Taking photos of chimpanzees in captivity can be a challenge. For human and chimpanzee safety, caregivers never go in the enclosures with the chimps. Since we can’t share the same space as the chimps, staff take all the blog photos and videos through a mesh or wire barrier that separates us from the chimpanzees and vice versa.
We get a pretty common question when first time followers see photos like this of Jamie next to the caging:
Fortunately, Diana wrote an easy to reference blog a couple of years ago to answer the question “Why are the Chimps in Cages?”
Sometimes the mesh makes a nice but unintentional little halo around your photo subject, but usually it just makes it hard to focus the camera on the subject.
Mave:
An added challenge to taking photos of the chimps is the chimps themselves…
We might see special moments like Burrito carrying a Dora doll in his mouth and sitting in a well-lit window. We run to get the camera, then of course, as he sees us coming, he demands a game of chase rather than a photo shoot.
Or we might be taking photos of Missy grooming in the greenhouse…
And know that Jamie is waiting for us to groom with her instead:
Tools and poky chimp fingers can make photo taking risky:
And the new 3 are often too close to the camera because they love looking at screens. So sometimes it’s safer to point and shoot without looking in the view finder and see what the camera focuses on.
Please enjoy these photos I’ve titled ” Willy B: Up close and oddly focused”:
Anna, I understand that some people may be disappointed to see the chimps are in their caged habitat, but there are so many pics out on the hill and roaming in their open spaces, climbing for apples on the outdoor structures, etc. And their inside spaces, while barred and screened, are for their own safety and are areas of meaningful play and bonding, and wonderful, comforting spaces for them. I think that people who are critical about the realities of safety issues don’t “get it” and that’s unfortunate for them. Nor might they be aware of the deplorable conditions these chimps have lived in. I await each day’s blog and photos to see who’s going to show up today and what the chimps are up to while I’ve been at work. In this blog’s group of photos I find the pic of Mave to be very powerful. The photos of Willy B’s eyes shows his depth of soul and personality. And the fabulous photo of his ear is a true work of photographic art. And — Who of us would ever be blessed by being able to get close enough to that ear to really see how much it truly looks like our own. In fact, his ear looks exactly like my grandfather’s! Trust that those of us who are filled with glee and gratitude that these chimps get to have a life of respect and safety from abuse.
Thank you Marya….beautifully said!
Willy B has such beautiful, penetrating eyes.
I just got done reading the blog post about why chimpanzee are in cages. I thing that was a very informative. One thing I been wondering about is what temperature do you keep the chimp house at. I do appreciate everything you do for the chimpanzees. I never realized what they have been through until I started read your blog. They should never put thru that.
Hi Andrew – Thank you! We generally keep the chimp house between 72 and 80 degrees. The heating all comes from the floors and catwalks with backup propane unit heaters in each area. We don’t have air conditioning but when it gets really hot in the summer we open the windows at night (it always cools off at night) and then close everything in the morning to trap in the cool air.
I honestly understand all the photographic challenges you face and this is why I am always astounded by the countless photos you post every single day that are absolutely flawless and often gallery worthy. You should also add that you have soooo many other things to do that having the ‘luxury of time’ to photograph the chimps probably isn’t an option.
I happen to think the last two photos, “Willy B: Up close and oddly focused”, (so funny!) are right up there as my very favorite images. OMG, that beautiful ear!! It’s so delicate, and colorful, and oh those whispy little hairs…..I can’t stand it! What a happy accident. And I love Willy B’s eyes too.
Excellent post, thanks Anna.
I look forward each evening to read the post of the chimps and see what they have been up to. My question is this, have Honey B and Mave shown any signs of venturing outside with Willy B. One would think after observing him and nothing bad happens and sometimes he is sitting up in his tree house snacking on apples and oranges they would follow him out..I am looking forward to that day.
Look at that beautiful ear! 🙂