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My Broken Tail


My Broken Tail
Photo Information
Copyright: Loot Eksteen (loot) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5728 W: 606 N: 3479] (9331)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-02
Categories: Mammals, Savannah
Camera: Cannon EOS 350D, Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO Ultra DG, Digital ISO 100, UV 86mm Kenko
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park animals 1, A study in Mammalogy, Monkeys, Baby Animals 6, Monkeys! [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-04-18 14:51
Viewed: 1434
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Chacma baboon - Papio ursinus

This is the 3rd posting in the ongoing saga of our little friend the "naughty baboon" which was captured in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, at the Mkhombe area, ±0.5km from the Zincakeni Dam.

The 1st posting can be viewed at "Deep, deep trouble again" and the 2nd posting can be viewed at "What's so funny?".

When kids are punished they can display some curious or even hilarious behaviour. For example, they might start to wriggle their clothes, fidget with their fingers or curl their hair with a finger and suddenly say something that has absolutely nothing to do with the situation they find themselves in. This little baboon seemed to be no different. He had his fingers in his mouth, scratched his head, feet crossed, winding his tail and then he suddenly looked up as if to say, "Look, my broken tail". Very much in the manner just like a human kid would have behaved.

As the notes below is a continuation from those in "What's so funny?" you might want to read that first before commencing with the following.

A Little Help from Their Friends – Part 2.
A female will develop a bond with a male solely for the protection he may offer, especially when it comes to defending her baby from an attack. Data suggests that, although many males may rush over to an infant when the alpha male attacks it, it is usually only the male friend of the infant's mother who will get involved directly and actively. For example, he'll actually fight the attacking male or scoop up the infant and run off with it. In some instances, a male consort may take on the role of foster parent after a mother's death.

Friendships typically involve no sexual behaviour, as lactating females almost never copulate. But the relationship can benefit the male in other ways. The female invests heavily in the relationship by keeping in close proximity to him and grooming him. Furthermore, a male may gain an advantage in joining a troop if he forms an association with a female on the inside.

As their hierarchical law dictates, chacmas typically consort with those only within their own rank. But females will sometimes seek friendships with males of higher rank, as they are usually more assertive in their behaviour and therefore may offer more security. But, despite social status, some baboons are simply better protectors than others.

While friendships with males may be useful in guarding against infant death, it is important to remember that in the wild there are no guarantees. Only a quarter of all chacma babies survive their first year. And when the worst happens, bereaved mothers turn to their female friends for comfort, often using the act of grooming as a tactile form of "grief therapy". When the fur is stroked and pulled during grooming, endorphins are released, producing a natural high that relaxes the animal. /End.

To be concluded in the next episode...

Post Processing was done with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0.
saguzar, smirnese, tiobibi, firelord, aido, scottevers7, coasties, Janice, ramthakur, Leace, Dyker, Miss_Piggy, betsie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Dyker: Thanksloot 1 01-10 01:22
To manyee: Turn on the sunloot 1 04-19 05:04
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Loot,
Lovely monkey,has a sad but lier face.
Good moment capture, details and composition. her expression looks like a bit human, that´s why I love apes and monkeys.
regards
Hernán

hi loot,
the same baboon captured in an interesting pose again. i loved this guy! He's like a child as you mentioned in your note. i liked the details a lot (especially the facial expression and the posture).this picture is a reason to smile:)
thank you for sharing.
serhan
P.S. i've run out of my smileys:(

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1552 W: 0 N: 1169] (6448)
  • [2006-04-18 15:19]

Hi Loot,
Very nice portrait! Brilliant expression and good details,
well composed with good POV and nicely framed.
Well done!

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 876 W: 2 N: 609] (2044)
  • [2006-04-18 15:48]

HELLO Loot , This is a exelent photo , from this lovely monkey , good details pov sharpnes compositie colours bg and framing , very good .tfs ,Greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 458 W: 123 N: 197] (2996)
  • [2006-04-18 16:17]

you are getting some good mileage here old chap and i envy you...this little character needs a real dose of in your face portraiture..can you do it?
cheers
geof

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2006-04-18 19:52]

Hi Loot,
he looks a little lonely :-(. Beautiful capture, good sharpness and nice POV. Well composed.
TFS..Sky

Hi Loot,
You could post 100 different shots on this guy, and I would love everyone of them. The small nuances in his facial expressions are priceless. He is still in the dog house here!!
Scott

Hi Loot

I love this wee guy! What a cute, funny face. Full of expression. Excellent exposure. Lovely colour and perefct catchlight. Very nice work. :-)

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 169 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-04-19 3:48]

Hi Loot,
I'm enjoying following this story, I feel quite attached to this little fellow. Excellent detail and natural colours. DOF is right on the mark. Great shot and great note, looking forward to the next episode :-)
Cheers,
Adrian

Well this little fella sure knows how to tug on my heart strings.
I find him totally irresistible. : )
You sure know how to capture those wonderful expressions, Loot.
TFS. : )

P.S. Evelynn and her husband brought the sun back with them when they came down from Oregon for a visit. We have been very busy running around taking pictures, so we have not been spending too much time in front of the computer. : P

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3461 W: 145 N: 5914] (17724)
  • [2006-04-19 6:46]

Another great portrait Loot! Looks like he's got something bad planned!! His expression doesn't look too innocent... and I love the tiny piece of straw in his mouth. Good one my friend,
janice

Hi Loot!
This is a delightful series you have shared and I like this one as much as I did the first one.
Very interesting and informative note.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 641 W: 32 N: 791] (3080)
  • [2006-04-19 16:21]

Hi Loot, another great shot of this cute fellow with another classic expression. Excellent sharp details with good exposure and colour. well composed and TFS.
Dean.

Hi Loot! :)

This is a great shot. The deatil you have captured here is amazing! The light really exposes the creatures human-like face. Nice sharpness and great POV.

Kirsten

  • Great 
  • Adam73 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 226 W: 5 N: 535] (2243)
  • [2006-06-14 10:18]

Wonderful shot. Has some great detail and like said before, you cought his expression just right. Has a large cute factor. :)

  • Great 
  • Dyker Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 142 W: 0 N: 59] (170)
  • [2007-01-09 9:28]
  • [+]

Hello Loot
Shame, you got to feel sorry for this little guy. I think it was more than just his tail that was broken. You have presented us with a fabulous series of photos of this young baboon and the notes tells us an interesting story about the life in a baboon troop. I like it all and I'm fascinated by it.
Greetings
AC

cute, TFS Ori

Hi Loot - You can actually see the mischieff in this guys face and posture!! It is just so human like!! Amazing

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