Feasting on pincushion blooms (Leucospermum conocarpodendron), a young juvenile baboon, while handling the flowers gets covered in pollen. As he scrambles across the bush he’ll provide a useful service of cross pollination by brushing against the pollen and spreading it to different flowers. There he is fulfilling an ecological role as a part of a functioning ecosystem.
Nature on the Edge 
Win/win!
Perfectly observed Eliza!
Lovely to see baboons presented in an appropriately positive way! Thanks Liz.
Appreciate your comment,thanks Carol.
Lovely images.
Thanks Brian.
I love all things primate. I study them here at university (Anthropology major) and they are the reason I switched to Bio Anthro as my major 🙂
Aren’t they fascinating creatures!
They most certainly are. They can teach us a lot about ourselves since we have a common ancestor.
These are wonderful!
Thanks Belinda.
I never thought of this – them being pollinators.
They’re very useful at dispersing seeds too!
Wonderful photos!
Thanks Jude.
I wonder – if we could eat the flowers? Would make a spectacular garnish scattered in a salad.
That’s a good question for the guru on fynbos foraging – Roushana Grey over at Cape Point nursery. Next occasion will consult.
Wonderful! such interesting and expressive creatures. Thank you for capturing them like this.
They have me hooked on following their behaviour!
These are beautiful photographs – as with so many of yours, they tell a story way beyond the initial image.
Thanks Anne, appreciate your comment!
The pincushions are so beautiful, even a baboon looks nice surrounded by them!
Don’t they fit brautifullytogether in this eco system!
No denying that!
Lovely photos Liz.
Alison
Thanks Alison.
Ahh they are blissfully unaware of the useful job they’re doing, great photos Liz!
What a treat to watch Liz. Any idea what age the youngster is?
Fab photos and an interesting perspective on pollination too.
Haven’t seen you around for months Liz. I do hope everything is OK. Missing your nature photos.
Jude xx
Hi Jude! I’m back …. travels and all. It was a wonderful break. I look forward to catching up with your posts. Snowing there?
Oh, good. Glad the disappearance was for travel reasons! And look forward to hearing about them. No snow here, but it has been cold this week with lots of hail. Hopefully the weather will warm up again soon as I have lots of plants to plant!
More travel notes coming up ….
Hope your spring weather picks up soon and you can get those plants bedded.