straight towards our vehicle..... changing lens' quickly, I tried to get the shots in. The matriach stood close to the vehicle until each and every member of the group walked past. When finally they all walked passed, she gave out a hoot, raised her massive ears and promply turned around to follow the group.  It was amazing to be surounded by such graceful giants, I had to pinch myself, just to make sure this was really happening......

The group passed so close to the vehicle it was hard to get some shots, some out of focus, some just about capturing an eye or two, but the best one, a little out of focus, was when a youngster, stopped at the vehicle, looked up, then I swear she offered me her trunk... my heart was thumping. The youngster didn't stay long, as she was called over by the matriarch. But what a moment. This is the first photo below...

We came across a few groups of Elephants in different habitants during our stay. I took hundreds of photo's, my shutter trigger finger was working over time.  Below are just of few elephants we came across.

Click the image to enlarge