Gregg Wrenn
April 2026 - Baboon Tussle
About the Image(s)
Taken in Madikwe game reserve in South Africa, this image shows a couple of baboons trying to settle their differences. There was a very large contingent of baboons on the ground but only a few in the trees. Baboon #1 (on the right side with his back to us) was hanging out on a branch about 10 feet off the ground when Baboon #2 jumped down from another. They actually just ignored each other for a minute or two but then Baboon #2 suddenly became aggressive and tried pushing Baboon #1 off the branch. Baboon #1's response is what's pictured here.
After just a few seconds of fighting, Baboon #1 turned and ran away and Baboon #2 took over the branch.
Shot with a Canon R5m2 on a RF200-800 lens at f 9, 1/1000 sec, ISO 1600.
5 comments posted
Gregg - the most important aspect of wildlife images is the story, and you've captured an outstanding intra-species interaction and that's an A+. In my VF I did a bit of dodging, burning, reducing highlights, opening shadows, adding both saturation and brightening in the head and mouth areas to draw attention to the action and story. I also removed what I thought was a very distracting tree branch that took the viewer out of the frame and a triangle in the lower left that was also an eye-grabber. But the image has impact, it's interesting and you have a great story - nice job - the technical and compositional refinements are secondary to story in this image. Posted: 04/01/2026 15:29:17
Gregg,
You have captured a great action moment! Like you I have the canon 200-800. My only complaint is that at 800mm the lowest f stop is 9.0, but so far that has not been an issue. What do you think of that lens?
Back to you photo, I like what Butch suggested. I ddebated with myself about the branch on top, but agree that is neeed to be cloned out. Because the two baboons are locked in a fight, it is a little hard to distinguish one from the other. Posted: 04/02/2026 18:22:37
You have captured a great action moment! Like you I have the canon 200-800. My only complaint is that at 800mm the lowest f stop is 9.0, but so far that has not been an issue. What do you think of that lens?
Back to you photo, I like what Butch suggested. I ddebated with myself about the branch on top, but agree that is neeed to be cloned out. Because the two baboons are locked in a fight, it is a little hard to distinguish one from the other. Posted: 04/02/2026 18:22:37
Gregg
I feel you have captured a strong image with powerful action and a great deal of drama. PSA would consider it a level three image showing interaction between members of the same species. I like the composition and can tolerate the annoying branch at the top because this is Nature and nature is not always perfect. However if this were mine and I was not going to enter it into competition I can truthfully say that branch would have been removed long ago. My regret is that there is not more light on the face of the baboon on the right, but this is not your fault and it is what it is. The image is still impressive. Butch did a good job of bringing that face to life with his edit.
I'm really quite impressed with the quality of the blur you achieved with the background shooting at f9. You must have been fairly close to the subjects and the background was clearly some distance away.
There has been much discussion about the lens you and David have. But from this example, the quality is quite good. Modern cameras have improved enough that now it is possible to raise ISO levels to the 1600 level you required and still retain image quality. The only real problem with that lens is that as the light declines, on the edges of the day, it gets harder to shoot at high shutter speeds. As I age I find it harder to carry my old, and very trust worthy, Nikon 600mm f5.6 prime lens into the field but I do love that f5.6 aperture . Posted: 04/02/2026 18:52:58
I feel you have captured a strong image with powerful action and a great deal of drama. PSA would consider it a level three image showing interaction between members of the same species. I like the composition and can tolerate the annoying branch at the top because this is Nature and nature is not always perfect. However if this were mine and I was not going to enter it into competition I can truthfully say that branch would have been removed long ago. My regret is that there is not more light on the face of the baboon on the right, but this is not your fault and it is what it is. The image is still impressive. Butch did a good job of bringing that face to life with his edit.
I'm really quite impressed with the quality of the blur you achieved with the background shooting at f9. You must have been fairly close to the subjects and the background was clearly some distance away.
There has been much discussion about the lens you and David have. But from this example, the quality is quite good. Modern cameras have improved enough that now it is possible to raise ISO levels to the 1600 level you required and still retain image quality. The only real problem with that lens is that as the light declines, on the edges of the day, it gets harder to shoot at high shutter speeds. As I age I find it harder to carry my old, and very trust worthy, Nikon 600mm f5.6 prime lens into the field but I do love that f5.6 aperture . Posted: 04/02/2026 18:52:58
Hi Gregg,
I like this action shot a lot, particularly for the drama it and energy it reveals! I agree that there could be more separation between the baboons and the background and like the treatment Butch gave it. Maybe you could separate the baboons from each other as well since the overlap in their bodies and faces at first glance is hard to read. If this were my image, I would add a radial gradient with exposure over the faces to give them a little more attention. Great shot! Posted: 04/07/2026 00:07:07
I like this action shot a lot, particularly for the drama it and energy it reveals! I agree that there could be more separation between the baboons and the background and like the treatment Butch gave it. Maybe you could separate the baboons from each other as well since the overlap in their bodies and faces at first glance is hard to read. If this were my image, I would add a radial gradient with exposure over the faces to give them a little more attention. Great shot! Posted: 04/07/2026 00:07:07
Hi Gregg,
That branch must've been a great "perch" for such a fight to take place over it! I really like the moment and interaction you've captured here, those bared teeth say a lot.
I agree with Larry's comment about the top branch - nature is messy and sometimes you just can't work around the mess.
To me the image is a little bright overall and so I like what Butch did to tone things down.
What a great memory and interesting behavior to see and capture.
Posted: 04/18/2026 23:34:30
That branch must've been a great "perch" for such a fight to take place over it! I really like the moment and interaction you've captured here, those bared teeth say a lot.
I agree with Larry's comment about the top branch - nature is messy and sometimes you just can't work around the mess.
To me the image is a little bright overall and so I like what Butch did to tone things down.
What a great memory and interesting behavior to see and capture.
Posted: 04/18/2026 23:34:30