Category: giraffe

… of fifteen Giraffe. Last night I was at the right time at the right place to take this picture of a few of the world‘s tallest land mammals in front of a waterhole, on a savanna, and with the rolling hills of Zululand in the background.

A group of Giraffe can be called a ‘Tower of Giraffe’ when they mingle in an area or a ‘Journey of Giraffe’ when they are on the move.

Unlike most other large mammals Giraffes have no strong social ties. Individuals can join or leave a group as they like. But except for old bulls they usually prefer to congregate with others.

When on game drive, one often spots a Giraffe and one thinks it is a lonely animal. But it is actually part of a group spaced out over a large area, keeping visual contact with others from its great heights.

A female Giraffe can reach over 4 meters (13”) in heights, a male of 5 meters (16”).

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 125 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+2 | 100mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image

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Additional images:

The blood pressure of a Giraffe is over double that of the ‘human standard’ (120/80). The tallest land mammal on earth requires the highest mammal blood pressure on earth to sustain its brain, far up above the ground.

And when adult Giraffe want to rest, they usually sit down and keep their head up in the air, not to risk high pressure damage to their brain.

Whenever they have to lower their head they do it only for short periods of time for the same reason.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 100 | 1/750sec | f4 | ev+1.5 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

This image, taken yesterday at Thanda Safari, depicts the difference between male and female Giraffes very well (apart from the obvious difference in genitals).

Males are considerably larger, are bold on told of their ossicones (often called horns), and have knobbly and rather ugly calluses on their forehead (from fighting with other males).

The females have a beautiful smooth face, long eyelashes, and a tuft of hair on top of their ossicones,

Their ‘courtship procedures’ are rather long-winded. Once the male has identified a female in estrus he will follow her patiently for days. Until the female deems the time right she will move away from him as soon as he tries to make advances. When she thinks she is ready, she will start circling him and rub her neck on his flanks until he is willing to mount her.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 100 | 1/1000sec | f4 | ev+/-0 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 70% of original image | bean bag shot

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

#Amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

This afternoon at Thanda Safari. At the right time at the right place!

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At the end of yesterday evening’s game drive I took this picture of a male Giraffe walking along a ridge on Thanda Safari. It is these moments that make my job so special!

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Watching a Giraffe chewing a bone while eleven Red-billed Oxpeckers were hunting for prey!

#Amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography