The Benign Patriarch of Kabini

[Shyamala Kumar]

I think he is the most photographed elephant in the Kabini basin D3200+55-300MM ISO-400 F/10 FL-195MM 1/250S May evening 2013

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Nice to see the old tusker with head cocked on one side. By doing so while on move, it could have clear view of entire 180 degree in the front. Good document. Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

P.S.: Coming to your nice caption, the leader of the herd is always an old and experienced female elephant and master bull is master only to rule the young males in the herd and the master bull normally stays away from the herd in front or on the side (even 1 or 2 km away, this I have also seen in Kaziranga).SaktiWild

[Rajan Kanagasabai]

Oh yes, if he had his way with charging for modelling, he would possibly have been the richest of the elephant clan :-)

Curious on the 400 ISO (which means the light was low or you were gunning for a high shutter speed) and the F10 combo (which negates your Shutter Speed aspiration).

The full frontal facing the camera, the eye contact and the stance is a great asset to the picture. Did you also try an off centered composition ?

Thanks for sharing

Rajan

[V S Sankar]

Nice to see an imposing tusker.Nice comments from Saktiji as well.

Regards

[Shyamala Kumar]

Thanks Saktipadaji ,Rajan, Shankar.Saktipadaji as you say, the matriarchal system does exists in all elephant herds.This particular male displayed a marked degree of benevolence and tolerance .