Water Buffalo Family Portrait
by Lexa Harpell
Title
Water Buffalo Family Portrait
Artist
Lexa Harpell
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
Raw and Real Northern Territory Series by Lexa Harpell.
I found this 'family' cooling off in a waterhole in Outback Australia. Water buffalo can be dangerous and will easily ram anything in their sight, (including a car or structure) but I couldn't resist this rare shot with the baby calf.
Carefully approaching by vehicle, I stopped and waited to see what would happen. The mother watched me but didn't move, so I got out of my van and slowly walked towards them to hopefully capture them. The baby swam behind its mother and also watched me.
I have to say, my heart was pounding, and hoped I could outrun the mum if she decided to charge me or my van. Inching forward, I managed to take a few shots, then mum decided I should leave and began groaning, thrashing her head and standing up - a sign for me to make my exit!
.
About 80 head of Water Buffalo were bought into Australia in the early 1800's for meat supply to the remote Top End - Northern Territory. The settlements were abandoned in the mid 1900's and the buffalo let loose.
They bred and colonised near springs and semi permanent swamps. their numbers increased to about 350,000 head.
During the 1980's the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign began and culling dropped dramatically. In 2008 an estimated 150,000 head of feral bufflow roam the Top End.
These guys are heavy and can be dangerous, weighing between 450-1200kgs they will charge you and your vehicle, fencing, even electrical fencing does not keep them in when they want to leave the area.
I found this 'family' in a waterhole, carefully approaching by vehicle, the mother watched me and semi happy for me to take a few quick images, then began thrashing her head and groaning - a sign for me to take my exit!
IMAGE FEATURED IN THE FOLLOWING:
Animal Photographs - 07 July, 2017
FAA Portrait Gallery - 11 July, 2017
All Natural Beauty of This World - 10 August, 2017
Australia in Pictures - 13 August, 2017
KINGDOM Animalia - 13 August, 2017
Uploaded
July 7th, 2017
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Viewed 2,495 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/24/2024 at 6:44 AM
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Comments (72)
Jerry Griffin
absolutely amazing, great courage to take this shot, well done
Lexa Harpell replied:
lol I was a little nervous, but the shot over took the nerves! Thank you ! L:)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #15 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.....L/F/Tw
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