Family of Elephants grazing in the swamps of Amboseli National Park with the Cattle Egrets having a field day

Tags:   elephant Amboseli National Park Great Egret

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Elephants walking away in a line from the waterhole in Amboseli National Park

Tags:   elephant amboselinationalpark GoldStarAward platinumphoto TheUnforgettablePictures NGC

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Dust bathing (also called sand bathing) is an animal behavior characterized by rolling or moving around in dust, dry earth or sand, with the likely purpose of removing parasites from skin. Dust bathing is a maintenance behavior performed by a wide range of mammalian and avian species. For some animals, dust baths are necessary to maintain healthy skin, similar to bathing in water or wallowing in mud. In some mammals, dust bathing may be a way of transmitting chemical signals (or pheromones) to the ground which marks an individual's territory.
Elephants often bathes in water, mud or dust. When bathing and dusting, these elephants gather water or sand in their trunks and then spray it out over their backs. When this is done with water, it is to help them cool down in the hot African weather. Other times when they dust and roll around in the mud, it is done not only to help cool down but also protect the skin from insects and parasites. Once the mud and dust is dry, the elephants begin scraping it off and in the process any parasites on the elephant are removed.

This huge bull Elephant (Loxoddonta africana) was photographed on a game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Tags:   The Dusting Giant Elephant Male Elephant Loxodonta africana Bull Elephant Animal Mammal Wildlife African Wildlife Wild Africa Wild Animal Wildlife Photography Endangered Species Critically Endangered Endangered Poaching Illegal Hunting Tusks Ivory Outdoors Out of Africa Nature Nature Photography Safari Game Drive Dust Bath Dusting Amboseli National Park Kenya MAC's Wild Pixels Wild Pixel Safaris Munib A. Chaudry ALittleBeauty COTH Fantastic Nature coth5 NGC NPC

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Explore at #49 on 2020-03-03

Fischer's lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) is a small parrot species of the genus Agapornis. The brightly coloured small parrot - named after Gustav Fischer - was discovered in the 19th century. Females and males are identical in appearance and do not exhibit sexual dimorphism. They have a green back, chest, and wings. The bird’s neck is golden yellow to orange color, which deepens into a deeper orange-red on its face. The lovebird’s beak is red, and the top of the head is olive green. It may also have blue or purple-colored plumage on the tail. The remainder of the body is a vibrant green.
The Fischer’s lovebird is named for the strong bonds formed between mating pairs. These birds mate for life and are monogamous. Lovebirds show each other affection and are known for biting, or nipping, each other’s beaks - a behaviour that makes them look as though they are kissing, which is where the common name “lovebird” arose. If a pair is separated, then the physical health of each individual will suffer.

Photographed on a game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Tags:   The Colourful Lovebird Fischer's Lovebird Agapornis fischeri Parrot Agapornis Bird Birder Birdlife Bird Watcher Bird Perfect Birds of East Africa Beautiful Bird Colourful Bird Birdlife Photography Avian Plumage Feathers Ornithology Animal Wildlife African Wildlife Wild Africa Wild Animal Wild Bird Wildlife Photography Outdoors Out of Africa Nature Nature Photography Safari Game Drive Amboseli National Park Kenya MAC's Wild Pixels Wild Pixel Safaris Munib A. Chaudry ALittleBeauty COTH SpecAnimal Fantastic Nature coth5 s5 NGC Nature Through The Lens NPC

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Explored #12 2020-04-09

African elephants (Loxodonta africana), range throughout the savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa and the rainforests of central and West Africa.
Elephants are matriarchal, meaning they live in female-led groups. The matriarch is usually the biggest and oldest. She presides over a multi-generational herd that includes other females, called cows, and their young. Adult males, called bulls, tend to roam on their own, sometimes forming smaller, more loosely associated all-male groups.
Having a baby elephant is a serious commitment. Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal - almost 22 months. Cows usually give birth to one calf every two to four years. At birth, elephants already weigh some 200 pounds and stand about three feet tall.

This beautiful scene of Elephants grazing in the early morning light with Mt. Kilimanjaro as the backdrop was photographed on a game drive in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Tags:   The Daily Trek Elephant African Elephant Loxodonta africana Animal Mammal Wildlife African Wildlife Wild Africa Wild Animal Wildlife Photography Biggest Mammal Outdoors Out of Africa Nature Nature Photography Safari Game Drive Sunrise Golden Hour Golden Light Herbivore Grazer Endangered Species Critically Endangered Poaching Illegal Hunting Ivory Tusks Mt Kilimanjaro Amboseli National Park Kenya MAC's Wild Pixels Wild Pixel Safaris Munib A. Chaudry COTH ALittleBeauty SpecAnimal Fantastic Nature s5 coth5 NGC NPC

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