At Rest, a photo from Mara, West

Photographer's Note

I have already posted a couple of images showing the annual wildebeest migrationhere and here. Following approximately the same route about 150,000 zebra also migrate, making their way in a huge circle around the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. January finds them on the Serengeti Plains where they have their young. I was intrigued how many of them adopt this pose; it抯 a very common sight, as they cooperate in pairs to take a rest.

ISO100, FL200mm

EDIT
Thanks to John Black (smiley) another obvious reason for this pose is they can cooperate in watching out for predators

johnfreeman, besnard, snunney, Tue, pasternak, MiguelP, AROBN54, ChrisJ, wishlist, Floydian, vincz, delic, gneufeld, romanaa, Gerrit, bertolucci, bostankorkulugu, Henryk_Bilor, shevchenko, Photo65Net, imrek, sleon, ruisc_pt, Cricri, stego, plimrn, Docarmo, cobbydale, josepmarin, dareco, lukas, bakes888, coco, mortijo, Didi, jaywalker, noborders, JCG, scobert, riclopes, alvaraalto, lasscor, jwmunro, Tobias__Ortmann, Emile has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smiley (613) 2008-03-20 3:27

I am sure it's not only to rest, but to watch their fellow zebra's backs. Well composed.

Lucky Shot

[2] +

daddo (28748) 2008-03-20 3:33

Hi Kath. With such patterns, how can one go wrong. The fact that you have a compact group makes the whole composition richer, and as smiley says,there is an alertness here in this resting as they watch each other's back. Great clarity and light management.Regards. Klaudio.

ktanska (45030) 2008-03-20 3:34

Hi Kath,
A good tight composition of this small group of zebras. Never seen such arrangement myself but it reminds of explanation of zebras's stripes I've read: It's not exactly a camouflage on open savannah, but for predators it makes more difficult to pick one individual prey within a big herd.
Kari

johnfreeman (2274) 2008-03-20 3:35

Hi Kath,
This does look like a remarkably efficient way of taking a rest while keeping a look-out! I love the almost abstract composition created by the zebras' stripes and their symmetric poses.
Very nice work.
John

serp2000 (47063) 2008-03-20 3:39

Privet, Kath,
Excellent shot!Well done!Good idea and realization! TFS!

Greetings from West Ural,
Serghei

Paolo (41258) 2008-03-20 3:44

Hi Kath, amazing view, with this group of zebras!
xcellent qulaity, and amazing tones too.
thanks, ciao

besnard (59196) 2008-03-20 3:49

Bonjour Kath
Un beau moment de tendresse bien captur�. Toutes ces rayures sont du plus bel effet.
Merci pour le pargtage et bonne journ閑.
Nicole

snunney (130967) 2008-03-20 3:51

Hello Kath,
A charming capture of this little group of zebras; very graceful creatures I always think. I like the tight framing whilst the colours and clarity are both excellent.

jemaflor (148124) 2008-03-20 4:45

Hi Kath,
Nice view with an interesting attitude of these zebras, good result the composition is top. Perfect sharpness.

amaryllis (37047) 2008-03-20 5:11

bonjour,
de nouveau c'est moi qui est interpell� par cet assemblage de z鑒res, leurs tetes se reposant sur l'un ou l'autre, un beau moment que tu as bien capt�
c'est superbe
juliette

carper (96) 2008-03-20 5:11

a fantastic one here Kath,
great composition of this wild zebra's, I must say I like the good wild shot's and I love your portrait from the mother and child, very good photojob, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

PaulVDV (63440) 2008-03-20 5:14

Hello Kath,
Great composition thanks to the stripes of the zebras. Very sharp. Well done, Paul

trekks (14348) 2008-03-20 5:24

hi Kath

Good title for this nicely composed shot of great moment. Nice color contrast.

