Can you spot the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) in this photo? It’s not that hard, but it shows you how well camouflaged they are, although there’s really nothing they need to hide from (the only predators go after babies, who are well protected by their mothers, and of course they’re herbivores.) In fact, this one’s so easy I don’t think I need to give a reveal.
It was taken in Kruger, and presages my five posts on the five days we spent in the park. Click photo to enlarge.
Well, you’d think spotting an elephant in a picture wouldn’t be a challenge. (I see it.)
Got it👍🏻
I like this one – once the first clue is perceived, the remainder almost materializes … trying not to give away…
Also been wondering – why does it sorta look like fall all the time? It’s nearer the equator, so I figured it’d be green….
/naive question
It is the dry season, which is our summer and the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. The rains will come in October, transforming the park into a verdant hue that looks completely different from this. All those “dead” trees and bushes will leaf out, the rivers will fill up, and there will be plenty of food and water for herbivores and (of course) for carnivores.
It’s easier to see animals in the winter down here as they’re not hidden behind trees. Summer is hot and humid with plenty of rain, but also, I’m told, very beautiful. I should come back then, for the contrast is said to be enormous.
[ embarrassed ]
SA is way further south than I thought!
Learn something new every day!… actually, very interesting to think about with the rain etc.
Thanks
As a minor clarification, it depends where in South Africa you are. Most of the country, like Kruger, has dry winters. There are a few small areas which have rainfall year-round. And Cape Town and the surrounding areas are the opposite of Kruger, with dry summers and very wet winters. In fact, this year’s July was, if I remember correctly, the third wettest month ever recorded and had roughly three times the average rainfall for July.
It looks like there’s more than one.
<3 seconds. That said, it’s really well hidden. If I were there and not looking, I could have easily been caught by a gigantic surprise!
Yes. I’d have probably missed it, too. I’m surprised how well camouflaged it is behind such sparse foliage.
Took me ages but I think I finally spotted it up the tree.
Why do you never see an elephant hiding in a tree?
Because they’re good at it.
Grouchy Marx once shot an elephant in his pajamas.
Ever since I was a child, for some reason I don’t fully fathom, my heart feels immense affection towards pachyderms.
It was easy to spot when I was told to look for an elephant, but if I’d just seen the picture without any prompt I don’t think I’d have noticed it.
I don’t see it. My eyesight isn’t as good as it once was. Need a clue.