Two Ostriches

Maasai Mara, Kenya · nature

A male and female ostrich walking the open grass — different feathers, same pace. The largest bird in the world, going about its day.

Ostriches don't fit any of the categories you would normally use for birds. They're far too big, they don't fly, and their stride is closer to a horse's than to any other bird. Up close they're almost prehistoric — heavy legs, small head, eyes that seem out of proportion to everything else.

This pair was crossing a piece of short-grass plain at the unhurried pace ostriches use when nothing is threatening them. The male was dark, the female mottled grey-brown — a fairly standard pair. Both kept their attention on the middle distance. I shot a series as they crossed in front of the vehicle, and chose the frame where they were exactly in step. There's something solemn about ostriches walking together. Like they know they've outlasted most of what came before them.

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