TFS, bill

Tue (93328) 2008-03-20 5:30

Hi Kath,
Very good capture of those zebras who seem to hug each other. It looks funny and it's very clever that they both can rest and watch out in this way. Great photo, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

pasternak (15185) 2008-03-20 5:30

Fantastic one, Kath, if I would see it in National Geographic I wouldn't be surprised... excellent graphic arrangement, and of course nice to know there's a evolutionary explanation to this...

Cheers
Alexander

MiguelP (14470) 2008-03-20 6:04

Hi KAth, this photos are bringing me such a great memories to my own travel to Tanzania. It磗 great how they cooperate, and beside, it磗 great to learn through photography. Nice light also. Take care.

AROBN54 (11475) 2008-03-20 6:51

Hello, Kath,
this is such a charming shot. Not only because of the poses, but the visuals of all the stripes going different directions. The light and contrast is perfect and the color is wonderful. Very well done!! Many thanks and warmest wishes,
Shelly

ChrisJ (172378) 2008-03-20 7:38

Hi Kath

'Good graphism', would be an understatement here, with all the b&w, of the zebras. Superb sharpness & framing. Tfs!

wishlist (4133) 2008-03-20 8:31

Hello Kath,
great quality for this great shot, very well presented and composed. I wouldn't be too surprised to see it in a magazine..great job indeed!
Thanks for sharing.
Regards,

Igor

pablominto (53746) 2008-03-20 8:34

Hello Kath,
They are so photogenic, with the stripes they always look good!
Doesn't harm to appear in a well composed image neither...
DOF spot on and fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Floydian (30970) 2008-03-20 8:36

Hello Kath,
My world famous countryman and maybe the best nature photographer on earth (Frans Lanting) made a few years ago pictures of Zebra's and although there was great action and movement in those images, i see here the same composition lines and a perfect play with the black and white strokes all through the image. We have to look very good which line belongs to which Zebra, that effect is something i like a lot, makes it more than just a standard animal snapshot...very good work.
Kind regards, Henk

[3]

rodgerg (55767) 2008-03-20 8:49

Hello Kath,

Il like this compact group of zebras. Still an excelent photo with superb composition and excellent technique. Congratulations,

Good evening,
Roger

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2008-03-20 9:15

Hi, Kath -

Zebras are fun, aren't they? I've got endless shots of them, but I don't think I've ever seen them resting their heads on each other's backs quite like this. Nice catch!

Best,
Dan

vincz (19113) 2008-03-20 9:15

Very nice geometrical effects, you caught this wonderfully. What a great way to take a rest in community. A great one.

Dyerco (10185) 2008-03-20 9:35

Oh Kath what a tremendous shot. The clarity and sharpness are superb. I wonder what this would look like in B&W? Well done.
TFS
Phil

delic (6735) 2008-03-20 9:49

Hi Kath,
I'm truly enjoying your pictures from Serengeti although I'm having a hard a time keeping up with TE these days. The whole migration series, together with the notes, has been very instructive. This tight shot of the zebras in defensive pose is no exception. Excellent photograph. Regards,
Hakan

Waylim (25436) 2008-03-20 10:05

Kath,
Great shot with great sharpness and detail of the stripes. Wonderful composition with such a unique position. Those zebras are a lot of fun to watch. They do many things that amazed me. Sometimes they look like they are talking and laughing with each other. Very well done Kath.
Way

markstaples (15670) 2008-03-20 10:23

Another strong wildlife shot, again so sharp and well framed. Have never seen this kind of behaviour before. Very interesting.
Best wishes and have a good Easter
Mark

crckt (7222) 2008-03-20 12:22

Hi kath,
Yes, I do think it is plausible that they look out for predators this way. Fascinating repeat of black and white here. Just amazing symmetry. Nicely done.
regards,
Shaeri

romanaa (8430) 2008-03-20 13:20

Hello Kath,
this is absolutely wonderful moment, they look like dancing, it is so lovely. The colours of the grass are natural and soft and give good contrast to black and white stripes.
Bravo
Best regards
Romana

gneufeld (15890) 2008-03-20 13:20

Hi Kath,
Wow, another amazing wildlife image - talk about stripes...You did a great job captured these interesting creatures - the composition is very good in excellent light and well managed colors. Very well done and TFs. Gerald

gilou530 (34) 2008-03-20 13:52

salut kath
une belle vue pleine de tendresse de ces z閎res qui se fondent bien dans ce fond de steppe, beau travail
amiti閟
gilbert

