\u201cAnimals should not require our permission to live on earth. Animals were given the right to be here long before we arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n
~Anthony Douglas Williams<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The boss was the first to arrive, a large dominant male baboon, presumably the troop leader. He walked with confidence and purpose.<\/p>\n
Before getting to the pool he stopped sat down and just looked around, probably just assessing the lie of the land to make sure there were no potential threats to his troop.<\/p>\n \u201cMuch of human behavior can be explained by watching the wild beasts around us. They are constantly teaching us things about ourselves and the way of the universe, but most people are too blind to watch and listen.\u201d ~ Suzy Kassem<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This young male stopped in his walk to the pool and just stared at us. His mannerisms were so human-like, I could not help but smile.<\/p>\n The baboons were not the only ones keen to have a drink in the late afternoon. A small herd of impala also came down to sate their thirst. Baboon and impala will often be seen together as they work symbiotically and provide more eyes and ears to watch and listen for danger.<\/p>\n \u201cSymbiosis is a much higher reflection of intelligent life.\u201d~Frederick Lenz<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Three young baboons came down to drink. I am sure the water was did not taste clean and fresh, but there was no alternative. You can see they were looking over the water while drinking, ever alert.<\/p>\n This young male baboon was bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight.<\/p>\n This young lady was preoccupied with a little thigh grooming.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, best to remain vigilant. It\u2019s when everything is calm that you need to be most alert.\u201d ~ Brandon Sanderson<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It was so peaceful and warm in the late afternoon sun that this male started to doze off while watching us. Obviously, the sun made more of an impression than we did, happily.<\/p>\n Mother and baby on the rocks above the pool. The sun has to be reasonably low in the late afternoon to get the baboons eyes fully illuminated because of their substantial forehead and eye brow.<\/p>\n These youngsters hang onto their mother\u2019s hair which I am sure must hurt the mother.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be intimidated by other people\u2019s opinions. Only mediocrity is sure of itself, so take risks and do what you really want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n ~Unknown<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This young female baboon was taking in the whole scene with serene acceptance.<\/p>\n I just loved the pose. She could have been on the beach in Saint Tropez with the camera crew all around her.<\/p>\n Unfazed and unperturbed, just soaking up the warm afternoon sun.<\/p>\n One of the youngsters must have done something wrong because it was about to be chastised.<\/p>\n Just like a human youngster, the young baboon screamed and shouted when being chased by a parent or adult.<\/p>\n \u201cBaboons are incredibly social beings, and just like human families, they comfort and support each other, and squabble and fight!\u201d<\/p>\n ~Baboon Matters<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This youngster was looking for some comfort and protection from the adult. I am not sure if the adult was the youngster\u2019s parent because there was already a baby clinging to the adult\u2019s belly.<\/p>\n The next day we found two families of baboon sitting on the ground warming up in the early winter morning sun. The adults were grooming each other while the youngsters played on the branches around them.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/howieswildlifeimages.files.wordpress.com\/2017\/09\/20170812-d5s_7968.jpg\" "\\"\\"")