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Okavanga β€” A Journey of Giraffes

#game #giraffe #kzn #safari #southafrica #wildanimals #wildlifephotography
Published: 2016-08-18 12:13:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 1607; Favourites: 130; Downloads: 29
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Description A Journey of GiraffesThere is probably no other animal in Africa so instantly recognisable as a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)Β , with its tall, elegant shape, long neck and legs, and unmistakable skin pattern of reddish-brown patches. For the record, an adult male giraffe can be as tall as 18-19 feet (ca.6 meters) with females and couple of feet shorter. Perhaps surprisingly given the elegance of their movement, adult male giraffes weigh in at over 1 tonne (ca 1100 kg) and females at about 0.8 tonnes(over 800 kg). Another odd fact about the neck of a giraffe (up to 8 feet long in adults) is that it has the same number of cervical vertebrae (seven) as we have. However, evolution has lengthened and strengthened them to support and manoeuvre such a long and heavy structure.Β 

Why do giraffes have long necks? From the evolutionary perspective there are probably at least three reasons. First, the taller you are the further your view, an advantage
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Comments: 43

Captain-Art-Hero [2018-02-24 19:13:31 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful capture.

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Okavanga In reply to Captain-Art-Hero [2018-02-25 06:56:03 +0000 UTC]

Thank you kindly.

David

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AnnaZLove [2017-12-06 20:11:46 +0000 UTC]

High class!

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Okavanga In reply to AnnaZLove [2017-12-07 07:05:34 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much, Anna. They are beautiful animals.

David

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AnnaZLove In reply to Okavanga [2017-12-07 20:52:10 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure!Β 

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LenaKemp [2017-05-21 12:37:05 +0000 UTC]

nice snapshot!Β Β 

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Okavanga In reply to LenaKemp [2017-05-21 14:13:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you kindly.

David

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rdungan1918 [2017-01-05 19:12:51 +0000 UTC]

Nice did the guide get them all lined up for you? Β Magnificent creatures.Β  My favorite of the giraffe images.

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Okavanga In reply to rdungan1918 [2017-01-06 08:11:32 +0000 UTC]

Yep - sure the guide did this. Giraffes have a curious social structure in that they gather together, sometimes, to feed, and chew the cud, but most of the time they are solitary. So, here, these four are all heading off, but then one and then another will drop off and go their own way. It is possible in this group that it is two females and two nearly fully grown youngsters, in whch case this group of four will split into two groups of mother and offspring.

Cheers

David

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rdungan1918 In reply to Okavanga [2017-01-07 17:15:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for explanation.

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Okavanga In reply to rdungan1918 [2017-01-08 08:07:36 +0000 UTC]

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ScarabsCorner [2016-10-10 23:25:42 +0000 UTC]

Great shot!

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Okavanga In reply to ScarabsCorner [2016-10-11 06:16:11 +0000 UTC]

One of the highlights of the safari, Katey, but no vultures!

Many thanks

David

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ScarabsCorner In reply to Okavanga [2016-10-12 04:25:01 +0000 UTC]

I bet they must have found food somewhere I think giraffes are pretty neat

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Okavanga In reply to ScarabsCorner [2016-10-12 05:55:17 +0000 UTC]

There were vultures around, somewhere, just not in the profusion that you find elsewhere, and not so many that I could get any shots, Katey. The hyenas are the main scavengers in this reserve.

David

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ScarabsCorner In reply to Okavanga [2016-10-12 22:13:10 +0000 UTC]

I can understand that Hyenas are quite efficientΒ 

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Okavanga In reply to ScarabsCorner [2016-10-13 07:03:05 +0000 UTC]

Indeed!

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vanndra [2016-09-14 06:43:37 +0000 UTC]

Amazing!

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Okavanga In reply to vanndra [2016-09-14 07:29:12 +0000 UTC]

Classic image for them!

Many Thanks

David

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Scooby777 [2016-08-29 03:58:20 +0000 UTC]

Exceptional, David!

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Okavanga In reply to Scooby777 [2016-08-29 07:15:45 +0000 UTC]

Thank you kindly, Sheri - a magic moment.

Cheers

David

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Scooby777 In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-30 01:08:33 +0000 UTC]

Magic indeed!

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SweetButtermilk [2016-08-23 13:55:25 +0000 UTC]

What an experience and a lovely photo to have from it!

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Okavanga In reply to SweetButtermilk [2016-08-23 17:06:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much indeed. Yes, it was a marvellous trip.

David

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WillemSvdMerwe [2016-08-21 19:11:26 +0000 UTC]

Very impressive quartet!

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Okavanga In reply to WillemSvdMerwe [2016-08-22 06:10:46 +0000 UTC]

Thankee, Willem. Impressive they were! I wish I was back there right now.

Cheers

David

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DebasishPhotos [2016-08-20 11:30:39 +0000 UTC]

Nice shot.

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Okavanga In reply to DebasishPhotos [2016-08-20 12:41:47 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks!

David

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DebasishPhotos In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-20 18:33:18 +0000 UTC]

Β Β 

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thewolfcreek [2016-08-20 07:14:26 +0000 UTC]

Fine shot and capture...wonderful animals...

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Okavanga In reply to thewolfcreek [2016-08-20 12:42:43 +0000 UTC]

Indeed - giraffe are a treat to observe - more to them than most people realise, Steven.

David

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thewolfcreek In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-21 04:58:51 +0000 UTC]

When living in New Mexico there was a paved road which lead from the house I was staying in to the main road towards the highway...there were chain link fencing on either side of the road and a lot of trees...I was headed for the store in my van when I came upon an elk...not twenty feet from my van...he turned to look at me...snorted a bit and then just jumped over the fence with perfect ease...it's one thing to see an animal on tv...or pictures in a book...it's quite another to witness such a beautiful and graceful animal face to face...I've always remembered that moment in time...

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Okavanga In reply to thewolfcreek [2016-08-21 06:58:37 +0000 UTC]

That's a very good point, Steven. What you see in pictures and TV is just not the same as the real thing. So, these snaps of mine are a pale imitation of seeing the animals for real. As to the elk, it resembles in size and behaviour the African kudu, another magnificent creature that can jump 4 meter fences with ease. I'll se if I've any worthwhile shots of a male kudu and post them for comparison.

Many Thanks

David

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thewolfcreek In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-21 07:22:31 +0000 UTC]

Always very welcome David...I look forward to seeing your photos...

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poppplio [2016-08-18 23:20:39 +0000 UTC]

BEAUTIFUL MAJESTIC AMAZING GORGEOUS

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Okavanga In reply to poppplio [2016-08-19 10:35:50 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks - glad you like 'em!

David

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LindArtz [2016-08-18 21:44:53 +0000 UTC]

This is one terrifically beautiful photo, David! Β  Bravo! !!!

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Okavanga In reply to LindArtz [2016-08-19 10:36:34 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much, Linda - just in the right place at the right time.

Cheers

David

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EyeOfTheKat [2016-08-18 19:26:28 +0000 UTC]

Awesome capture!

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Okavanga In reply to EyeOfTheKat [2016-08-19 10:37:01 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks, Kathrin.

Cheers

David

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EyeOfTheKat In reply to Okavanga [2016-08-21 16:52:56 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure! <3

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Michawolf13 [2016-08-18 16:48:37 +0000 UTC]

Fabulous!

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Okavanga In reply to Michawolf13 [2016-08-19 10:37:41 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much - just the luck of the shutter.

David

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