Gerrit (62042) 2008-03-20 14:52

Hi Kath,
another beautiful wildlife picture. These zebra's form a graphical very interesting formation.
Regards< Gerrit

danyy (0) 2008-03-20 15:40

Bonjour Kath,
belle alternace de photos animali鑢es et de portraits.
La profondeur dse champs focalise bien notre attentions sur la partie nette qui du coup semble avoir du relief.
Les z鑒res sont des animaux qui peuvent 阾re farouches.
Je l'ai v閏u.

Regards.
Daniel.

bertolucci (14052) 2008-03-20 16:01

Wow Kath, it's seems like they're aware of the graphic prowess of their appearance and try to impress the photographer ;-) And a very well framed and organic study in lines and textures ensued. Delightful work!
Best wishes from Rotterdam,
Bert

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2008-03-20 17:13

i cant look at them too long, i get dizzy somehow... very lovely shot kath, not an "unseen" compo but very well composed and executed... adorable group, lucy you to see them live...

korkut

LUISCOSTA (142) 2008-03-20 17:50

Hello Kath!

This is a captivating composition! with a definition it does his utmost how luminusidade and framing ... the complicity of the zebras is noticed.

REGARDS

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2008-03-21 0:22

Hi Kath
Nice capture of these animals. Good light, quality, sweet scene.
Have a nice day.

shevchenko (20560) 2008-03-21 0:35

Hi Kath,
Distinct image and very strong color of their body lines, good clouse up without disturb their life, good shoot.
Ally

Photo65Net (43144) 2008-03-21 1:26

Kath,
Again great nature catch !
Zebras are full of graphics animals, and I liek how you played with their lines... Very good one !
Regards,
JB.

Chanizard (129) 2008-03-21 1:51

Hi Kath ..
Nice Shoot
Nice view and angle show us a side of Zebra attitude . Color and contrast are quite good .
With regards
Mohammed

imrek (4) 2008-03-21 3:54

HI Kath,
well seen, i like how they looking around... good image quality and composition...good one!
regards,
imre

sleon (9402) 2008-03-21 5:20

Hi Kath
I just love the graphic effect of the zebra stripes, and this is a really wonderful composition with the animals interacting with one another. An excellent shot, really well framed.
Regards, Susanna

delkoo (68) 2008-03-21 5:40

hi kath
You have taken advantage of the position of the zebras to achieved this fantastic photo.
great one
didier

Stepan (27210) 2008-03-21 5:53

A lovely sweet scene with beautiful animals... The strong contrasts are perfect here to enjoy the moment.
St閜hane

Graal (103040) 2008-03-21 6:48

Hi Kath,
very nice two couple zebras, good shot. I like the pose of animals. Fine DOF and colours. Great serie.
Gr., Aleksander

ruisc_pt (11594) 2008-03-21 8:55

Hi Kath

The zebra crossing was first used (after some isolated experiments) at 1000 sites in the UK in 1949 (the original form being alternating strips of blue and yellow), and a 1951 measure introduced them into law.

In 1971, the Green Cross Code was introduced to teach children safer crossing habits (replacing an earlier "kerb drill").

In the United Kingdom the crossing is marked with Belisha beacons on each side of the road. The beacon is a black and white pole topped by a flashing amber globe.

