While we may differ from monkeys in more than a few ways, some things remain the same. Young baboons are every bit as curious, rambunctious, and entertaining as human children. They also appear to be every ounce the challenge for their parents to deal with. In this photo from Chobe National Park in northern Botswana I captured a healthy mother and her rather animated child right before he launched himself from her back and into the nearby grass for a playful romp, roll, and flop.
The mother’s mixture of vexed parent and half-ignored mode of transport reminds me vividly of the small army of soccer moms (and dads) that descended on the rich green grass fields behind my apartment back in Arizona every weekend. The kids could often be seen half-tumbling out of the mini-van’s sliding doors moments after the vehicles came to a stop. The raised voices of vexed parents chasing after them.
Both sights brought a smile to my face. Though I will admit that I’m ever so slightly more partial to the oversize ears and awkward tail that define a baby baboon.
Would you like to see previous Friday Photos? View past travel pictures here. This photo was taken on a Canon T3i (600D)
