TOUCH OF THE WILD

I really enjoy family trips, both short and long ones. Last August, we went on a several-day trip to the Polish mountains, not far from the border with our Czech neighbors. Since my sisters still have young children, we decided to spend one of the days visiting a zoo in the Czech Republic. It was simply a regular day spent with family — a bit of walking, chatting, and, of course, observing animals.

We saw a great number of animals that day, as the zoo is truly enormous. However, I did not come back with hundreds of photographs, because that would have required much more time, and I did not want to slow down our family walk. I would like to invite you to take a look at a few shots from this trip.

Personally I have always had a soft spot for DONKEYS since childhood. Perhaps it was because of the famous Winnie the Pooh stories, where the lovable donkey Eeyore was one of the main characters or perhaps because donkeys have always been my sister's favorite animals.

As it happened at the zoo I had the opportunity to observe a very touching family scene. One of the foals was peacefully drinking milk from its mother, completely ignoring the world around them. Moments like these remind us that, regardless of the species, nature often works in very similar ways. Whether it is an animal or a human, caring for the young, providing a sense of safety and the bond between a mother and her offspring seem to be a universal language.

Popular stereotypes claim that donkeys are stubborn animals, but the truth is quite different. A donkey first analyzes a situation and only then makes a decision. If it decides that something may be dangerous, it simply stops. It is precisely this caution and thoughtful nature that helped donkeys survive in harsh conditions for centuries and ultimately gave rise to the unfair stereotypes that still exist today.

BONTEBOKS were another animals that caught my attention. I must admit that I did not know much about this species before. However, their distinctive white facial markings and elegantly curved horns make them difficult to confuse with any other antelope.

Bonteboks are native to South Africa and were once on the brink of extinction. At the beginning of the 19th century, only a few dozen individuals remained in the wild. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists and local landowners, the species was successfully saved. Today, the bontebok is considered one of the best-known examples of successful wildlife conservation in Africa.

Looking at the herd resting peacefully on the grass, it is hard to believe that the future of these animals was once so uncertain. Their story is a reminder that well-planned conservation efforts can make a real difference and help protect species from disappearing forever.

One of the more interesting birds that I had the opportunity to observe and photograph there was the GREY CROWNED CRANE. It originates from eastern and southern Africa and is protected in many African countries. It is considered one of the most beautiful crane species in the world, and honestly, that does not surprise me at all. Its distinctive golden crown of feathers certainly adds to its elegance and majestic appearance. Unfortunately, the species is currently facing population declines, mainly due to habitat loss and the capture of wild birds.

And one more antelope for today – the NYALA . The nyala is native to Africa and is found mainly in the southeastern part of the continent. These animals inhabit bushlands, forests, and areas near rivers and water sources, wherever they can find shelter from predators.

Interestingly, male and female nyalas look quite different from one another. Females are distinguished by their reddish-brown coats and characteristic white stripes running along the sides of their bodies. Males, on the other hand, are much larger, have darker coloration, and possess impressive spiral-shaped horns. It is quite rare to observe such pronounced differences in appearance between the two sexes within the same species. Unfortunately I only managed to photograph the females of this species.

This is my entry for PhotoFeed Contest - Wildlife Photography Round 171

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