This old guy had just been for a bath and even the tick birds on his back seemed relaxed… Oh to be able to wallow in mud and not be chided by your mother or wife…
Now that looks like a good facial treatment….
Is this what they call a sh…t, shave and a shampoo..?
Definitely a full facial treatment…
The ox pecker seems to be checking if the facial was done correctly….
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Love the contrast between the tiny birds and the huge rhino.
Thanks Mrs P. they seem his constant companions…
I love the birds keeping him company during his spa time. Bet they are jealous somehow. 🙂 Great shots and commentary, Bulldog!
Thanks Skye… I’m worrying about you… somehow you don’t seem yourself… sending big Prayers your way….
❤ Said it before…I will say it again…You are the best, and truly my WP angel. 🙂
I aways find the birds on their backs fascinating.
They are almost permanent residents of these animals…
I just love your commentary Bulldog. I had to Google oxpecker to see if that was your terminology or the bird’s real name (lol). 🙂
Thanks LuAnn…. I wish I could come up with names like that… for that matter I’ve never seen one of these on an ox, only wild animals … so I wonder where they got the name from.??..
Hmm…Google here I come! 🙂
That last photos is just amazing! I love it. The ox pecker seems to be posing!
Thanks Debra… I wonder if the Rhino ever goes squint trying to see what is sitting on his horn.??? lol
Fantastic pics with those comments, Love it when you do that!
Thanks Ute…
I’m sure your wife won’t mind if you wallow in the mud!
Not in my clothes … maybe in the nude yes…. lol
The humorous text is as good as the pics! Then again, cheers to you having a good lens to shorten the distance because I know you prefer to keep your distance from these guys.
This one was close Frank no more than 5 metres… 15 ft… quite docile though…
WOW! …. the mud bath must be have extra soothing.
MOL 😀 What a beautiful animal and ditto pictures. I like it when the birds hitchhiking on animals… they never do that on my back 😉 Pawkisses for a jpyful day 🙂
Thank you… yep the ever present ox peckers, keeping the old guy clean of ticks…
Cool shots Rob!
Thanks
LOL – That was me just over a week ago. Remember?
I do remember… you could join this guy next time…
Hmmm…maybe… 🙂
I think it’s so funny to see the little birds perched on the back of big animals. Obviously the big animals don’t see to mind … there must be some benefit to them being there.
They are known as ox peckers and eat parasites off the rhino… mainly ticks and the like…
Cool images, my friend. And the birds, well, it looks like they get a free ride. And who said there was none? Ha!
Yep they get to sit around on his back the only rent they must pay is eat the ticks…
Great series.
I naturally assume these were made with a long telephoto lens. I hope you weren’t really this close.
We were close… but he was docile and resting up… seemed little concerned about us… wasn’t my vehicle so if he had decided to add a bump or two it would not have been for my pocket… it is a white rhino and they don’t normally charge… if it was a black rhino I can assure you I would have been using all 720 mm of my lens and then a lot of cropping as well…. lol
wow he is impressive. You totally crack me up with your wit in your comments – put a smile on my face to start the day. Agree with everyone above – I envy you being able to see all these magnificent animals. Love it.
Thanks Jan… we sometimes forget how privileged we are…
Oh to have such subjects to photograph…but I think I’d skip over the private bits to photo 😉
Those private parts can be extremely educational as well… like the hippo that spreads his with his tail as a warning to others of his territory…
Ummmmm TMI!!!! TMI!!!! lol
Haha! I just can’t get over that you get to see these magnificent creatures to close, in the wild…amazing 🙂
Thanks Sherri … we are privileged and often forget that fact…
Great photos bulldog! Every time I see close ups of such big animals, I find myself hoping you have a really good zoom lens and that you’re not putting yourself in danger!
Diana xo
No danger from this one… quite at ease and yes we got up close … about 5 metres… but it is the white rhino a lot more docile than the black… if that was a black I would be using every mm of my 720 and then still cropping…
haha ok good to know!
Love these photos…especially the tail.
Nicely curled isn’t it…
these are great…unfortunately when we went on safari, we did not see any rhino…you certainly have captured him beautifully!
Thanks Gail… some (like this one) can be gentle giants… others need more room… pity you never got to see this guy when on safari… quite a sight to see…
Amazing pics here bulldog, how lucky you are to have such wildlife around you. – Envy!!! 😀
Thanks Amanda…
Great pics!
Thanks Anneli…
Does look like a wonderful nap after a bath. What a great life.
Thanks Charlie..
He’s a big lad who looks like he’s been around the block a few times. Amazing that you can see these animals on a daily basis.
Yep … this is one of those older guys that has escaped the poachers gun so far…
Love it! The birds on his back are just so typical. Great shots Bulldog! 🙂
So true ,, thanks Jewels…
I love the birds on his back!
Thanks Laura… they are his tick attendants…
Lol
Wonderful shots. I bet it doesn’t even notice the birds on it’s back through that thick skin of his. You seem to be awfully close. I hope you’re using a telephoto lens. 🙂
This one was close but very relaxed… just resting away the day… it is the white rhino not known as aggressive as the black… quite docile actually… thank you Maralee…