Etosha National Park, Namibia, Africa

An African elephant bull kneels down on the graveled sand in this wildlife photograph in color. On his calf muscle leans the tail with long hair. Every detail of the hair and skin show perfectly.

copyright Anette Mossbacher, 16 July, 2023

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This photograph was captured with a X-H1 and a lens. The following settings were used:

  • Aperture: ƒ/7.2
  • Exposure time: 1/1900s
  • ISO: 1600
  • Focal Length: 406.8mm

The original photograph has the following dimensions: 5657 by 3772 pixels (WxH).

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In that wildlife photograph, the African elephant bull kneels down to rest his leg on the graveled sand. On his calf muscle leans his tail. Every hair of the tail shows perfectly in this photograph. Also, each wrinkle in the leg is detailed.

You can even see the tiny sparse hairs sprouting up along its leg to the knee. A very up close and personal wildlife photograph captured magnificent detail. Indeed, the sole of the elephant’s foot contains hard calluses from a lifetime of walking on rough African terrain.

The calluses are a result of lots of walking. African elephants walk up to 195 kilometers / 121 miles per day. However, they generally only walk an average of about 25 kilometers / 15 miles a day. They can also run at speeds of about 40 kilometers / 25 miles, which is faster than humans.

An Elephant Never Forgets

They say an elephant never forgets. That could be because they are brilliant creatures and have brains that can weigh as much as 4-6 kilograms / 9-13 pounds. The skin of an elephant is up to 2.5 centimeters / 0.9 inches thick in certain spots.

Very often these animals come to the water during the day and at sunset. Romp around in the water and quench their thirst. Furthermore, elephants are very prone to skin parasites and use mud and dust baths to try and get rid of them. Of course, also to cool off.

African elephants, Loxodonta africana, are listed in the category vulnerable on the IUCN list.

Explore more incredible photographs such as the ‘Elephant Bull Kneels Down,’ in our African wild animals’ theme. You can buy a license for this wildlife photograph and buy fine art prints, acrylic prints, modern metal, and canvas.

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2 comments for Elephant Bull Kneels Down

  1. Stephen

    Beautiful image of the elephant leg with the tail. 😃

    • Anette Mossbacher

      Many thanks, Stephen. 😀

  2. Hanneke

    Wonderful detail-picture, love it!

    • Anette Mossbacher

      That elephant had a go with dust and rubbing his legs in the dirt. The elephant photograph ‘Elephant tusk covered in dust’ is of the same animal.
      Thank you very much, Hanneke.
      Ciao Anette

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