Two days have passed since the storm and the sandy beach where I photographed the galloping zebra has altered in the aftermath. Today it is strewn with huge piles of kelp, dislodged by the powerful waves and borne in on the spring high tide.
The kelp brought with it a bonanza for the baboons, a feast of mussels still attached to the fronds. The baboons living along the coast supplement their diet with this highly nutritious resource which is rich in omega oils. They tucked in with gusto, and I noticed that some of the older females had packed their cheek pouches until they bulged into hanging pouches. There was a lot of ‘chatter’ as they sucked and chewed and a delightful sound of ‘hiccups’ as one greedy adult male gulped down the morsels far too quickly.
Nature on the Edge 
The storm was surely horrible but the sight of these cheeky fellows makes me smile. 🙂 Excellent images, and that zebra!
Yes!! Once over the danger this scene was a delight. Glad they make you smile, wish i could have posted a video to record the contented ‘chatter’.
Some good has come from the storm then. You are an amazing observer of this troop Liz. Fabulous photos as usual. I have to say I much prefer my mussels cooked in a white wine and garlic sauce 🙂
:0 sashimi in it’s purest form! Very rich in omega oils. I reckon these baboons are far smarter than their country cousins.
🙂
It was a thrill to find the baboons at their beach feast 🙂 They were quite glutonous – the fullest cheek pouches i’ve ever seen.
That sounds wonderful. 👍🏻 I’d go clicking mad seeing them❣️😊
What a boon for the baboons! Great photos, Liz. Esp. love the wee one looking straight at the camera. 🙂
Yes that little one was quite the star of the show. Mind you there is a strict hierachy when it comes to food and the pecking order. So he had to wait his chance being at the end of the chain.
I still can’t get over the image of a zebra on the beach!
More amazing photos, Liz.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Isn’t that a magical sight!! Almost expect the unicorn to conjer up besides the zebra.
To them it must feel like they walked into a fancy restaurant for a special occasion!
Yes!! It was full on gluttony! They could eat their fill without having to watch for the incoming tide. There it was all laid out for them!
You gave us a front-row seat to the feast! Thank you, and that little one in the upper right corner is adorable!
Great captures. Especially the one with a baboon with a mussel in its hand 😊
It is an ill wind that blows no good – I am pleased to see this feast not going to waste. This is what nature intends.
True, glad to witness the feast… and those babs had full cheek pouches.
Wonderful images Liz! I’m so pleased to see the baboons benefiting from the mussels …
Thanks, wish you could have witnessed the scene Lynette. Such contentment.
Wow. Great images. Thanks.
Lovely set of photos!
Thanks Rajiv.
Nice pictures again!! Can’t resist the charm from baboons here!😁
Gorgeous pictures! It must be so amazing getting to see these creatures be themselves and so happy.
Yes, it’s a priviledge to be able to observe them in their natural environment. Mind you had a troop of them visiting my back garden some days ago – unsettlingly close.
Dear Liz,
I am putting together an Baboon awareness brochure/booklet for the Overstrand area. I love your pictures! Would it be possible to use one/two even three of your pics? Specifically the young baboons foraging in the kelp, the male on the rocks dipping his hand in. Also a picture from a previous post of the baboons eating cone bush? I of course will keep your signature on the photo and credit you. The brochure is for educational purposes and will not be used to generate income/funds. Thank you for the great photography, I hope to hear from you. Tamzyn
Hello Tamzyn, you’re most welcome to use the photos and I’m happy to assist for educational purposes. Not sure whether the web pix are suitable for orinting – may require higher resolution . I’m travelling in Namibia presently – when is your printing deadline?