Giraffe shots...do they work?

Even though i was using a lens hood, I didn't know shooting into the sun would produce THAT much flare (is that what it is??)

I'd appreciate some critiques on these pics..

thanks!

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i guess they dont do much??

The second one is a unique view of a giraffe. Nice light and good color. The first one, there's just too much lens flare for me.

that's sunflare, and a hood's not gonna help with flare if your shooting directly into the sun.

i dont mind the first one, its different, i like it

second shot is pretty good.
was this out in the wild?

LOVE the lighting in the second shot.

I really like the first one.

I think the first one would look good in black and white

thanks for the comments! i too loved the lighting in the second, was taken at around 5pm these were taken in nairobi national park....it is the wild, although it is fenced on 3 sides and a corridor left on one side... like most national parks in kenya..