BABOONS IN TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA

BABOON FAMILY - AND BABY MAKE THREE

PROTECTIVE MADONNA AND CHILD

BABOON TEACHER AND STUDENTS

TODAY'S WONDERFUL BABOON PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY MY FRIEND MARIETTE RAUBENHEIMER.  THANK YOU, MARIETTE, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE THEM HERE.  

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Saudi Arabia: Baboon Habitat

The native Hamadryas Baboon of Saudi Arabia resides in the mountainous areas, mostly in the southern and western regions of the country.  The below photo above shows an area between Medina and Jeddah where the baboons typically live.

I was shocked when we were driving by on the highway and saw a busload of religious pilgrims hand feeding the baboons fruit and taking photos.  The baboons are wild animals and can be very aggressive, especially when food is involved. 

The closer they came to our vehicle, the higher up our windows went!  We weren't taking any chances with the unpredictable creatures.

I'm sure the tourists got some great photos, but it was at great risk of harm to themselves, one we weren't willing to take!

Saudi Arabia - Mama and Baby Baboons

The baby baboons of Saudi Arabia are adorable and are carried around by their mothers.  The photo above shows a baby riding on his mam's back, while the baby in the photo below can be seen peeking out as it clings to mama's underbelly.  

Baboons of Saudi Arabia

The Hamadryas Baboon is native to Saudi Arabia and Yemen and some parts of Africa.  They live and thrive in the moutainous areas of the country.  Sometimes called the "sacred baboon," these baboons were revered by the ancient Egyptians and were an important part of ancient Egyptian religion.

The males are quite distinctive looking, with a long silvery mane and cape of hair that they keep neatly combed.  Females lack the silvery cape and are just covered in brown fur.  Another distinct feature of the Hamadryas Baboon is a large hairless area that is bright pink or red on their backsides where they sit. 

In today's modern world, however, these baboons can be a nuisance and a danger to people and agriculture here in this region.  They have attacked school children, spread disease, and have destroyed farms and crops.  The baboons travel in large packs, and while they appear to be cute and people love to photograph them, they are wild animals that can become aggressive.

Saudi Arabia - No Camel No Run

So camels won't run off from the herd, often their front legs will be tied together with rope, as you see here in this photo.  I've also seen camels with one of their front legs bent and tied up for other purposes like training and managing them, as I explained in this previous post.  

Saudi Arabia's Dromedary Camel

This camel was resting in the shade of a bush in the desert.  Yes, that's camel poop in the lower left corner of the top photo - pretty small for such a large animal, don't ya think?  That scar on the camel's hip is actually a branding mark indicating its owner.

Camels are well suited for desert survival.  Its long legs keep its body farther from the hot desert sand, keeping it cooler.  The soles of the camel's feet have a thick built in pad like the sole of a shoe which allows the camel to walk on the hot desert sand and rocks without feeling the heat at all.  Camel's eyes have lustrously long thick eyelashes which give protection from the sun and blowing sand.

Even the camel's nostrils and ears are designed to keep sand out while at the same time allowing for optimum function.  Its tough hide is covered with hair and tufts of hair in some places, providing protection from the hot sun and sandstorms.  And of course everyone knows that the dromedary camel's hump is made up of fat, which can be converted into energy for the animal when needed.  This unique capability allows the camel to survive in the desert for several days at a time without food or water.

SkyWatch: Saudi Arabia Camel Sighting

We saw so many camels recently during our four hour drive from Jeddah to Yanbu for the 2018 Flower Festival.  One camel herd we saw consisted almost entirely of white camels shown in this post.  Camels can range in color from black to brown to gold to white, with white being the most rare.  Saudi Arabia is home to the dromedary camel which has only one hump.

Interestingly enough, a camel scandal in January of this year occurred during the big annual Camel Beauty Contest here in Saudi Arabia when twelve contestants were disqualified from the competition - for using botox to make their lips more full and attractive.  The hefty prize money of 20 million riyals apparently was too much temptation for some desperate camel owners who just couldn't help themselves by trying to cheat. Very rules strict are enforced in the no-nonsense contest which include no plastic surgery allowed on the camels, no drugs injected into the lips, and no shaved or clipped body parts.

To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Saudi Arabia Desert Camel and Goats

I still get excited after 10 years of living here in Saudi Arabia when I spot a camel in the desert.  When I grew up in Arizona, I got the same feeling of excitement when I spotted cows or horses off on the horizon.

We also see herds of goats and lambs here on occasion.  

Red Sea Octopus

This octopus was caught in the Red Sea.  I have actually seen octopi when I have been out snorkeling.  Octopus is sold at the big fish market in Old Jeddah. 

Camel Shadows

Photo Credit:  George Steinmetz for National Geographic 2005

Well, I didn't intend to take such a long break from this blog, but I guess I needed it.  Posting daily requires such a big commitment - and a lot of work taking photos, weeding through them, and getting the chosen photos ready for the blog.  So I hope I am rested up and ready to rumble!

With this post upon my return after a several month absence, instead of posting one of my own photos as I normally do, I thought I would treat you to a visual masterpiece taken by world renowned National Geographic photographer George Steinmetz.  Featured in the Turkish issue of National Geographic magazine from February 2005, this photo is the result of having a bird's eye view while Steinmetz was operating a motorized paraglider hovering above the desert sands of Saudi Arabia.  The dark camel shapes are actually the camels' shadows and the light shapes at their feet are the actual camels.  This photo was chosen as one of the best of the year in 2005 by National Geographic. 

Saudi Arabia: Baboons of Taif

Families of baboons inhabit the hills and mountains near Taif, Saudi Arabia. 

 

The baboons are quite a local attraction and are fed fruits and vegetables by the tourists. 

Saudi Arabia: Baboons of Taif

Taif, Saudi Arabia, is home to native baboons.  They are generally well fed by the tourists.

Saudi Arabia: Shepherd's Tents

In rural areas, it is common to see Bedouin tents which house shepherds who mind their charges of sheep, goats, or camels.

SkyWatch: Saudi Arabia: Camel in Desert

I feel fortunate that I got this shot - taken, as so many of my photos are, from a moving vehicle.




To visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Osprey Nest on Red Sea

The osprey nest is huge and made of large branches and twigs.  Female osprey choose their mate based on the construction and location of the male's nest.  This nest has a couple of eggs in it.  The osprey, also known as sea hawk, is a bird of prey and likes to feast on fish.

Camel Illusion

Taking photos of camels is interesting because sometimes the images turn out like optical illusions.  Because of their long necks, big torsos, skinny legs, and how camels tend to stand or sit close to each other, I have many photos of camels that seem to have two heads or six legs and some other weird deformities.  The camel standing in the middle of this photo appears to have a head growing out of its hump.

Baby Camel

This little guy is less than two weeks old.  And yep - that's what camel poop looks like on the ground all around him. 

Fakieh Aquarium Mural on Corniche

The Corniche running along Jeddah's Red Sea coastline has a brand new attraction - the long awaited Fakieh Aquarium.  The grand opening was held on January 21 with a large crowd in attendance.  The aquarium houses over "7,000 marine animals of 200 species in 155 tanks and can accommodate 400 visitors" at one time.  The large mural above appears on an outer wall of the facility. 

For more information, please click HERE. 

On the Rooftops: Birds and Laundry

I can see the rooftops of many buildings from my perch on our own rooftop.   I'm always amazed at the number of pigeons I can see.  There is a man who feeds the pigeons here every day.