Will Burrard-Lucas, a photographer engaged in photographing animals living in the wild had the opportunity to be in the presence of F_MU1, better known as the Queen of Elephants. This amazing experience took place in Tsavo, Kenya near the end of her life.
By then, Will was already in charge of painting elephants in that city.
During his stay and photography in that part of the city, he heard about the so-called Queen of Elephants. It was rumored that she was indeed a magnificent and gentle being.
They searched for her for a long time, and then that moment came.
As he states, he first saw her from behind in a bush. After a few moments she came out of there and the photographer was stunned. She was very helpless, the years had reached her. No matter what, dignity radiated from her. She had incredibly large tusks that touched the ground as she stood on her feet. It is, as the photographer says, like a relic from ancient times.
They hung out constantly that day, she even at one point took them to the place where she was bathing and waited in line for her turn.
These images have a special meaning, each speaks for itself. The greatness of this queen, in the true sense of the word, is seen on every one of her wrinkles or scars. They signify her struggle in this life, the struggle against anything and everything for this long period she has managed to reach.
After Will recorded the wonderful moments of the Queen of Elephants, she failed to last much longer. A couple of weeks later she passed away. This is why these photos have indescribably great meaning and size.
She is on the cover of Will’s book, called Land of Giants. It describes some years of life in the Kenya region of Twaso.
Thanks to Tsavo Trust and Kenyan Wildlife Services for her wonderful and long life who did everything they could to give these powerful animals a beautiful life.
As Will says, this is a special and amazing experience for him. He, as a photographer engaged in photographing exclusively wild animals, cannot believe that it was he who experienced this. It’s not every day that photographers have the opportunity to photograph such magnificent animals that other photographers haven’t photographed. The time they spent with each other, as Burrard Lucas says, was a privilege.
You can read a lot more about all of this on Will Burrard-Lucas’ blog.
In the end, Land of Giants is the result of everything. In that book he mentioned many large and majestic elephants from Tsavo.
For even more information and pictures on everything, visit the website and social networks of photographer Will Burrard-Lucas.