I have to admit I fell in love with African Elephants. Most of the time they move at a deliberate pace but don't be deceived - they can move quickly when they want to. They truly seemed to enjoy their time at the water hole.

Tags:   Africa Botswana wild wildlife © Alice Cahill Mammal Sony a9 Elephant Mashatu Game Reserve Animal Daily Ray of Hope DROH

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I loved watchiing the baby elephants. They have so much to learn about how to be an elephant. Crouching down and protected by two adults, this little one struggles to master control of his trunk and take a drink.

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Sometimes standing up after a mud bath presents problems for little elephants. Keeping their feet under them on slippery ground is a learned art.

Tags:   Africa Mashatu Game Reserve Elephant wildlife © Alice Cahill Mammal Mud Sony a9 Botswana wild Animal

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Africa - what an experience !!! So many incredible animals. Elephants were one of my favorites. I never knew the color of an elephant's eye until I had the chance to photograph one.

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I noticed that some of the adult elephants did not have tusks. I asked one of our guides about this and he replied that it is a result of poaching. The poachers take the large tusked elephants out of the gene pool and over time more and more elephants with no tusks are born. About 30 percent are tuskless. It is a disadvantage for them because they do use their tusks to dig up roots to eat.

Tags:   Sony a7r3 Mashatu Game Reserve Elephant wildlife © Alice Cahill Mammal Reflection wild Africa Botswana Animal DROH Daily Ray of Hope

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