Elephant Portrait

I find elephants one of the most interesting animals to photograph - one can focus on the eyes, tusk, feet, trunk or even the tail as all provide images that are instantly recognizable but also unique. In this image I wanted to focus on the texture and deep lines of the elephant's trunk and face.

This picture was taken in the Mashatu Game Reserve (Botswana) in the “green season” , otherwise known as the "rainy season". We positioned our safari vehicle on the edge of a river bank and patiently waited as a herd of elephants approached the river. After pondering their descend, the herd made its way down the bank and into the river bed, spending time drinking and wading in the muddy river. Mud baths are also popular with elephants as they use the mud to protect their skin from the sun and to keep pesky flies away.

While watching the herd, one particular elephant stood out - one that was larger and appeared older than the rest. This elephant's tusks were worn and signs of age appeared on its face. The caked mud emphasized the character and mood in the face of this elephant that I was trying to capture.

Click here to discover more wildlife photography from Canadian visual artist Christine Lundvall.