This big guy was one of only a few animals outside at the zoo on this chilly winter morning, though he didn’t seem to mind the 27˙F. weather. While I took his picture, he fed himself his breakfast hay swinging his trunk up and down.
I was so amazed at the dexterity of his trunk, I checked out a few facts about elephants on Wikipedia. This is an Asian elephant – only one “finger” around the lip of his trunk. (The African elephant has two.) And what I found most amazing – scientists estimate there are between 40,000 and 100,000 muscles in an elephant’s trunk. The trunk is such a finely tuned instrument, an elephant can as easily pick up a single blade of grass as he can tear down a medium sized tree. Check out the facts about elephants on Wiki and you’ll come away amazed. Guaranteed.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee, WI
March 1, 2008
Great capture Barbara…
R(etc…)
You did a nice job with this one! Lots of character in that face!
Amazing use of lines in this shot! WOW I love it!
Wonderful shot and lesson.
I didn’t know that!
Great shot and lesson!
Thanks – didn’t know the muscle thing!
The nose knows for sure or the trunk with funk. Pretty cool facts. I wonder how far he/she could throw a snow ball.
nice details.
Wonderful detail and texture in this shot.
Elephants are cool.
Great shot of a beautiful animal Barb, nice work
Fabulous!
That’s gorgeous. I love elephants to begin with, but your shot is great. It also got me totally obsessed about the fact that I NEED a better zoom lens. Hey, it’s a blog topic like any other.
Great picture! And, I love the double meaning in the name.
ron ~ thanks, though glad I captured him here and not half way across the world. I get homesick.
montucky ~ old elephant face – lots of character
mon@rch ~ thanks, those lines really came out in the gray
nicole ~ wiki can teach much!
gandalf ~ how far can you throw a snowball? just please, not at me, okay?
jeanne ~ thanks
robin ~ cool, yes, especially in Wisconsin in winter!
bernie ~ thanks, animals are fun to do.
sumedh ~ thanks for commenting
smiler ~ mmm, I know. I obsess about a lot of lenses.
lady ~ glad you liked the title.
I can heave a snowball a good 40 or 50 feet. I can usually hit the ground with it.