21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Playing Elephant mud balls

Savuti, Chobe National Park, Botswana Elephant (Loxodanto africana) The sun was setting already when a large herd of elephant arrived at the waterhole where I was waiting for something to happen. The sun was from behind them and I had a long 600 mm telephoto lens on my camera in anticipation of smaller subjects.. There was no time to change lenses as the elephant started playing in the muddy but beautifully backlit water. I focused mainly on their trunks and the art created by them with the backlit muddy water as they splashed and blew… This one was creating mud drops/balls flying around. I am very satisfied with the results as these images are very unique.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.1019
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: NA, Botswana
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Dr Johan J Botha