Neck and Neck as featured in 2018 Nat Geo Photo Contest Print

After leaving Ngorongoro crater, we spotted a herd of about 25 giraffes up on a hillside. Most of the giraffes I had seen before were busy eating tree leaves, which obscured a clean shot. But this herd was under a clear blue sky. I coaxed our safari driver to go off the main road to get closer even though he was afraid of falling into a warthog burrow. No other safari vehicle was in sight. I directed him to drive around the two male giraffes until the sun was behind our vehicle - and then it happened, two young male giraffes began necking, a behavior known for combative neck-swinging. I was excited to watch this natural behavior but imagine my surprise when they came to rest. "Symmetrical!" | squealed as soon as the shutter clicked.