Baboons in Arabia?!

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 7, 2011233 views3 comments

Hi everyone!

I recently returned from an incredible trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. My dad was invited to speak at a medical conference in the mountain town of Al Baha. Somehow he managed to get me a visa, and off we went for a weeklong adventure in one of the most restricted countries in the world. After coming back I can honestly say I've never met a more kind and hospitable group of people than the Saudis. Everyone was SO welcoming and wanted to make sure I had an incredible experience. I have much more to share about my trip, but for now, heres a troop of monkeys that always hang out on the mountain roads surrounding Al Baha. When most people unfamiliar with the region think of Saudi Arabia, I bet images of beautiful mountain ranges and forests don't come to mind, but it is in fact a very important part of the country. It was a region that was a dream to experience knowing that I was one of the only westerners to have ever visited and photographed the area. Any comments and suggestions for the image are always welcome! Please view large!

Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: 70-200mm f2.8 VR
Focal length: 200mm
ISO 400
Aperture: f8,
Shutter speed: 1/800th,
Taken from car window...

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on February 7, 2011 at 4:01 PM

What a terrific experience to have Joe! Great environmental shot of the baboons. Being able to view it large is so beneficial, you get to see all the different behavioral things going on. My only suggestion (and a little unsure about it) might be to crop off the bottom to just above the head of the baboon in the foreground as there is a lot of empty space in the bottom of the image so the rest of the image focuses in on the rocks and baboons.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 8, 2011 at 11:03 AM

Hi Joe, it is exciting to see the first of what I hope will be many exciting images from a "dream" trip. I like this very much as posted and I think you chose a moment where there is MUCH to examine, given all the behaviors exhibited. The thumbnail does not do this kind of capture justice. This is an image that needs to be viewed large to appreciate. I suspect it would be even more impressive at wall print size.

I like that with all those individuals, none are in an awkward or bad pose. The rim lighting on their fur is a fine enhancement that helps lift them from the detail of their background. I agree with your choice of f8 to keep the entire scene in decent focus because of the interesting (and unusual to most viewers) setting. One might wish for you to have found them at daylight or dusk for more interesting lighting, but I think you handled the existing conditions very well.

I am eager to see more from this trip!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 8, 2011 at 10:51 PM

Very nice environmental image. What a great experience.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments