Every year around September and October we have am amazing phenomenon in Sri Lanka dubbed as the "Gathering of Elephants". This is a gathering of several smaller herds into one large massive herd near the Kaudulla and Minneriya tanks (large man made lakes) in the north west of Sri Lanka. Kaudulla and Minneriya are both well administered National Parks and easy to visit for an evening game drive from the vicinity of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress where there are many nice hotels etc. The area is also very rich in ancient culture and history. I was lucky to be able to go to Kaudulla last year to witness this gathering and at one point while we parked and just watched the herd all around us we counted about 175 elephants. It is so so beautiful....
The large herd emerges from the forest every evening and heads to water ...
A elephant mum and her baby....
Mothers and big sisters can be very protective of the little ones .....
As the sun sets the herd scatters on the open grasslands to feed of the sweet grass ...
Great captures Mohammed. My favorite is the 4th picture. This year (August vacation) I am planning to go to Minneriya. Last time when I visited the Minneriya tank our jeep got stuck near the lake and one wild elephant charged our vehicle. It was quite a nice experience though my wife did not feel it in that way.
Jude
I was wondering when you were to post some pics again, Mohammed. Well, let me tell you, it was worthing the wait. These are really beautiful shots, especially the first one with its warm color tones, and the fourth one with its golden light. Your commentary made the post more interesting.
Socrate
Trubrit wrote:
What a wonderful experience for you, and your pictures are great. I especially like the first sunset picture.
Thanks Sue,
The golden evening light was falling so nicely for that first shot. I had to overtake the herd and get the jeep out in of them to get the angle and the we have to make a quick retreat as well. One of the mummy ellies was not so happy to see us in front!
Jude Perera wrote:
Great captures Mohammed. My favorite is the 4th picture. This year (August vacation) I am planning to go to Minneriya. Last time when I visited the Minneriya tank our jeep got stuck near the lake and one wild elephant charged our vehicle. It was quite a nice experience though my wife did not feel it in that way.
Jude
Thanks Jude.
There is one dangerous female in the herd called "Kanahilla" who is know to charge and has bumped a few vehicles. We too had to make a quick retreat from her.
darkhound wrote:
great pics! I like the 2nd last one the most. I wonder if the elephants got over them themsevles or if people shipped them over... hmm.
Thanks. Could not understand what you meant by "if the elephants got over them themsevles or if people shipped them over"?
My favorite is the 4th picture. This year (August vacation) I am planning to go to Minneriya. Last time when I visited the Minneriya tank our jeep got stuck near the lake and one wild elephant charged our vehicle. It was quite a nice experience though my wife did not feel it in that way. 
