Honorable Mention / 2024 / Nature / Wildlife

• Photographer
  Eric D'Dio, United States

An elephant family marches across a dry lake in pursuit of food & water. Dust devils spiral & sweep over the terrain adding drama to the dreary landscape. A scorching sun beats down on the heavily textured grey bodies. Tusks gleam a bright white, juxtapose to the varying tones of grey rippling across the moving wall of slate. As my camera captures the majesty of the herd flowing past, the matriarch stops meters from where I lay vulnerable on the ground. She's determining if I pose a threat. Kicking up dust with a heavily padded foot, lets us know she's aware, emits a deep rumble & they move on