We came upon this rhino early one morning on a riverbed in the Sabi Sands Reserve. He was by himself and out for his breakfast. This is one of the times i was a little nervous as I was on the sandy, rock-strewn riverbed, and it's quite difficult to read what's going on in his mind. Most of the time he is minding his own business but, rhinos are famously short-sighted, and I am probably just a blur to him, but any movement on my part, even to move my aching knee from a rock would trigger a change in his attention towards me. The closer he got, the less I could move. The vehicle was not very far but for a charging rhino that was a mere hindrance!! Anyway, after a few minutes he walked behind a boulder, and we took the opportunity to exit right.
Canon R5, EF 200-400 f4, ISO 800 1/800 f5.6. Processed in LR with a vertical crop, color temperature, tonal and contrast adjustments and finished in Nik Color Effex 7.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 9 comments posted
Cindy Smith
Great story. You are much braver than me! I didn't notice the bird until I studied the photo. I might see if cropping in closer to focus on the bird looks better. His beak is the most colorful thing here. Stay safe! Posted: 07/06/2024 19:58:26
Dean Ginther
I understand rhinos can be quite dangerous and this one does look like it might be considering a charge. And the ears, wow. They look like they have flowered. Posted: 07/06/2024 22:10:37
Mervyn Hurwitz
You are much braver than I am! But the eye level shot really makes the composition "pop". The ox pecker also helps to provide some color to the image. Well done. Posted: 07/09/2024 18:17:25
Diane Perry
I don't have any suggestions for improvement. Well done! Posted: 07/10/2024 04:46:50
Jaswant Madhavan
Thanks all for the comments. This one did not charge, although any movement on the ground was met with a nervous twitch! The red-billed oxpeckers are beautiful. They feast on the ticks on the rhinos and serve as an alarm system as their eyesight is particularly good and the rhino's isn't. Posted: 07/10/2024 09:49:21
Jacob Wat
What an amazing photo. The level of detail in the photo and the lighting is amazing The story behind how you captured the photo is amazing I would be way too nervous and worried during that whole event. The bird is also amazing. Posted: 07/15/2024 14:31:45
Jaswant Madhavan
Thank you Jacob. I won't say I was not a little nervous!! Posted: 07/17/2024 10:53:23
Pierre Williot
This is a WOW image again!
Eye-level - staring at the camera, the ears in different positions, and the red beak of the bird on its back - simply WOW. (Maybe slightly reducing the shadows would be helpful on its ears, especially the left one.)
Having said that, you must realize that any faux pas could have led to serious injury/ or even your demise! You have to be a thrill seeker!
I prefer keeping my adrenaline level lower by using a long telephoto lens.
No question in my mind: this is a Keeper! Posted: 07/16/2024 16:07:09
Jaswant Madhavan
Thank Pierre. You are quite right. I will open up the shadow on that ear. I am not a thrill seeker at all. I think the chances of getting hit by a car crossing one of our wild roads is higher than being charged by a rhino. We are incredibly careful about getting out of the vehicle for some of these photos and will only do so if the conditions are right, the animal is calm and feeding and minding its own business. That being said, there have been an instance where another animal has surprised us by appearing out of nowhere and not very happy we were on his turf! Elephants, in spite of their massive size, move very quietly. You catch my drift? :-)) Posted: 07/17/2024 11:16:19
