Baboon in a Hurry to Cross River Channel

The resident baboons are acutely aware of the many crocodiles lurking along the banks of the Chobe. However, baboons must eat and they like to forage for food in the fertile soil between the channels, which means having to cross back and forth.

These river crossings are like an athletic event, similar to an aquatic hop-skip-and-jump, in which as little time as possible is spent in the water in a bid to avoid hungry crocodiles.

Baboon, wary of crocodiles, takes a running jump from river bank

.... then soars through the air to keep clear of the water as long as possible

and remains airborne like a prize long-jumper

before the dreaded but inevitable landing in the water

followed by grim determination to keep head and torso above the surface

culminating in a final plunge towards the far bank and safety of land.

Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mk II with Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM telephoto lens; Aperture: f/5.6; Shutter speed: 1/2000; ISO: 400.

© Scotch Macaskill, www.wildlife-pictures-online.com

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For more about baboons and baboon behavior, please see Baboon Skirmishes.

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