20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Bathing Rhino

The photo shows a rhino enjoying an evening mud bath at a waterhole in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe. The area is thankfully well protected against poachers and has a healthy rhino population. From sunset to dusk the rhinos come to drink. This rhino decided however to slip into the water and have a mud bath, alone. I was well hidden in a dugout but for a second it seemed to sense me as I took this shot, before it carried on with its bath. As cliche as it sounds I felt that it looked right through me. I hope that the photograph captures is gentleness and vulnerability.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Near Chiredzi town, Zimbabwe
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Copyright: © Claude Levy