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22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Spa Day

While on safari in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, we encountered a large male elephant enjoying a full afternoon of self-care. We turned off our jeep and just watched this big bull go from tree to tree, termite hill to terminte hill exfoliating every inch of his goliath body. The earth in the area is a wonderful orange. He would draw the orange dust into his trunk then blow it all over himself. His routine lasted over an hour leaving us in awe of his attention to detail.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2021
Date Uploaded: 10.2024
Photo Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Copyright: © Derek Nielsen