The crossings were originally marked by beacons and parallel rows of studs, but the stripes were soon added for the sake of visibility.
Well I was kiding in a serious way...
Your exposure is really great. I mean...
GREAT
tfs KATH

Cricri (176) 2008-03-21 10:06

Hi Kath,
Quel merveilleux moment que d'assister a cette sc閚e pleine de tendresse, c'est surement un voyage qui laisse de beaux souvenir...
un cadrage s閞r� pour etre plus en contact avec eux, tr閟 jolie
Bonne soir閑 et beau weekend de P鈗ues
cricri

Philippe (11836) 2008-03-21 14:19

Hi, Kath. The zebras are really amazing animals. Their coat has something that makes them unique. Here they are seen in their natural habitat, where they stand out very well. Their position is very interesting, just as the explanation about it.

stego (24132) 2008-03-21 14:38

Hi Kath,
Wow! Stunning!... And so clear and sharp! I have no words...
Bravo!
Regards, Jos�.

plimrn (21344) 2008-03-21 16:32

Hi Kath,
Another magical shot; this tight defensive posture creates a very attractive and unique composition, Great DOF gives you sharp detail against the soft grass. It is amazing how much more healthy and sleek these wild beasts seem than any I've seen in the zoo.
HLJ, Pat

Docarmo (9767) 2008-03-21 22:47

Hi Kath,
Very interesting post, I like the focus on the zebra with the background blurred. If predators can see stripes, this position may be strategical to confound them. But the reason suggested by John Black is the best one, I think.
Thanks for sharing,
MCV
P.S.: in a farm not far from here, there are two horses (without stripes, of course) often next to the road where I am on my way, in a similar position, and I was intrigued. Now I know why.

cobbydale (1958) 2008-03-22 3:18

Excellent shot Kath. Great sharpness. Just noticed johnfreeman has stolen my words - I was going to say the same thing about the way the zebras have positioned themselves. Great work.
cheers
Leon

josepmarin (59385) 2008-03-22 5:22

Hello Kath,
Excellent capture of this survival scene in the plains of the Serengeti, in which the zebras are placed in this position to watch out for predators. It is a very intelligent position.
I like the graphical strength of the stripes of its skin, in a good contrast with the soft tones that surround the zebras.
A beautiful photo, very well realized and with a high image quality.
Happy Easter for you and for yours, my friend.
Josep

dareco (17136) 2008-03-22 6:36

This is an amazing capture, it looks like a mirror image. Very beautiful sharp color! TFS and Happy Easter.

ysabaner (1069) 2008-03-22 14:17

Hello,
Very interesting, very good pic. Colors and sharpness wonderful. Well done.
Yahya

meltemi (0) 2008-03-23 0:06

Hello Kath,
it is very rare and sweet, with a hint of artistic/advertising value to it. You are very lucky to get this rare capture of the zebras in this relaxing pose. Wonderful light and clarity, your photo is really impressive. Thank you for the note also.
Have a happy Easter.
Regards.
Stella

bakes888 (18499) 2008-03-23 1:26

Hi Kath. They抮e not at all silly, very clever in fact. Wonderful photo. Good symmetry and pattern. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Easter, Paul.

guillaumejm (0) 2008-03-23 3:45

hello kath,
Nice picture and strange pose for theses zebra.
Kind regards
JMarc

batalay (41261) 2008-03-23 20:09

Hello Kath,

This superb huddle by the four zebra remind me of the remarkable image of a stampeding herd of zebra. Mimicry appears to have gone amiss. The bold black and white stripes make the zebra as inconspicuous as a lavender hippopotamus or, worst still, a zebra. A herd of agitated zebras melds into a vast terrifying monolith, generating clouds of dust and galloping thunder, the individual animals virtually indistinguishable in the maelstrom, thereby confusing predators. You've brought back a treasure trove of wild life images from the Serengeti. I wonder if pairs huddle in the manner they do in order watch each other's backs.

Warm regards,

Bulent

coco (30439) 2008-03-23 23:17

Hi Kath.

Well done with this composition.
Again this is a fantastic shot about these wild animal.

