Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Elephant Hug

A mother elephant protectively embraces her calf. Elephant herds a comprised of juveniles and females, and the females work together to protect the young ones. I had to be patient to allow the elephants to become accustomed to my presence. The older females often moved to shield the younger elephants from my view.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2018
Date Uploaded: 09.2018
Photo Location: Uganda
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Ben Blankenship