Full Moon

Artist: ECGardner
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Card: US$3.85
Print: from US$19.24

Full Moon

I stood watching this young bonobo ape (an endangered species related to the chimpanzee) for a while, and I noticed that after a bit he was watching me, too. So I started talking to him, simple things like “Hello there,” and “Aren’t you handsome?” (Yes, people gave me funny looks, and no, I didn’t care.) He actually seemed to like it, and we gestured and held eye contact for a couple of minutes. Then, some people strolled up next to me and started making obnoxious “monkey noises” and saying “Heyyy monkey monkey” and so on. Now, bonobos are not monkeys, they are apes, and they do not make “monkey noises,” and I could clearly see that this little guy found all of this annoying. So, after a moment, he purposefully stood up, turned around, bent over, and put his head between his legs as you see here. I don’t think the monkey-noise people really got it, but I did, and I so wish I could have given him a high-5. :P

In conjunction with the Primates Group’s fundraising efforts, 100% of the profits from the sale of this image will be donated to Gorilla Haven.

Full Moon belongs to the following groups:

Animal Kingdom, Art for Conservation, Exotic Mammals, Happy Haven and Primates

Lisa Kenny, 8 months ago

Brilliant ~ and i love the story that goes with it too !!
Lumineux, 8 months ago

Priceless! Can’t count the times I have wished to be able to do this when annoyed. Lol
Fantastic capture.
twitchy, 8 months ago

Great story behind this picture (pun intended) Nicely captured
MattTworkowski, 8 months ago

Brilliant Erin,think we all feel like this from time to time lol,super cool image.
Amanda Zalewski, 8 months ago

lol =) adorable! very cute!
ferndesign, 8 months ago

awesome i love it
Jen Cannella, 8 months ago

Great capture and story!
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS, 8 months ago

:-) This put such a Big SMILE on my face ….. Great Capture Erin!!!!!!! Just LOVE the story too.
Helene Kippert, 8 months ago

Brilliant – great story Erin! I love the bonobos – their societies are run by females. :o)
Cindy Perrinj..., 8 months ago

Too cute!!!
Tiffany Dryburgh, 8 months ago

Gorgeous image, hilarious story! Well captured.
micmac, 8 months ago

So funny ,too cool.
StacyLee, 8 months ago

How cute!! This works beautifully in black and white Erin. Very nice capture (as usual) :)!!
Suni Pruett, 8 months ago

HAHA This is priceless…...its the universal way of saying “Kiss It!!!” Great job!!! I am so glad that you explained it!

I love it!!
Suni
Helen Bascom KMA, 8 months ago

Delightful story and a fabulous photo.
greenfrog153, 8 months ago

Now that is a great shot !!!!
Cathleen Taraw..., 8 months ago

Howzit.
midzing, 8 months ago

brilliant,, love it.
sally williams, 8 months ago

Oh to have the nerve to do this when ppl piss me off!! Wonderful shot
Angelique Brunas, 8 months ago

aww what a cutie, he seems to pose for you ;-)
Deborah Parkin, 8 months ago

this is just brilliant – looks great in b&w and perfect framing lol!!!
mesal, 8 months ago

Great capture, I agree with the Bonobo’s gesture too.
janik, 8 months ago

Priceless!
Paul Tait, 8 months ago

What can I say. The lighting is superb. Who said animals were hard to photograph. You make it look so easy!
Cynthia Adams, 8 months ago

Beautiful and the title is so apt…lol.I agree about the ignorance of some people..he is showing how intellegent he is compared to the onlookers..speaks volumes!!
Nicole Goggins, 8 months ago

too cute! love the story…
Jeff Burns, 8 months ago

LOL great work. This is awesome
Susan Zohn, 8 months ago

Oh, this is so cute. Great capture.
Jacky, 8 months ago

lol..wonderful story:) ..and Very beautiful photo !
Shane Smart, 8 months ago

Great image and thanks for sharing the story behind it. I love zoo’s but I often dislike some of the people I meet there…
ECGardner, 8 months ago

Thanks so much, everyone. I thought this little guy and the story were too cute not to share. I hope you got a smile out of it like I did. :)
Tonya Alexander, 8 months ago

I love your story as much as the wonderful and cute picture! What a cute little guy and I don’t blame him one bit for mooning the monkey noise people! ha.ha. Tonya
Julie Langford, 8 months ago

Hehehe – what a hoot – Brilliant Erin, and thanks for the heads up – Love love love it.
J.K. York, 8 months ago

great shot. i wish i were that flexible! perfect expression too. very well composed shot.
Madison Ellis, 8 months ago

hahahahahahahha….this is so darn cute/funny!!! Excellent capture!!!
daniels, 8 months ago

that’s a fav, great shot!
spiffing, 8 months ago

bonobos are a beautiful ape, so mellow and small. and you have to give them a hand for using sex to ease social tension. :)
joolz, 8 months ago

