Gorilla Touch

ApeArt

Gorilla Touch

Oh what a wonderful, unforgettable moment, making contact with a gorilla. I worked at the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon in December, looking after primates. I spent a fantastic afternoon with some of the gorillas. A large female was very interested in me, I think her name was Emma. We spent over an hour together, each of us separated by a chain link fence.

She stared intently into my eyes, never taking her gaze off me. At one point she produced a stick and slowly pushed it under the wire and cautiously poked my sandal with it, just out of curiousity, in a very gentle manner. I didn’t feel threated at all.

Every time I moved along the fence and tried to take a picture of another gorilla, she sat in front of them, so I couldn’t very easily. It was actually impossible to get a good pic of her, as she was so close to me.

I knew she was comfortable in my presence when she slowly lifted a leg and proceeded to let out a long, loud fart, which was very smelly.

Eventually she slid her hand under the wire and I took it. A wonderful moment which I was very blessed to experience

Taken with Nikon D50

Gorilla Touch belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, All Animals Great And Small., All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Artrageous RB Artists - Self Portrait Gallery, Conservation Photography, Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Cutest of the Cute, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., Endangered Species, Exotic Mammals, First Things, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, Human. Animal. Nature./Człowiek. Zwierzę. Natura. (2 per day, approval required) , Miniatures and Mammoths, Nature's Wonders, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Primate Art, Safe Haven, Shameless Self-Promotion, Solo Exhibition, The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄, The Human Condition, The true beauty, The World, Two Beings Group, United Kingdom and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Gorilla Touch by ApeArt
Gorilla Touch by ApeArt
  • Julie Langford

    Julie Langfordcommunity host

    Another wonderful moment Jane. Emma is a beautiful character. She is very friendly with Benito, a male companion who she was rescued with while they were just babies. She is a beautiful gorilla and you must be very proud of this moment you shared together.

  • ApeArt replied

    Yes she was lovely and gentle and beautiful and I am so grateful for the short time I had with her. I think I saw Benito too, he was near her and is quite handsome, yes? I have some pics of him and a couple of her, will put them up too

  • cdudak

    cdudak

    What an AWESOME SHOT! Instant favorite…Kay

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you very much:)

  • Vickie Fisher

    Vickie Fisher

    Wow, what a moment! This is something….I love the picture, it does capture the moment you experienced.

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you so much, it was amazing :)

  • Julie Langford

    Julie Langfordcommunity host

    Yes she was lovely and gentle and beautiful and I am so grateful for the short time I had with her. I think I saw Benito too, he was near her and is quite handsome, yes? I have some pics of him and a couple of her, will put them up too

    I can’t wait to see them, and Nyango too :)

  • ApeArt replied

    :)

  • Lucertola

    Lucertola

    It is always nice to feel wanted and appreciated – even if only for an hour!

  • ApeArt replied

    Exactly :)

  • shilohlin

    shilohlin

    this has to be the most touching and amazing thing I have ever seen…....I cannot begin to image the emotion this had to bring to you!!! bless your heart for loving them the way you do…....we are all blessed because of it :)

  • ApeArt replied

    Well thank you I do so love them and all the monkeys too:) I am hoping to look after elephants next…

  • Sande Elkins

    Sande Elkins

    Touching image and story! I envy your time with these wonderful creatures; what an adventure that must have been:-)

  • ApeArt replied

    Yes it was wonderful, I know I am so honoured. Am looking into working with elephants next time…

  • Sean Farragher

    Sean Farragher

    great shot,,,,,,,,,,,,

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks Sean

  • Deborah H. Benoit

    Deborah H. Benoit

    Such a fabulous moment you captured!!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you:))

  • mlynnd

    mlynnd

    WOW, I love this. Instant favorite!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you very much

  • TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

    TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

    Incredible capture,shot and moment!!! Awesome! :-))

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks Deb :))

  • Anne-Marie Bokslag

    Anne-Marie Bok...

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you!

  • BigD

    BigD

    Fantastic moment and I love the story with the image. Kudos!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you!

  • Fireman

    Fireman

    Awesome capture, and quite a moment to remember, Well Done

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you!

  • Matt Penfold

    Matt Penfold

    Great photo and description of a heartfelt moment :>)

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you very much :)

  • woof

    woof

    awesome photo! great story…

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you!

  • sharont

    sharont

    Jane, how awesome is that…great soft moment

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks so much :)

  • Rambler25

    Rambler25

    Ahhh…what a wonderful shot!!!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :))

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Amazing shot! And wonderful story! Congrats on ImageWriting feature!

  • eelsblueEllen

    eelsblueEllen

    Such a sweet and tender moment. This looks great on the ImageWriting feature section near my photo of my mother and her hawk. Both of people getting up close with nature. Lovely shot. What a great thing to see!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks so much, will take a look at your pic :)

  • Rosie Appleton

    Rosie Appleton

    How awesome!!!

  • ApeArt replied

    lol yes it was :)

  • hilarydougill

    hilarydougill

    absolutely wonderful touching moment. (no pun intended) wonderful animals, you were so privileged to get so close to them. hugsxxx

  • ApeArt replied

    Yes I was Hilary :))

  • wutz4tea

    wutz4tea

    I keep coming back to this picture….it says so much…much more than words….it’s beautiful!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :)

  • wutz4tea

    wutz4tea

    and if you can’t fart with your sister…well….................!

  • ApeArt replied

    Lol! he he he…:)

  • Micky McGuinness

    Micky McGuinness

    incredible photo… the human hand looks so frail next to the gorilla one

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :)

  • Lucindawind

    Lucindawind

    wow ! thers no words to describe how fabulous this was for you XX

  • ApeArt replied

    Yep, you’re so right :D xx

  • jeffrae

    jeffrae

    Simply incredible!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :)

  • MACLOVER

    MACLOVER

    awesome picture

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you

  • RobertCharles

    RobertCharles

    this is out of this world and a BIG dream of mine, to have contact with the gorillas. BIG HUGE AWE in amazement …......... LOOK at her hand!!! i can only imagine what that moment was like.

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you. Yes it was wonderful. I am so blessed. Emma was so very beautiful. The year before we were in Rwanda sitting with the mountain gorillas and one touched my face…:))

  • Suzanne German

    Suzanne German

    Jane thanks for sharing this with us here – what an honour it must have been for you when she reached out to make hand to hand contact with you!

    How lovely to see your two hands fingers touching in such a warm and moving moment!
    excellent capture!!

    suzanne

  • ApeArt replied

    Yes it was so very touching. Thank you so much :)

  • jim marshal

    jim marshal

    How touching, literally! Thanks for sharing this image as well as the story.

  • ApeArt replied

    My pleasure :)

  • natalia martin de pablos

    natalia martin...

    well done! brilliant work

  • ApeArt replied

    thanks so much

  • Tibby Steedly

    Tibby Steedly

    Wonderful moment and capture. I am so envious of your magical experience!!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :)

  • Angel Perry

    Angel Perry

    Magical indeed. So glad you had your camera… strange it almost brought a tear. Very touching moment for me. Straight to the favs.

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you :)

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.