Camera: Canon 1 DX

Lens: 400 mm f/2.8

Aperture: f /4.0

Shutter speed: 1/8,000 Sec

ISO: 320

Description: The relationship between the Masai Giraffe mother and her calf is a very close one. When the calf comes close to the mother, there is occasional gentle nuzzling and delicate licking.

Story from behind the lens: Such teder acts serve to strengthen the social bonds beTween the mother and its young one.With a full belly and a doting mother giving it kisses, the contented calf smirks continually. Have been following this mother and calf for a few days and was lucky to see them in open grassland. Using the Land Rover as a hide, I clicked as the mother and baby kissed each other. At that moment a red billed oxpecker flew behind the giraffes as if to show pleasure in the social contact with the two giraffes.