Great shot and great story to go with it.
Stefan Trenker, 8 months ago

a monkey clown! simply fantastic!
Robyn Carter, 8 months ago

Some people are so stupid. I’m pleased he did that – annd fabulous capture ;)

Cheers
Robyn
SpaceAce07, 8 months ago

Love it. Brilliant capture
Catherine Crim..., 8 months ago

this is fantastic!!!!!!
Mister, 8 months ago

Lol.
Lucindawind, 8 months ago

lol so funny greatr capture !
thrumyeyes, 8 months ago

This is wonderful
wolfllink, 8 months ago

Great shot this is so funny! Thank you for the laugh!
Rita H. Ireland, 8 months ago

That’s just the best!...Just love this awesome shot…....Rita
Cadence, 8 months ago

Ha! This is what photography is all about… getting in touch with your subject and then snapping the shutter at a precise, perfect moment in order to get a photo that really tells a story :) You really captured this bonobo’s personality :) Instant fav!
emapearl, 8 months ago

haha. thats way to awesome.
Antoine Dagobert, 8 months ago

Brilliant!!
jesika, 8 months ago

Brilliant story, brilliant picture, BRILLIANT Bonobo.
j
Sheryl Kasper, 8 months ago

Great story and cute picture to go with it.
Carmen Mandel-..., 8 months ago

So lovely. You and your Bonobo friend are one of a kind by creating such a sweet contact. The ignorant onlookers making obnoxious noises are a disgraceful addition to any place where we have the chance to enjoy these beautiful and intelligent creatures.

I fancy this image as a huge poster placed where you visited this young individual, reading “No monkey noises here”.

Thank you for adding this lovely friend to Art for Conservation.
sdnalednas, 8 months ago

here here little ape! : )
Lesley Smither..., 8 months ago

Awesome shot – simply love it and your story makes it even more endearing which is what wildlife photography is all about after all – getting to know the subject matter, no matter what it takes and how much of a fool we make of ourselves, don’t you think?
Klaudy Krbata, 8 months ago

hahahahaha…......perfect moment
Jayson Gaskell, 8 months ago

what a cheeky monkey, i mean ape
Mundy Hackett, 8 months ago

LOL! Fabulous, the whole thing!
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS, 8 months ago

LOL …..... I just LOVE this photo Erin, I’m so glad you decided to put this in the group!! If that doesn’t make you Smile? Then I don’t know what would :-) A wonderful addition to the group
Antanas, 8 months ago

Perfect moment
Deon de Waal, 8 months ago

Hillarious capture.
You could have entered this in derid’s blue moon competition. :)
Thanks for the warm welcome to the Haven.
Joan Smart, 8 months ago

THIS IS JUST TO COOL!! WHAT A GREAT CAPTURE !!! LOVE IT!!
Crockpot, 8 months ago

Wonderful photo AND story!! Kudos to you – and this spunky little guy!
Jessica Tremp, 8 months ago

oh, how adorable…very cute
LostBoy1, 8 months ago

They were insulting his intelligence…and then they were to dum to realise he was insulting them!

absolute cracker!! well done!!
shadowzone, 8 months ago

love this!! excellent shot! and yes, i agree with you that it sounds like he knew excatly what he was up to hahaha
Sara Lamond, 8 months ago

This is great – lol! little guy saying kiss my a&&....lol
Snapshooter, 8 months ago

Great capture :)

Lars
ECGardner, 8 months ago

Thanks again so much to all of you. @Lostboy—yeah, I loved that irony. :P
Dave Sandersfeld, 8 months ago

Your description adds dimensionally to this wonderful photo. Why do people assume? i guess they don’t think?
Amedori, 8 months ago

Precious and love the words that tell the tale of how you got the shot.
Dakolina, 8 months ago

how playful, this is priceless
moonstone, 8 months ago

LOL just classical great work my friend
diffusion, 8 months ago

lol…love it….the look on her face is priceless
Bramble, 8 months ago

Such a cool picture, well done!!
Daniela Weil, 8 months ago

Great capture and story!
Aphoto4You IPA, 8 months ago

hhahahhahaah this little guy think he is control of your camera….lol…this is BOUNTYFUL PHOTO…lol
ECGardner, 8 months ago

Thanks again so much to all. :)
Sue Abonyi, 8 months ago

Too cute!
Deri Dority, 8 months ago

A truly brilliant capture!!!! This brings a big smile to my face.
Joyce Dickens,..., 8 months ago

Ha Ha, made me laugh out loud! Not what I expected when I clicked on this title…..very creative, excellent shot!
Antanas, 8 months ago

Cool
Craig Watson, 8 months ago

Wonderful capture of a very interesting moment… the expression on the face is just something else!!! What a great shot with a very appropriate title!!!

