SteemitPhotoChallenge Entry 3: The Elephant in the Room

in #photography7 years ago

The theme for the 60th Steemit Photo Challenge hosted by @jamtaylor is Animal Portraits, so I have a great final entry here:


Look how much energy and personality was conveyed in the meeting between this sweet elephant and my friend Mal!! 



Thank goodness Mal was dressed in blue, because she almost blends right into the wall. 😂 

This encounter was after a very funny safari we went on through the Rajaji National Forest in Idia. We didn't see a single elephant on the tour, but afterwards were offered to visit the "domestic" elephant - which apparently means they get chained on one leg and kept under a carport. 

I loved her. She helped herself to an orange I had in my bag. Her handler whacked her with a stick, and she took it away from him to scratch her belly with it. 



She was a very nice, gentle lady, and her living conditions made me sad. I would not like to be chained up, even if it was in some "nice" place with "nice" people taking care of me! This was my last experience/involvement with animal tourism.

After that, we had chai with a cow.












💛 Sara! 

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Very nice pictures especially the first one is so sweet. I bet you never thought you would have chai with a cow. LOL!

Hahaha yes what a surprise that she wandered right over for tea!

The top photo is pure magic. Beautiful. Yet then I was filled with sorrow hearing about the chained animal and stick beating. So sad. I wish we as a species were better than this.

Humans are pretty pathetic on so many levels....but we sure are arrogant!

what a wonderful shots you look fantastic love the first wonderful picture
and you look so sweet wish you a happy day

Thank you! Happy day to you as well!

Love the honesty, sadness & a touch of humor on this post!

Thank you! As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words :)

Amazing picture of the elephant smiling and looking so happy even with the scars and blue eyes! O:

Awesome picture chilling with the cow too! xD

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Beautiful animal

I agree! They express a lot of emotion.

Great participation in this challenge
The elephant looks cute

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I love elephants. I remember riding one in Thailand, as it was walking along it would reach up into the tree and pull pomelos off of the branches with its trunk and put it in its mouth. With one huge crunch it would spray citrus juice everywhere. The whole ride smelled of pomelo. I don't think i'll ever forget it. The elephants i rode were retired working elephants...they had a pretty good end of life...couldn't imagine what the working conditions were like before. Makes me sad to think about.

Elephants are so fascinating! I was amazed how strong her trunk was. I bet it was enjoyable to ride them!

I have mixed emotions about humans using animals. On the one hand, it makes a lot of sense to utilize the force of something a lot stronger than a human, but on the other hand I really dislike how humans presume authority over other creatures. Animals are sentient, and I believe it is possible to have a functional relationship with them and work together rather than manipulate, control, and dominate them. Humans are so disconnected from their natural state that it's extremely rare to see such relationships in the modern world, but it has been the way before and I hope will be again before we destroy everything and kill the planet.

That first shot is definitely a once in a lifetime shot! They both have the biggest smile on their face. That's for sure a winner :).

Thank you! I feel so many things looking at it and remembering our time together. It was exciting to meet her!