Asian Elephant’s Eye Images from Mysore India
Ever imagined how the eye of a huge animal would look like? I was always curious about the small eyes of these huge elephants right from childhood. Often wondering why God made such a small eye for such a huge animal! I mean, there seemed no proportion to me.
Elephant’s Eye Images
I took these Indian elephant’s eye images in Mysore zoo, Karnataka. Actually I zoomed into the elephant’s eye just out of curiosity.
The elephant approached close to fence, may be say 20feet, my heart was beating fast, anytime it could turn and just walk away. I clicked and kept clicking with minor variations in the exposure of the lens. These are what I have.
Downloading the pictures of elephant’s eyes, for the first time I saw the long eyelashes that protect it from sand and debris. Elephant eyes measure 3.8 cm in diameter. Interesting humans have a smaller eye measuring 2.5cm. Eyesight for elephants ranges only 25 ft.
Their small eyes are compensated with their large ears. However the ears prevent them from being able to see much of what’s behind them.
The position and size of the head and neck is a sort of handicap. They have limited peripheral vision and add to that their poor eyesight. Elephants are born blind, their eyesight increases as they grow. In their initial years they depend a lot on their mothers for guidance.
Need I say their nose is too long. They rely more on sense of smell and hearing.
Check my post on Camel’s Eyes in Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer
It is said that the elephant’s vision is quite poor and can see short distances between 10 to 20 meters. Elephants do not have a tear duct and ‘tears’ simply evaporate or run down the cheek. You can see that clearly in the picture.
Can you believe elephants are color blind! They can see blues and yellows, but cannot distinguish between reds and greens.
Elephants use their sense of vision and smell to tell the difference between people who pose a threat and those who do not. Only after taking a few shots I stood gazing at it and admiring it.
Another interesting story in this context is that pictures of elephant’s eye is revered and believed to ward off the evil eye in Gopalapuram mandal headquarters in West Godavari district. Every Friday there is a huge demand for the photo frames of the “elephant eye” at the weekly market. People believe in its effect and display the picture at the entrance of their houses, business establishments and stalls. They worship the elephant that is portrayed in the mythological stories and strongly believe that its eye will protect them from the ‘evil eye’.
Elephant Facts, do read: They are right tusked or left tusked?
Camera Settings:
Canon EOS 450D
Shooting Date/Time 8/15/2008 4:01:52 PM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Focal length 171mm
ISO 1600
Exposure 1/160
F – stop 5.6
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(This post was first written on Aug 19th 2008.)
I wasn’t able to participate in CC. I’ll make it up this week.
Those are great shots. I think elephants are wonderful and majestic animals.
the shots are so neat and detailed.
I used elephants for my submission for this week too! 🙂
My God … that splendid animal. A prodigy of nature.
Absolutely Fabulous! Thanks for sharing such a great photo!
This is really, really cool! The photos are so neat and the facts that you included really top the whole post off!
Incredible shots and interesting facts.
I wonder if their sight is really that poor. Fine pictures.
compelling shot sandy
Hi Indrani, I am on my way to you Skywatch but had to stop when I saw your elephant.
I have a love affair (almost) with them now after reading the book, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
It is about a man who ended up being a vet and caring for the elephant of a small circus.
That poor elephant was at the mercy of the trainers and keepers, it was sad a lot of the time.
Thank you for your pictures and narrative.
..
Wonderful shot. The detail is just incredible!
What amazing shots you were able to get! My heart would have been beating faster and faster too! I never knew that about elephants and their eyes! “They are so wonderful and I think probably one of my favorite animals (large) sized! Great shots! You have a definite talent and gift for taking photos! Well done!!….
just beautiful! wonderful
Wonderful shot. Their eyes make them look so wise…
Beautiful creature! And these are amazing shots 🙂
How beautiful. Looking into their eye is liking looking into their soul.
There really is something about looking into an elephants eyes. I always get the impression of wisdom and understanding.
These are great shots
My critter is here
Gorgeous elephant eye! They’re so tiny, compared to the rest of the animal. I love watching elephants move around and interact. very cool.
Incredible details in elephant’s eye! thanks for the info.
For the Love of Pets
wow!
This is amazing!
The eye is much smaller than I would expect. Those lashes are so long.
I loved this!
I love their eye lashes. Very good pictures.
wow…close up shot 😀
My CC : in here Thanks
Beautiful they are quite amazing.
That is so cool! You can even see the eye lashes! Great shot!
Bonjour !
Chez moi, il y a beaucoup d’animaux, mais pas d’éléphant…
A bientôt.
wow….wonderful pic!!
awesome shot!
Elephants got very good listening power. They can hear voices from miles.
WOW
Master works are known for their details..
great work..
waiting for more..
MIP
Elepants were always an awe for the child in me…But never went up close to see the fine detail of its eyes.
Good work,Indrani.
well done. i would love to see an elephant up close. it is a great shot
My favourite species, Indrani. (S)he must have known your ‘shooting’ tool was no threat at all, and posed for you!
Beautiful and touching. What truly divine eyes. Like Lord Ganesha’s.
For an ordinary shoot-at-sight person like me… it was a visual
treat to see a markswoman looking thro’ the cross-wires and capturing such a beautiful
picture… Hope Bengbeng notices and sends the next award 🙂
Shooting information:
Target – 20 feet away.
hpm – 144 (heart-beats per minute)
result – even the cataract in her eye, is clearly noticeable (phew..!!)
awesome details in the picture..the lines around the eye are so well pronounced ..i must learn photography from you
great detail in the photo… elephants are such magnificent creatures!
Fabulous photograph. The elephant is such an amazing creature.
This is the ultimate! The eye of an elephant, and its lashes so clear too! Wonderful, Indrani!
And to think your heart beat faster not our of fear, but that the elephant might move away. That is dedication.
cool shot!
Looking an elephant right in the eye! what a wonderful photographer you are and a wonderful vision too.
Wow, I took a VERY similar shot at our zoo trip. Elephants are just SUCH amazing creatures! Very cool shot Indrani.
What a fabulous shot! I can’t believe how much detail there is when enlarged. What a beauty. Well done.