The Power of the Matriarch

David Lloyd, New Zealand/UK At dusk, in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, I waited for the herd of elephants on their evening trek to a waterhole. As they got closer to our vehicle, I could see that the mellow light from the fast-setting sun was emphasizing every wrinkle and hair. The female leading the dozen-strong herd – probably the matriarch – looked straight at me. Nikon D800E, 400mm f/2.8, 1/500 sec, f/13, ISO1000