A Deep sleep for a pod of Hippo
I watched these hippo for 5 hours while waiting for a particular elephant, who decided not to put in an appearance. They did not move the entire time I watched them other than the occasional ear twitch. I guess they are getting in as much sleep as possible before a long night of grazing. Lots of grass around at this time of the year so they dont have to travel to far from the water to fill those little bellies :) Hard to believe, looking at them lying there that they are responsible for more deaths in Africa then any other wild animal.
Beautiful pictures. Amazing such peaceful looking dangerous creatures. I found you through the #payitforward contest. You were featured by @williamgabriel. Congratulations and all the best.
@energyaddict, Thank you for your comment and support. @williamgabriel has been a big help by entering my post in the pay it forward contest. I appreciate the effort and hope to repay everyones efforts by doing the same. Hopefully you will find other wildlife photographs I post as beautiful and entertaining.
I did not know the hippo was the cause of so much death, when we see them on TV or in movies they are almost always portrayed as gentle grass eaters, It is the rhino we are shown that charges the cars and people, not the Hippo, so that was interesting to learn. Thank you. I found you through the #payitforward contest. You were featured by @williamgabriel, and I am glad he did, otherwise I would still be thinking nice giant fat hippo, as I watch people try to pet it.
Hi @bashadow, Thank you for your comment and support. Much appreciated as is @williamgabriel for entering me into the #payitforward contest.
Although Hippo are responsible for more deaths in Africa than any other animal, they are not actualy that aggressive unless frightened or protecting calves. The vast majority of the deaths occur when hippo are grazing and people get between them and the water, which is their safety area. They will autimatically run to the water when alarmed and if you are in the way you have a serious problem. Rhino also have a bad REP. The white Rhino which is the larger of the two African species is relatively docile and you have to push their comfort zone quite hard to get them to charge. The smaller black rhino which is much rarer prefers dense thorny scrub areas and because of this contact normally happens at close proximity. All wild animals pretty much have 2 responses. Flight or Fight. Because people normally get to close to Black Rhino before the rhino see them their response always appears to be fight. Given enough space they will run rather than fight.
I've enjoyed your nature photography posts and the way you share the personal connection you have with your surroundings! I resteemed this post and will be using it in the #payitforward contest! https://steemit.com/payitforward/@energyaddict22/help-the-minnows-and-help-yourself
https://steemit.com/payitforward/@williamgabriel/pay-it-forward-contest-week-4-blog-entry I mentioned you in this post. I would encourage you to participate in the contest yourself!
Thanks @williamgabriel, I appreciate your help. I will look into how I go about entering the competion