Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana.
Photographer: William Steel, United Kingdom/South Africa. Category: Best Portrait. BRONZE AWARD WINNER.
Photographer’s Story: ‘A Southern White Rhino continues grazing unaware of the bounty on its head, as a Western Cattle Egret searches for insects flushed from the grass. This is a truly commensal relationship. The Rhino is indifferent to the presence of the bird, while the egret benefits from the Rhino’s movement and foraging: it unwittingly disturbs insects concealed in the grass. For me, the image is such an emotive depiction: a juxtaposition between dark and light, hope and uncertainty. While the Cattle Egret takes centre stage the Rhino can be see fading into the background, indicative of the species’ rapid decline.’
Canon EOS 7D MkII with Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens. 562mm focal length; 1/2,000 second; f/6.3; ISO 500. Handheld.
