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Hippopotamus Childs


Hippopotamus Childs
Photo Information
Copyright: Achim Fried (John_F_Kennedy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1158 W: 4 N: 893] (10293)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-28
Categories: Humorous, Nature
Camera: Canon 40D
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: 2008/09 South of Africa
Theme(s): My Virtual Travel to 99 countries [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-13 8:13
Viewed: 498
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), often shortened to "hippo", is a large, mostly plant-eating African mammal, one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other being the Pygmy Hippopotamus). It is the heaviest extant artiodactyl, though quite a bit shorter than the Giraffe.

The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa in groups of 5-30 hippos. During the day they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippos rest near each other in territories in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.

Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, porpoise, etc.). The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even-toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago.

The hippopotamus is recognizable for its barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. It is the 3rd largest land mammal by weight (1.5-2 tons), behind the White Rhinoceros (3-4 tons) and Elephant (4-5.5 tons). Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 30 mph (48 km/h) while running short distances, faster than an Olympic sprinter. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive animals in the world, and is often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Africa. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos remaining throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, of which Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000-30,000) have the largest populations. They are still threatened by poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth, and by habitat loss. (from Wikipdeia)
billy-m, Mitra, MYLZ, tnahari, neusser0204, chrisJ, trekks, lilimih33, mikolaj_cava, bucanas, joanamag, andrzej has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Achim,
this is very good photo.They look so cute :))
Great light,and specially great caught moment :))
warm regards
biljana

Good timing to catch this duo on the move. I like how the water is splashing up around the legs of the larger hippo and how they both seem to have something playful on their minds:) Excellent shot!

  • Great 
  • Mitra Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1254 W: 75 N: 902] (7908)
  • [2009-01-13 9:10]

Great composition, light & good timing. They look so cute & calm. Well done.
Mitra

  • Great 
  • MYLZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 78 W: 7 N: 43] (622)
  • [2009-01-13 9:16]

You have a long range lens..
Good timing captured.
Nice movement of this two creature.
TFS...JFK

MYLZ

Hi Achim
perfect clarity.
good timing in catching a unique scene.
a splendid presentation.
tfs
tsilla

Hello Achim,
Lovely exposure - the detail is excellent. Well seen and captured.
Best regards Siegfried

  •      
  • pozaru Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3556 W: 737 N: 2394] (19026)
  • [2009-01-13 23:14]

hehehe, what a lovely couple !


thanks,
v

Halo Achim
Das sind aber hypo kinder und die sehen nur niedlich aus aber in wahrheit sind echt gefalich!!!!!!
Ein "Hypo" bild
Bratislav

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4229 W: 414 N: 6657] (42097)
  • [2009-01-14 0:38]

Hi Achim

Good symmetry between the 2 Hippopotami, with excellent sharpness. I do hope you used a telephoto lens. Every year, these animals kill more people than crocodiles.

  • Great 
  • trekks Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2016 W: 144 N: 3393] (13597)
  • [2009-01-14 1:27]

hi Achim

Very interesting to see such young hippos at play by the water edge, and such a darker skin tone! Perhaps the light is bringing the best of the tone here but I find you have captured the 'children' with a good sharp focus.

tfs, bill

  • Great 
  • nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 0 N: 2502] (20416)
  • [2009-01-14 2:09]

Hello,

mangigique ce deux Hypo, avec de très douces couleur, il fait des vague en rotant de l'eau, génial l'effet, très belle image de ces merveilleux animaux.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

Hello Achim!
Very nice capture of the baby Hippopotamus!
Beautiful light!
Lovely momment!
Best regards!
Lili

Hello Achim! Amazing children! Wonderful scene. Nice light and bright, good colours. Very good shot. Funny picture. Good luck!

Hello Achim!

Great composition, contrast, color and definition are simply superb,

TFS - Congratulations!
Kostas

  • Great 
  • Fons Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1299 W: 2 N: 202] (15594)
  • [2009-01-14 3:46]

happy man this way are possible foto' s make!
sie sind ein glücliger Mens zo
Bilder zu machen ?

Hi Achim,
Good capture,bautiful Hippopotamus.
Best regards,
Ralf

Hi Achim
Kute hippos.
Excellent shot,pefect timing,great lighting and details.
TFS
Regards
Andrzej

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 592 W: 0 N: 957] (4596)
  • [2009-02-08 5:28]

Hi Achim,
a nice and lovely shot of naturein its splendid action. The motherly and its naughty child is well presented. Could feel the beauty of love and motherly care.
Well composed of sharp and clear subjects.

regards,
Foozi

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