Elephants wallowing in mud or water as the sun beats down, make for interesting photography subjects. We were treated to exactly that during one of our safaris in the Yala national park, Sri Lanka. It was an early afternoon and the intense humidity and heat was becoming unbearable even in the shade. As we came upon a waterhole, it was no surprise to see these Elephantswallowing in the water, trying to cool themselves off.

Since the waterhole was shallow, the mother Elephant had to lie down on its belly and move its body from side to side to get the muddy water all over. And the accompanying calf had to go down on the knees to get fully submerged. Once the Elephantshad cooled down considerably, they silently got up and made their way to the comfort of the shadow of the trees lining the waterhole.