All the comments by fellow “bubblers” pay testament to the shot, the title and the description you have provided here. Well done ECGardner.
Craig Watson, 8 months ago

PS… I hope this photo finds it’s way into the redbubble book!!!
khosie, 8 months ago

Champagne photograph!!! Fantastic!! Thanks for your nice comments on my fireworks photo. Your encouragement is an amazing help towards building my confidence. One day hopefully I’ll take as great photos as you! :O)
Tammy Soulliere, 8 months ago

lmao thats too funnyt! great capture!!
Robert Boretti, 8 months ago

LOL.. Too cute!
Pilgrim, 8 months ago

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from janis
ECGardner, 8 months ago

Thank you all again so very much, and thank you Janis for the beautiful words and expression. :)
dwright, 8 months ago

Cute!
gordontant, 8 months ago

this is such a great image.. i like the tale to go with it, but i love this image
Dimf, 8 months ago

how funny, i like monkeys, they are so cute.
Leena Hedman, 8 months ago

LoL! Great story and fab shot!
Vincent Abbey, 8 months ago

Another great “in the moment” moment! love it!
Michelle Hitt, 8 months ago

What a cute little guy, and smart, too from what it sounds like!
cathy savels, 7 months ago

Hehe! This is excellent. I love the story that goes with it. Animals are much more astute than people give them credit.
victoriaG, 7 months ago

OMGoodness!!! I could think of a few people I could send this one to. Excellent.
lunaskies, 7 months ago

great story, brilliant photo!
Jeremy Harrington, 7 months ago

You have a fantastic talent at capturing animals, and indeed everything! this is such a fantastic shot..
Jennifer Resemius, 7 months ago

excellent capture. I don’t think that could be any cuter!!
Geri Bragg, 7 months ago

this is incredible ! great capture ! i love chimps & he is so cute ! what a great photo.
Deborah Bowness, 7 months ago

Such a sweet and funny capture, I love it!! I love also that you have made it B&W!
Rachael Evans, 7 months ago

He got it so right! Hilarious and gorgeous…
wanda lechene, 7 months ago

lol that is a great capture love it
Pal Gyomai, 7 months ago

It is indeed (a full moon). Great capture! Great story.
mgadise2, 7 months ago

he he this is funny.
Gayle Shaw, 7 months ago

Just perfect, what a clever little guy. The laugh was definitely on the other people. What a fantastic capture this is.
studiofascino, 7 months ago

fantastic! love it!
griffinwm, 7 months ago

lol..i love it!!!
paulevelin, 7 months ago

smile
thanks for this one
bobbymcleod, 6 months ago

love the antics of these little guys!
Benjamin Young, 6 months ago

LOL….LOL…. This is sooooo cool….! ! ! !
Marc Evans IPA, 6 months ago

Awesome !!!!!!! Great capture , Now this should be a greeting card ! Just not sure what it would say !
randi1972, 6 months ago

Fantastic photo, I love the story behind it!
stevenash, 6 months ago

“did i really walk out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to me?” Great shot, speaks many words :)
Philip W Messe..., 6 months ago

It made me laugh :)
Greg Halliday, 6 months ago

Good shot, great name and I love the story.
Stephen Mitchell, 6 months ago

Excellent. Great capture of the moment.
dinghysailor1, 6 months ago

tee hee…..chuckles…....:)
TNPhotography, 6 months ago

bottoms up .hehe love this image great B&W
Gerry Van der ..., 6 months ago

Absolute classic!! Great shot!
Rany Lutz, 6 months ago

Too cool!! A fave!
Oli Johnson, 6 months ago

fantastic!
Gary Murison, 6 months ago

LOL. Excellent capture. It speaks for itself :) Best wishes
Tigeressly, 6 months ago

Perfect timing, great shot of this little cutie! :-)
Marnie Kirkness, 6 months ago

FANTASTIC!
Dan Shalloe, 6 months ago

This is an absolute gem. It’s already noted down for next time I’m ordering work from RedBubble. A “must have” – and such a wonderful gesture to donate your income from this.
Ian James, 6 months ago

Cool shot…..very well captured.
Michael Rowley..., 6 months ago

ha ha what a classic shot,great title to match brilliant thinking
Caprice Sobels, 6 months ago

amazing capture! great lighting and composition! and i love the title!
Angela Stewart, 6 months ago

