Big Daddy

ApeArt

Big Daddy

This is Charles, a silverback mountain gorilla resting after lunch in the Parc de Volcans, Rwanda. It was wonderful to watch this tender father grooming his children and then settling down to rest with them.

He is part of the Umubano Group, meaning “neighborliness”. Umubano has 9 individuals: 1 Silverback; 1 Sub adult male; 3 Adult females and 4 Babies.

Umubano was formerly a part of the Amahoro group. As Charles matured into a silverback of the same rank as Ubumwe, he could not stand being given orders and decided to stage a fight and challenge Ubumwe. The fight went on for weeks and then months. Finally, Charles managed to snatch from Ubumwe a few females and formed his own group. Since then, he has commanded respect and recognition from Ubumwe.

There are currently around 380 mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Taken with Nikon D50.

Big Daddy belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, Animal Portraits, Conservation Photography, Cutest of the Cute, Endangered Species, Exotic Mammals, Miniatures and Mammoths, Nature's Wonders, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Primate Art, Safe Haven, The Addicted Photographerâ–º2 Per Dayâ—„, The true beauty, The World and United Kingdom Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Big Daddy by ApeArt
Big Daddy by ApeArt
  • TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

    TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

    Beautiful expression and Gorgeous Capture of a Magnificent Animal!!! ...... I LOVE his expression too!!! :-)

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    thank you so much, just put him on! Don’t know how to sell my pics though, as they all say they’re not for sale, but they are!

  • Carisma

    Carisma

    Beautiful expression – you caught so well this gentle giant (well maybe not so gentle)

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    Thanks! They are very gentle and are vegetarians. Unfotunately King Kong gave them a very bad name! I wasn’t frightened at all, even when one touched my face. It was heaven!

  • Cheri McEachin

    Cheri McEachin

    oh wow excellent shot here—-lovely eyes

  • Steve Bulford

    Steve Bulford

    Love it! Which group was this silverback from, looks like one of the same ones we saw?!
    Great shot, nice composition!! :-)

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    Hi Steve, not sure what group it was. Was a smallish family, not too far to walk to.

  • Jeremy Harrington

    Jeremy Harrington

    this is a gorgeous shot.. well done

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    Thanks Jeremy

  • Robyn Maynard

    Robyn Maynard

    Wicked shot. you are so lucky to have shared in their world, one day I hope I can ;-)

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    Thanks Magnetic, it was wonderful, especially when one touched my cheek!

  • Ginny Schmidt

    Ginny Schmidt

    I adore silverbacks, they are literally AWEsome, which is a word I try not to abuse. The only one’s I’ve seen close up are at the National Zoo habitat in Washington, D.C. I could sit for ages just watching one of these big guys just sit around. I watched one eat an apple once; he held it and ate it as I would eat a grape. Makes one feel somewhat insignificant … at least it does me. Thank you for these lovely portraits.

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    My pleasure Ginny, glad you like them ):

  • Aussiebluey

    Aussiebluey

    Beautiful shot, we are getting a family of Westren Lowland Gorillas for our Zoo as well as a breeding pair of Giant pandas.
    Tim

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    Thanks Tim. That’s something great to look forward to, photographing the new arrivals!

  • hfrymark

    hfrymark

    Magnificent, this will be in my favorites.

  • ApeArt

    ApeArt

    well thank you h

  • Lucindawind

    Lucindawind

    gorgeous creatues arent they !

  • ApeArt replied

    they certainly are

  • Blackroaches

    Blackroaches

    That is so totally amazing!
    this is one of the most heartwarming pictures ive seen

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks so much, glad you like it!

  • Namueh

    Namueh

    great capture

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks!

  • Kuulei2you

    Kuulei2you

    ApeArt, So glad to find you here at redbubble. You will sell your work but I think you will have to go to my art and change the not for saled! Love your fabulous photos and the awesome animals you are so lucky to be around!!

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you so very much. Sorry, only just seen your comment :)

  • Eyeleen

    Eyeleen

    Such a wonderful capture….looks kinda like my Big Daddy….lol. Just kidding! :-)

  • ApeArt replied

    :D

  • Cora Wandel

    Cora Wandel

    Love how you’re able to capture the character of Charles in both your words and image of him. He is beautiful, and fascinating.

  • ApeArt replied

    Thank you Cora, so glad you enjoyed this :)

  • jeffrae

    jeffrae

    As a silverback I wouldn’t mess with him but he has such a sweet soft look on his face and his eyes are so loving….

  • ApeArt replied

    Yes he has. He threw his weight about at one point and we had to lie low but it was exciting

  • funkybunch

    funkybunch

    staggeringly beautiful image of a stunning fellow. perfection

  • ApeArt replied

    Thanks so much, glad you like him

  • Akkra

    Akkra

    So big and powerful, but with such a gentle face. I would be a tad nervous myself though! Lovely shot.

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