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Know one's position


Know one's position
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2392 W: 94 N: 5536] (17620)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-11
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital JPEG
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-18 8:30
Viewed: 1380
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Between all the photos of Brazil just a different one.

The Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) is a baboon from the Old World monkey family. It is the northernmost of all the baboons; its range extends from the Red Sea in Egypt to Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. It also lives on the Arabian peninsula, though it is uncertain if this population was introduced by humans or not. The Hamadryas Baboon was a sacred animal to the ancient Egyptians as the attendant of Thoth, and so, is also called the Sacred Baboon.
Description
Apart from the striking size difference between the sexes (males are often twice as large as females) which is common to all baboons, this species also shows sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males are silver-white colored and have a pronounced mane, while the females are maneless and brown. The face is colored red.
Ecology
The Hamadryas Baboon lives in semi-desert areas, savannas and rocky areas, requiring cliffs for sleeping and possibilities to drink water. It has an unusual multi-level social system. Most social interaction occurs within small groups (harems) containing one male and up to ten females which the males lead and guard. A harem will typically include a younger "follower" male, but he will not attempt to mate with the females unless the older male is removed. Two to three harems unite repeatedly to form clans, and two to four clans form a band (which usually travels and sleeps together).
The Hamadryas Baboon is patriarchal, unlike the other baboon species. Females do most of the parenting. Like other baboons, the Hamadryas Baboon breeds aseasonally.
Female baboons carrying their "younglings"
The males herd their females with visual threats. They will grab or bite any female that wanders too far away. Males will sometimes raid harems for females, resulting in aggressive fights. When a new male takes over a female, she may go into deceptive estrous cycles. This behavior is likely an adaptation that functions to prevent the new male from killing the offspring of the previous male.
Diet
The Hamadryas Baboon is omnivorous and is adapted to its relatively dry habitat. It is not discriminating in its search for food, eating anything from grasses and roots to insects and vertebrates.
Status
Transformation of field and pastureland represents the main threat of the Hamadryas Baboon, its natural enemies (leopards and lions) having been nearly exterminated in their range. IUCN lists it as near threatened.
(Wikipedia)
nglen, jaycee, keanhoon, warnzy, hester, fartash has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2909 W: 34 N: 8636] (32186)
  • [2007-10-18 8:35]

Hi Peter.I do like this one .The look on its face and the hair do. just great, very good detail and natural colours. a great pose and POV. well done TFS. very interesting notes to go with the picture. well done TFS.
Nick,,

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-10-18 9:12]

Hi Peter,

That is quite a position. Checking for ticks? I love the expressions on both faces. A very good "action" shot with nice natural colors and good details. Not sure how comfortable that rock is.

Jane

Sorry to say that the noise level is a bit high. But I like the moment of family you have captured.
TFS
Best regards,
Kean

Hello Peter,

This is an excellent photograph. The picture just works so well, from the composition to the overall colour tone, but theexpressions on the faces of the Baboons is truely stunning. A competition shot if ever I saw one.

Kind regards,

Mike

Hi Peter,

Lovely picture, clearly illustrating the pecking order. I like it. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2007-10-19 9:59]

Hi Peter

I like this, it tell us a lot about their social structure. Lovely poses and expressions. Sharp, well framed and great POV

TFS

Karan

Hello Peter
Very nice shot of these Hamadryas Baboons,
Perfect composition,lighting and POV,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

AH1 Que c'est mignon de les voir ainsi dormant détendus, les détails et la composition sont superbes.
Bravo
Marie

Hallo Peter,
Ik vind de DOF hier bijzonder; de twee bavianen zijn scherp; waardoor de foto werkt...
Bedankt
Annick

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