Priceless image…well caught!
Hagen, 5 months ago

Brilliant!
Chloe Flathers, 5 months ago

so cute! love it!
brion, 5 months ago

LOL LOL :))) Great shot!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the caption too!!!!!!!!
Lisa Putman, 5 months ago

So precious! I love your description. I often think the animals have more of a clue, than people realize!
Shannon Paskaruk, 4 months ago

very very cute and lovely story!
Dragomir Vukovic, 4 months ago

love it !
bertspix, 4 months ago

Great picture…great story…I’ll give you a high 5…Bert
LisaR, 4 months ago

Fantastic shot!
Mundy Hackett, 4 months ago

Erin he is still as cute as ever!
Paul Scarsella, 4 months ago

very funny – you have been mooned!
mlgkats, 4 months ago

this is a great capture , and he is really adorable
GerryMac, 4 months ago

LOL fantastic capture Erin!
desginbynicole, 4 months ago

Thats cute!
adgray, 4 months ago

YES! Go Bonobo Ape!!
and whoever says we are not related to apes should be mooned too!
Bravo both of you!
Him for mooning and you for understanding! [and catching it!]
AuntieJ, 4 months ago

The story makes the photo even funnier!
Linda Syms, 4 months ago

Wonderful capture
Michele Duncan..., 4 months ago

Great capture. Wonderful tight framing and I get it too. I would send this to people you don’t like. lol
Jean M. Laffitau, 4 months ago

LOL!!! Fantastic shot!
Gerguppy, 4 months ago

some people just have the a right ass to get away with this….monkeys are ppl too!
ECGardner in reply to Gerguppy’s comment, 4 months ago

Bonobos aren’t monkeys, they’re apes. :P
Gerguppy, 4 months ago

i was just testing you :P
Matt Halls, 4 months ago

Haha….classic picture and great timing..so very well done!
Wesley Picotte, 4 months ago

Wonderful image. Curious ~~- was this shot in B&W originally? Love the tones -~~ really nice!
mrmc714, 4 months ago

wow – you are national geo – great stuff
Glenn Alderson, 4 months ago

This has to be one of the best captures I’ve seen for a long time, well done!!!!
AnaCBStudio, 3 months ago

hehe…this is cute…great capture
Dennis Gay IPA, 3 months ago

G’day ECG,

This one makes me break out into a chuckle and a big grin every time I see it and that is a very good sign that you have made a great photograph that tells a good story, entertains and holds such quality as to make a big impact.
I am assuming the tight composition of the sides was due to the bars of the cage and forgive you for that mainly due to this very fine photograph being so darned good.
I appluad your clever use of B&W as I get the feeling that the young oragutan’s fundamental orifice would not look very attractive in all its natural glory.
Good exposure, focus and tonal range.
What a cracker!

GB
Dennis
clintharris, 3 months ago

This is very funny.
nansy, 3 months ago

god this is funny :P
Stephen Colquitt, 3 months ago

V cute
Globalphotos, 3 months ago

Aww he’s so gorgeous, lovely capture and a great anecdote :)
ajax, 3 months ago

This is so funny. You just want to do it back and see who gives in first,probably get arrested pretty quick {>:
amarica, 3 months ago

Too funny, well done
Linda Mullner, 3 months ago

Beautiful work Erin!!.. Love this!...You are soooo Talented!... :o)
tess1731, 3 months ago

LOVE IT !!!!!!
Darren Burdell, 3 months ago

That’s made me laugh! I bet we all wish we could just do that sometimes…D.
frozenfa, 3 months ago

LOL!!! great one~ heheheh.. wish i can do that for some people too.. XD
amjaywed, 3 months ago

When I saw bonobos for the first time I could not believe how small and ganglier they were in comparison to chimps! A really fascinating species and a great shot.
funkyfacestudio, 3 months ago

Oh this is so darling !
MaryK, 3 months ago

Good going fella!!! Love the shot!
redmuffin, 2 months ago

LMAO
Neil Johnson, 2 months ago

REally great shot! This is a funny photo and also such a great capture! All your photos are really brilliant shots of wildlife! You frame them so well and in their natural state it seems.
budrfli, 2 months ago

:O) some people just don’t get it do they? high five!
DragonsBlood84, about 1 month ago

Awww he is so cute. We used to have an oragnutan at the Adelaide Zoo who did this and used to copy everyone. It was sweet and this guy is such a cutie
MetalDragoness, about 1 month ago

This is so funny, and wonderful. I love the story that goes with it. And people always look at me funny. I talk to animals and can spend hours with one animal at a time. I think they know. Who is tolerable and who is not. Clearly we know what he was saying. And it is wonderful, he deserves a high 5. Excellent image.
Liv Stockley, 15 days ago

Excellent, what a fabulous folio you have got, :-)