This gerenuk-often nicknamed the "giraffe gazelle" because of its incredibly long neck-thought it had signed up for a simple grooming session. The oxpeckers had other plans.

They started by cleaning around the ears, but before long they were digging deeper and deeper. Judging by his reaction, that wasn't part of the deal.

Eventually, when one bird pushed its luck a little too far, the gerenuk gave them all a good shake. The two on his back got the message and went back to work elsewhere. The third, however, wasn't ready to give up. As you can see here, it made one last determined attempt to get back into the ear-but this time the client wasn't having it.

In the end, the birds admitted defeat and flew off to find another unsuspecting customer.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Taken in Samburu, Kenya, 9/2024.

(Nikon Z9, f 5.6, 1/2500, ISO 2800, 560mm)