This baby bongo was born last year at Dublin Zoo. I remember the first time I saw the male bongo, whose antlers (horns?) are quite magnificent. He was curled against one of the fences, his head lowered so his mouth was near the ground, and when I looked at him through my camera viewfinder, I saw a classic African carving. It was an absolutely visceral visual, completely startling to me, and quite wonderful, as I’d never experienced anything like that before.

Sadly, that picture didn’t turn out nearly as successfully as the impact it had on me suggested it should have, so instead: baby bongo!

The baby got quite interested in the viewers, eventually coming over for a peek, which thrilled my nephews to no end:

The younger nephew, who was quite communing with the creature, didn’t want to leave at all. I can’t say I blame him, either, as we were within 3 feet of it when the above picture was taken. I have several other photos I’m very pleased with, too, but I won’t spam you with ALL THE BONGO PICTURES all at once. :)

(x-posted from The Essential Kit)