Giraffe drinking

A giraffe is extremely vulnerable when it drinks. If it were attacked by lions, it would take several moments for it to get upright and defend itself by running or kicking the attackers. In those few seconds, it could be mortally wounded. That’s why no matter how thirsty it may be, a giraffe will stand by water for at least 30 minutes smelling the air and listening for possible danger. When satisfied it’s safe, it will finally spread its legs wide enough to lower its long neck and head to the water. I photographed this scene in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya with a Canon 500mm f/4 telephoto, and the settings were 1/1000, f/8, and 500 ISO.