Isabella,  Group,  Norman,  Noogent

Giraffella samples the most tender twigs …

January 30, 2009 /
Iz chewing frozen branch
… on the Bellbrook Game Reserve.

Iz chewing frozen branch
Branches too far out of reach they move on to better grazing.
dogs chewing frozen branches
A group of foraging giraffes adds a calm majesty to the landscape that these animals have so long inhabited.
The adults pause and regard me nonchalantly before going back to their browsing.
dogs chewing frozen branches
I watch the statuesque animals galumph forward in the snow.
dogs chewing frozen branches
They are affectionate …
dogs chewing frozen branches
… nibbling on the tough trees that spring from the earth
so closely that their flanks touch.
dogs chewing frozen branches
Intertwining necks, they seem in constant physical contact …
dogs chewing frozen branches
… and then I am struck …dogs chewing frozen branches
… by how much they seem to enjoy …dogs chewing frozen branches
… each other’s presence.Iz chewing frozen branch
Wild Giraffella needs a lot of trees.Iz chewing frozen branch
They live up to 12-15 years and eat from 3 to 15 pounds of twigs per day.