Médaille d'or dans la catégorie « Photographie Animalière »

The giraffe is the tallest animal on the planet, seeing one being born in the wilds of Kenya was a miracle. The first image in my series is aptly titled ‘A Mother's Protection’ depicting the new-born giraffe gathering itself after a rather lengthy plumet to terra firma. After the mother licked the young one clean, she stood above the baby as it gained the courage to try and stand for the first time. By moving forward, so as to place the baby between her legs, the mother giraffe kept a vigilant eye out for any would-be predators. The baby giraffe made a series of attempts to stand but it was no easy feat. The mother stood watching and encouraging. Finally the baby got its legs splayed far enough apart and made a another brave attempt to stand.Then, quite incredibly, in what stands out as the highlight, the mother giraffe stuck her leg out to support her baby. It worked and the baby stayed on its feet long enough to gain some much-needed balance. Finally, with the baby up on wobbly legs, the mother lead it off into the bush, leaving us spellbound at having witnessed one of nature’s most incredible marvels.