GIRAFFE DRINKING

We waited by Jakkalswater in Namibia's Etosha National Park all afternoon. Early on, springbok, gemsbok, eland, wildebeest, zebra and ostrich were drinking at the waterhole. In mid afternoon, a lioness arrived and they all retreated to a safe distance. As the afternoon wore on, 32 giraffes arrived and formed a well-mannered queue. Giraffes are generally safe from lions but when drinking they must bend down, making them vulnerable to predation. Obviously thirsty, none of them dared to drink whilst the lion remained in occupation of the waterhole. Eventually a herd of 12 elephants appeared, sending the lioness running. The elephants stayed for nearly an hour, drinking, bathing and wallowing, after which it was finally the turn of the giraffes. I framed tightly to emphasise how this most elegant animal is forced to adopt an ungainly posture in order to quench its thirst.

F/6.3, 1/640th second, ISO 400
Accepted: Olympic (Greece) 2015 - Zeus & Apollo