Today is GORGEOUS at the sanctuary! I went up to take a few photos from on top of the visitor observation deck while the chimpanzees were traveling to the top of the hill, and I remembered that I had not yet shared photos taken by last year’s Photograph the Chimps winners from the HOOT! gala!
Before I share some of those photos, I have two questions for all potential HOOT!-goers this year:
1st – do you have your tickets yet?!
2nd – would you like a chance to bid on a photograph the chimps experience again this year? We’ve had it for two years in a row, and I’d hate for things to get old, so let me know! Maybe there’s another kind of experience at the sanctuary that you would like to bid on instead?
Professional photographers / photojournalists Karen Ducey of Animal News Northwest and Dean Rutz of the Seattle Times generously donate their expertise and equipment for these experiences.
The first winners last year were Jim Keller and CeeCee McCray:
It was difficult to choose among the many great photos that they took, but here are a few. The three below were taken by CeeCee.
Annie:
Foxie:
Missy (this is probably my favorite, because it’s just so Missy):
And the three below were taken by Jim.
Annie:
Jamie:
Jody (just checking to see if there was any food up there – you never know!):
Big, big thanks to Karen & Dean, Jim & CeeCee for giving generously and being all around great people! Kathy & Alice Rose were the two other winners of this experience, and I will share some of their photos soon too.
I’m sure people would bid on doing laundry or chopping veggies for the chimps meals! I would bid on that experience!
Great photos!
Wish I lived closer and could get there for the wonderful Hoot! gala and be part of the excitement. What an absolutely wonderful opportunity to be out there in that beautiful country and to be able to take pictures of the awesome chimps. Lovely photographs.
I agree with Meg! (been there done that!). ; ) But seriously, if I could make it out to attend your fabulous HOOT! I would bid neck-n-neck for that photo session. I am soooooo envious of the lucky winners each year. I remember the photos taken by Kathy and Alice from the past year. To be able to photograph my dearest friends enjoying their day on the Hill with the expertise and insight (and wicked high end camera equipment!!) of Karen Ducey & Dean Rutz would be my dream come true. WOW!
And I love these photos on todays blog. My favorites? Missy and Jody, too perfect, but each one is wonderful.