The scene is marveolous.

Regards.

mortijo (12828) 2008-03-24 4:12

Hello Kath
Excellent shot of these zebras. Great colors and sharpness. My mother used to tell me that a zebra was a horse with its pyjamas on and it took some time before I discovered the truth about these animals.
Regards
John

Didi (61589) 2008-03-24 4:41

Hi Kath
This is my favorite picture of your journey.
Very good composition who gives a strange effect in my eyes.
It was a very interesting decisive moment.
Happy Easter.

jaywalker (16105) 2008-03-24 12:08

Hi Kath, I have started posting again & reposted one that was taken off, I dedicated it to you as you were so kind in your email, this is a very beautiful photo of these zebras, they look so content, this is a beautiful nature shot, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

noborders (1010) 2008-03-26 2:52

Hi Kath,

Zebras are very photogenic anyway, but you managed to get them posing for you in the best possible way, such a tender and symetrical gesture !

Congratulation, it's absolutely splendid !
Best regards,
Cath.

JCG (35153) 2008-03-26 7:36

Hi Kath,

A pretty moment taken in photograph. Beautiful visual effect which offers to us these four zebras in period of rest. I like much qualities of the image and the grass of savanna is a very good background. Pleasant moment of tenderness, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a good end-of-day,

Jean-Charles

Angshu (56760) 2008-03-26 23:19

Hello Kath
Well done with this shot, because you got the natural poses (of watching 'each other's back') of this quartet. At 200 mm zoom the clarity is superb & their colours stand out as usual against the grass. Well done!
Regards
Angshu

scobert (5355) 2008-03-27 14:07

Hi Kath,
I was wondering how you caught the zebras in such a great pose and your notes expalined it. Of course, this is how they look out for predators and for their young (I don't blame them!). This is one of the finest photographs of zebras that I have ever seen and congratulations for this world-class African safari wildlife portrait of yours!
Stan

keribar (43841) 2008-03-27 22:42

Hello Kath,
Many years ago I also took picture on a safari, and I know how easy it is to get pictures but how difficult it is to get "GOOD" pictures. This is just one of them ! One in a hundred is a good guess.

I wish you an excellent week-end - Izzet

riclopes (35577) 2008-03-28 3:27

Ol� Kath, I have a very similar picture to this one, so I guess that it's pretty common as you say in the note. I remember well my guide explaining what John Black mentioned. The fact is that the set is funny and very attractive to photography, specially because of the interplay of all the stripes. Anyway, I really like the result here.
ric

alvaraalto (42804) 2008-03-29 14:33

Hi Kath,

These horses with their Black&White striped pajama抯 are always so photogenic!
And here they have found a special lovely position for the distinguished photographer.

Groet Rob

lasscor (7640) 2008-03-30 7:19

Hi Kath,
Lovely zebra composition.
Great animals postures.
TFS,
Corinne

Tobias__Ortmann (2638) 2008-03-31 6:38

Hi kath
very good shot I also have a shot like this from zebras I really like the colours and the contrast
where have you been in tanzania during your trip=?
tfs and best regards Toba

mark_mk (266) 2008-03-31 7:53

Hi Kath,
wonderful shot of an amazing country. I have seen some shots of Tanzania and I was totally impressed of this breathtaking country. And your picture is absolutely wonderful, nice colors and sharpness and a great moment you captured here. Wonderful shot, many thanks for sharing!

Greetings
Mark

jwmunro (286) 2008-03-31 15:53

Hello Kath -

That is a very interesting observation. This is a well conceived composition and it is also well executed. Good job!

Thank you for sharing.

John

Emile (20352) 2008-04-16 10:22

Hola Kath.
Resting and watching in case that a predator is around, very well captured with very good colors tones and sharpness, good frame and POV.
Well done. TFS.
Cheers.

faubry (35447) 2008-05-02 1:22

WONDERFUL photo......i liek how their heads are... great photo for me..
francine