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Gelada youngster


Gelada youngster
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2384 W: 94 N: 5493] (17500)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-03
Categories: Mammals
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite African animal photos 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-04-04 7:21
Viewed: 779
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus galada) is not in fact peculiar to the Semyen as is the exclusive Walia Ibex, but they are more numerous here than in their other habitats. Some live at Debre Sina not far from Addis Ababa and others at Debre Libanos on the way to the Blue Nile; there are also small populations in the Mulu and Bole Valley gorges. But in the Semyen there may be as many as 20,000, and troops of 400 together may be seen. They do not molest humans and, more surprisingly, the local people do not molest them. Thus they are very tame and will allow humans to approach quite close to the troop before moving nearer to the cliff edge.

The Gelada was discovered in 1835 by the explorer Ruppell, who named it by the local name used by the inhabitants of Gonder region where he first observed it. They are not difficult to study as they are very tame, however, little interest was shown in them until recently, when Patsy and Robin Dunbar made an exhaustive study of their social behaviour. The social behaviour of the apes and monkeys is evidence of a very high degree of intelligence and studies of their rudimentary social structures are proving of considerable value in analysing the origins of human social behaviour.

Geladas live along the edges and steep slopes of precipices. They never move far from the rim and thus their distribution is linear along the escarpment. At night they climb down the steep cliff faces to caves where they roost on ledges, often huddled close together for warmth as Semyen nights are frosty and bitterly cold. Babies cling tight to their mothers even in sleep. In the morning in the warm sun they climb up again to the top of the cliff and spread out to feed. Geladas are mainly vegetarian, living on herbs, grasses and roots, but they also eat insects and locusts. They never eat meat, or hunt or kill even small birds or mammals. As a result of this restricted diet they are obliged to spend a very high percentage of their lives foraging and browsing in order to obtain sufficient nutrients to survive. This may explain why they are so extremely peaceable by nature, with very little squabbling even amongst themselves.

They have no natural enemies (except of course, Man, who takes a fair toll with his rifle. The great mane of the adult male is used for traditional headdresses by highland warriors).

Apart from feeding, "grooming" is their other main pastime. This entails simply picking through each other's fur. This is not only a friendly and peaceful occupation, but it serves also to establish bonds between various members of a 'harem' and to cement the accepted relationships in the hierachy, between male and female, older and younger members.

The long narrow plateaus of the Semyen slope up- wards from the south until they end in the dizzying precipices of the northern escarpment. This is the haunt of the Walia, and the Gelada do not frequent these vertical cliffs, but the rims of the stupendous gorges and ravines which bisect the plateau. The troops tend to graze the higher moorlands, amongst everlastings, giant lobelias and alchemilla-tussock grass. Never far from the rim, which is their refuge when danger threatens, they disappear over the edge on to the grassy slopes and ledges of the gorge sides. Their grazing ranks are so arranged that the males are always farthest from the edge and thus it is "women and children first" when they have occasion to flee to safety.

Source: Selamta.net
CeltickRanger, eqshannon, Luis52, siggi, boreocypriensis, albert, jaycee, maurydv, Noisette, Gert-Paassen has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Peter,
This is an awesome shot ! Congrats!!
and thanks for sharing.

hello Peter

beautiful photo of this Gelada youngster, fine POV,
excellent sharpness and details, and a lovely curious
glance of the Gelada youngster on you, TFS

Asbed

The eyes of the young one surely make this a superior image Peter...It is appealing..and in theory could be used in areas of concern which are asking for donations to help save wildlife..VERY neat!
Bob

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-04-04 8:27]

Hi Peter. A cute little fellow and its looking at you. You have taken it with such detail in the large eyes . Good use of the light on the long soft looking fur. one more fine picture ffrom your African trip. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 645 W: 15 N: 1577] (6149)
  • [2009-04-04 8:41]

Hello Peter
Nice shot with nice moment. Well done.
regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-04-04 10:20]

Hola Peter.
What a lovely scene. Just great. Love it.
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1370 W: 56 N: 4704] (16174)
  • [2009-04-04 11:26]

Hello Peter,
Excellent photo, very good details, the expression on the eyes of the Gelada baboon baby is superb.
Best regards Siggi

hallo Peter
wat een beauty
wat een leuke foto met goed oogkontakt
super details en scherpte
groetjes lou

Hi Peter, a lovely and perfect capture in all around. i love the glance of the baby so much.
TFS and have a great sunday!
Cheers,
Bayram

Hi Peter,
A nice capture of this beautiful young gelada baboon attached to its mother. Sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Peter,
The framing is a bit tight and I would have included in the photo a bigger part of the mother's head, but the expression of this little guy is stunning
Well done
Albert

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-04-05 9:38]

Hi Peter,

These Geldas remind me so much of the Gibralter monkeys! I don't think there is a relationship though. I love the way this baby is looking at you with his big eyes. The details of his face are wonderful. It's so nice to see the love between parent and child. You captured the emotions perfectly.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Marx44 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 174 W: 95 N: 599] (2124)
  • [2009-04-05 10:32]

Hi Peter
Wonderful expression!
Great eye contact and wonderful light.
TFS

Marx

Hello Peter,
a wonderful picture of Gelada youngster, you have captured a lovenly and touching scene with a perfect focus and light in the large and intense eyes, very well done.
TFS
Bestr regards
Maurizio

Ciao Peter, lovely family portrait with splendid details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-04-05 14:49]

Hi Peter,how is tender this pic!And what a great quality,you manage very well the eyes of little baboon,they talk alone....my best compliments,have a nice week,Luciano

Hi Peter !
Nice catch.
I like warm colors and beautiful.
Have a good day,
Chrissty

Nice shot with nice moment. Well done.

Hello Peter
a lovely shot of this gelada baby in the arms of his mom
great colors and sharp details on the fur
The baby have a strange look but i like the tender moment
very wel done
Jacqueline

Hallo Peter,

mooi portret van dit jong bij moeder aan de buik.
Prima pov an prachtige natuurlijke kleuren.

Gert

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