Solitude

Maasai Mara, 2023

Elephants are often associated with family qualities and hanging around in herds. This is often the case for many elephants on the plains.

But for bulls, they do go through long bouts of being alone.

This loneliness is extended during periods of musth, which the bull was experiencing in the composition of this image.

They tend to avoid other males unless engaging in confrontation or courtship behaviour.

This image reflects a significant aspect of an elephants bulls life and depicts a sense of resilience - the lone bull, storm clouds brooding, entering a period of difficulty. But facing it head on.

A mood of solitude and resilience in the face of natures power - that’s what it speaks to me.