Mid-morning in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, a pod of Hippopotami
were lazing on the bank of a river enjoying the warmth of the morning
rays of sun. Suddenly the entire pod rose from their slumber and rushed down to plung
into the river with enormous splashes and spray of water in all directions.
Hippotamus - Hippotamus amphibius
An enormous, amphibious mammal with smooth, naked skin. Inflated-looking body, supported on short,
relatively thin legs, weighing in excess of three tons. Head: huge muzzle, bigger in males;
eyes, nostrils, and little ears placed high on head. Teeth: canines enlarged as tusks, lower pair up to 50 cm in male,
kept sharp by honing against short upper pair.
Nikon D3, 12.1 megapixel resolution, FX format, AF VR-Nikkor 80-400 mm f4.5-5.6 D lens
focal length at 270 mm 1/2500th sec @ f5.3, ISO 640
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn