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Giraffe Scratching Post, Wildlife Safari-OR

© Denny E. Barnes
Deluxe Website: debarnesphotography.com

Giraffe Scratching Post, Wildlife Safari-OR

Uploaded: April 15, 2010

Description

Wildlife Safari Giraffe, Oregon

Early written records described the giraffe as "magnificent in appearance, bizarre in form, unique in gait, colossal in height and inoffensive in character."

This tree must be this Giraffes favorite scratching post as the limbs are worn very smooth and polished...More info in comments.

Have a Great Day
f6.7, 1/180sec, ISO125, 50mm (18-200mm lens)

Exif: F Number: 6.7, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/180 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 125, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 50.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Denny E. Barnes level-deluxe April 15, 2010

The giraffe is the tallest living animal, uniquely adapted to reach vegetation inaccessible to other herbivores. Giraffes have a distinctive walking gait, moving both right legs forward, then both left. At a gallop, however, the giraffe simultaneously swings the hind legs ahead of and outside the front legs, reaching speeds of 35 miles an hour. It has unusually elastic blood vessels with a series of valves that help offset the sudden buildup of blood (and to prevent fainting) when the head is raised, lowered or swung quickly. Giraffe "horns" are actually knobs covered with skin and hair above the eyes that protect the head from injury.

Behavior
The giraffe is non-territorial and social; it lives in very loose, open herds with no specific leaders or coordination of herd movement. This structure reflects that a giraffe’s size makes a “safety in numbers” tactic unnecessary, and that the trees they feed on tend to be spaced apart. Dominance between males is established by “necking”—swinging heads at one another in tests of strength. #1258952

Ron McEwan April 15, 2010

It seems so natural, outstanding comp and pose well done in every way Denny #8536790

Tiia Vissak April 15, 2010

a cool shot! #8536983

Robert R. Goodman April 15, 2010

Hi Denny,that is a cool shot,the only time I get to see them is at the zoo.Beautiful capture my friend!!!! #8537078

Denny E. Barnes level-deluxe April 15, 2010

Thank you Ron, Tiia and Bobby!
I just wish I could have gotten a photo of the kids feeding the giraffes. They use open top buses and trucks for the kids to feed them but they were too far away this time and directly into the sun, maybe next time... #8537289

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe April 15, 2010

Wonderful capture of this this Giraffe, Denny. Fantastic lighting and capture. Great series. #8537395

Mike Clime April 15, 2010

Cool capture and it really puts it into perspective how tall they really are! #8537462

John Connolly April 15, 2010

An excellent capture and insight into the make up and lives of this animal, Denny! Your informatio is spot on, as usual!
I haven't had time to check out the "Berries" yet, but it is high on my list of things to do! #8537663

Ann H. Belus level-deluxe April 15, 2010

Wonderful capture, Denny! And thanks for the info on this amazing animal...I am going to have to stop at this Safari Park! #8537839

Monnie Ryan April 15, 2010

Certainly is an interesting and complex animal,Denny - very neat capture! #8537915

Denny E. Barnes level-deluxe April 15, 2010

Thank you ever so much Tammy, Mike, John, Ann and Monnie! #8538240

Tammy Espino April 16, 2010

An awesome capture of this tall wonderful animal!! :) #8540002

Denny E. Barnes level-deluxe April 21, 2010

Thank you, Tammy! #8559668

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