Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for close up photos of the chimpanzees. There’s something about seeing every little detail of their faces that draws me in, captivates me and has me wanting to know more about them. Close-ups show every little fold of skin, every freckle, every speck of color in their eyes that help tell them apart from one another.
For instance, take a look at Missy. What do you see when you look at these photos?
As much as I love these close-ups, I also love the zoomed out photos; the ones where I have to take time to find the chimpanzee “hidden” among the bamboo and grass or on the various structures on Young’s Hill. I find that the zoomed out photos also help tell the story of each chimp, their preferences, their abilities and their character, that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to tell from a closeup. I also find these types of photos help to convey just how far they’ve come since finding sanctuary at CSNW.
For example, the following photos show Missy’s ability to tightrope walk with precision balance and her preference to explore the highest of heights that can be found on Young’s Hill. She’s certainly come a long way from the windowless basement where she lived prior to coming to CSNW.
Of course, these photos and videos wouldn’t be possible without the kindness and generosity of our supporters! Thanks to all of you who have donated time, money, expertise and purchased items off of our Amazon wishlist over the years and most recently for our “Christmas in July” celebration! Your help has literally made all of the difference in the world, helping us to share photos and videos of the Cle Elum Seven with supporters from around the world! And a special thank you goes out to whoever purchased the new computer that now sits in front of me (please let us know who you are since there was no gift receipt with it)!! The new computer will allow us to expand on what we do, plus enable us to make videos of the footage we gather with our new (to us) GoPro cameras.
Shelly says
I see a person in her eyes that I would like to know.
Keri says
Yes Shelly, she’s a pretty amazing person to know! I hope we’re helping you get to know her through photos and videos on our blog!
Carla René says
Hi, Keri,
It’s funny how synchronous humans’ thinking tends to be with one another.
Last night, I was playing around on YouTube, watching my fix of baby gorillas, when like I usually end up doing, I cross-pollinated to a baby chimp, and then suddenly, I find I’m lost in the sanctuary, listening to the sounds of contented chimps as they munch on lunch from their very own garden (and sadly, mourning the fact that they eat better than I do at every meal–HA!), and food squeaks for their birthday breakfast of carrot waffles and fruit smoothies. *evirl grin*
Something weird happened last night, though. I’m watching one of their party videos from 2009 and listening to the low chorus of food grunts, when I realised that I didn’t recognise the chimp I was watching. I kept rewinding only to her, studying her face, trying to put the pieces together. Now, I’m the first one to admit I’m still not good at telling them apart. I know Burrito from any crowd now because I sat staring happily at his face for the whole of last fall as I painted each fold, each soft curve, his playful eyes, sweet freckles…and Jody’s so classically beautiful with her perfectly symmetrical face and huge eyes that she’s easy to distinguish. And Anne…well, her hair is comical, let’s admit it. But I still can’t distinguish Missy or Foxie or Jamie at times.
Finally, it dawned on me: the bald, timid, “soul-less” beauty eating lunch was our own squish-ball, Negra.
I was so stunned I stopped the video just to stare. It just wasn’t her obvious lack of hair that confused me. But that, combined with the fact that her eyes were so still and lifeless; so devoid of hope, that I simply couldn’t see her.
Even the air in 2009 was different. There was just this sense of darkness over all of them and everything you filmed. Listening to those food grunts was almost painful, because in later videos they’ve established trust of you, and the food squeaks are joyful. The festive atmospheres at their parties are of excitement. But these–I’m srry. I’m a published fiction author, and I’m having great difficulty in describing what I witnessed and how it made me feel.
The grunts seemed almost like an intense expression of pain. Maybe I’m projecting, but there was almost this sense that they were scared to death that the food they were eating was just too good to be true, and that the meal they were having would be the last meal they would ever see.
I wish we could save them all. To think there are still animals being denied basic sustenance and respect just kills me. Wish I could do more than just paint donated pictures, but at the moment, it’s all I have. Thanks for doing what most of us can’t. <3
Keri says
I’m certain you are not the only one who gets caught up watching YouTube videos of the chimps over the years. I can say that because I’m guilty of it too 🙂 It’s almost unbelievable to go back and see how far they have come, how much each of them has changed since first arriving at the sanctuary. No doubt their sense of despair is quite evident when they first arrived, not knowing what to think. Fast forward 8 years later and the transformations are incredible! Can’t wait to see what the next 8 years bring!
And Carla, what you do is amazing! Just by following the lives of these chimps, you are educating yourself and no doubt telling those around you about them. You’re a voice for these chimps that they might not otherwise have and that’s truly a gift. So, thank you for being a supporter and painting pictures to help us in our fundraising efforts!! Every single bit helps and we truly appreciate it!
Carla René says
You caught me. 🙂 Willful ignorance makes me just plain mad, and we’re long past living in the ’70s now with our antiquated vision of what zoos and primates are about. So yes, I am quite vocal about the knowledge I have, and am passionate in helping others see what I’ve now learned. (And sometimes, I’m just not even very nice about it. 😉 )
And I thank you for those wonderful, inspiring words. I’m happy to say that as of tomorrow, Mr. Burrito-toes will be matted and the *original* painting on his way to you. It’s something I’m not looking forward to, I’ll be honest. I’ve so loved just having him to look at every day, but now it’s time he move on to his new forever home. I know whoever wins him in the upcoming auction will love him as much as I have. I can’t thank each one of you enough at the sanctuary for including me in yours and their lives, and for the opportunity I’ve had. It’s been a life-changing experience.
<3
Elaine Reininger says
Love those top 3 close-ups of Negra. Like Carla (above) I still can’t tell the difference but I print out all the e-mails that I especially love and will eventually be making a booklet for my own use dedicated to each section of an individual Chimp. Those top 3 will be in Negra’s section of my book. I love the photos of the Chimps with blankets over their heads or fast asleep in their nests.
Keri says
Creating a booklet with photos and descriptions sounds like a great idea! I wanted to clarify that the close-up photos in this blog are of Missy. Both her and Negra have freckles on their face, which can make it confusing when trying to tell them apart. One distinguishing characteristic that helps me tell them apart is that Missy has distinct patch of white freckles on the left side of her upper lip that almost form a line. And Negra is missing the top half of her left ear. Hope that helps!
Kathleen says
What do I see when I look at Missy’s photos? Beauty, curiosity, confidence, a dreamer and a very intelligent and sentient being. I am always surprised how small the chimps look when they are exploring Young’s Hill. So very small in that big natural expanse. And speaking of Missy the Athlete, in your Christmas in July video she is amazing walking the tight rope! WOW!!!
Keri says
Yes Kathleen, I would have to agree with you. Missy is definitely a pretty incredible athlete with a special ability to tightrope walk on the fire hoses. She makes it look so easy!
Pauline says
She looks very intelligent , Beautiful as well of course . Content in her lifestyle now