Camels are made to survive!  What other animal can go a week with out water??!!?!???!

They are the ships of the desert.  And unlike other animals, each face is unique.  Some are proud, some are mean, some are beautiful, some are friendly, some are ugly... 

They are the most distinctive animal I have ever met. They are everywhere in the U.A.E.  I probably have thousands of photos of camels....and still I want more. They are ungainly, look awkward, have lumps in unusual places, have been known to be down right mean and buck me off...but still I love them.

They have the coolest feet in the world, know how to find the best and easiest way to climb a sand dune, are never lost, and always know how to find their way home.

The females are the most valued.  Female calves are never slaughtered. They are valued for their milk, rather than their meat and have a much more pleasant disposition.  The males are a burden.  They are feisty, ornery, uncooperative, non-reproductive, and a waste of food and water. The male calves are usually slaughtered for food.  Except for the stud male.  And he...because he is so unruly....is owned by a female member of the Bedouin tribe.  It takes a stronger woman to handle a strong male!

I've been lucky to see the birth of a baby camel.  Amazing!!!!  A truly beautiful and spectacular sight.  Stressful too!  Mother camel needs that baby to stand up and start nursing and she paws and stamps on the baby to make it get up!  It's called "tough love".

Photographs in the collection:

On the Move 4816

Soft Kisses 4831

Up with the Birds 4846

Trotting 4931

Staying the Course 4928

Herding Camels 107

White Baby Camel 019

Just Born 036

Speaking Out 055

Humps 115

Patiently Waiting 138

Time Out 180

Stubborn 252

Three Beauties 164

Traveling On 206