Thursday, August 16, 2012

Friday's Fences: At The Zoo

During their visit with us we took our granddaughters to the Columbus Zoo. This guy was up high and the evening light was fading. I was zooming in and trying to take a few photos but as he kept opening his mouth and showing us this sight we didn't stay under him but a couple of minutes. When you really look at their features they are so human like. I mean really, look at those hands!

I cropped and lightened this a bit so you could see his eyes and teeth. Usually a fence in front of something isn't always appealing but I sure was glad "Magilla" was on the other side!!!
Linking to Friday's Fences and Camera Critters.

32 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i can only imagine how bored they must get sometimes, just watching a sea of people staring at them all day.

Linda said...

fabulous fence shot!!

Red said...

I don't think this guy was too happy and you really needed the fence. At least you knew the conditions for photos was a problem and stuck with it.

Rose said...

I think he looks really sad...I would have been glad for the fence, also.

Linda said...

Glad the fence was there to keep him away!

Jan n Jer said...

They are fascinating to watch...nice shots!

Colin (HB) said...

Certainly a different fence!
Just as well gorillas don't spit like llamas, alpacas or camels, or you would have been ducking for cover!
I don't like seeing them caged this way, here they are in moat type enclosures with heaps of room or on open safari/savannah like areas where they more or less can roam at their leisure - "The Dubbo Western Zoo" is a good example.
Strange again that you have picked this gorilla and here in the papers is a report on a gorilla family being reunited after 3 years at an English "open" zoo.
They recognise members of their family by nose size?????
Great photos of I think a not very happy chappie!
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
Weather report: Nah this ain't August here, it is beach weather.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

I'd say it was a good thing the fence was strong!

Fence at Sunrise

judi/Gmj said...

the one place I won't visit in a zoo. It depresses me, don't know why.

Carletta said...

Colin,
He wasn't caged. The gorillas had a large compound to roam. He just happened to be sitting on a ledge near the fence that enclosed the area.

Judi,
I have been to zoos that I didn't really care for but I can say this one used as natural a habitat as possible for most of the animals.

Kathy said...

Human-like? Of course. Because we share 97% of our DNA with gorillas! There was a story on ABC news tonight about two gorilla brothers who had been separated for a number of years who they were introduced to each other. They immediately recognized each other, hugged, and started playing!

Colin said...

Good Carletta
Glad you clarified.
Just noted Kathy's comment above so thought she may have been an Aussie also. However, she is from Texas,USA. As I checked her blog. What she has written was exactly what I saw here this morning. It was quite remarkable.
Good to know Texans and Aussies see the same things - ha ha!
Cheers
Colin

NatureFootstep said...

sure, he/she don´t seem to appreciate it. I know I wouldn´t.

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Fantastic photography ~ Yep glad the fence is there ~ protection for all ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Wouldn't be nice if he were in his own habitat.

Vores have said...

Great pictures you took of the monkey who sees "little" sour.
Do you think that it was good that there was a fence in front.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Wish you a good weekend :)
Hanne Bente

Kim, USA said...

Hahahaha is this guy ready to spit on somebody? Nice shot!


Kim,USA

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It's actually scary and quite thought provoking to realize how human-like they are.

Mary said...

I agree...glad he is over on that side...amazing animals. Hahahaha fun scare.

Latane Barton said...

I'm glad there was a fence there to protect you. That thing looks mean.

diane b said...

They are human like but I wouldn't like to give this guy a cuddle . Kathy and Colin's story is interesting too.

Anonymous said...

They scare me to death, they're so mean looking! And rumors of the things they throw at people scares me even more! LoL! =)
They really do look quite human, tho, I know... they're so smart, too.

Pat said...

Who's watching who?

Hootin Anni said...

"Magilla"....I like that name. I don't know about you, but I've often wondered when we all visit the zoo and the apes/gorillas/chimps, etc....the ones that are supposedly human like....just what there expressions really mean....like this dude...what is he thinking?

Great photo and super great job of cropping.

Hootin Anni said...

sorry....that should be 'their' instead of there expressions.

EJ said...

I wonder what he conveys?


My Critter post, have a great weekend!

DeniseinVA said...

I sure hope they get as much fun out of looking at us as we do out of them. These are first class photos Carletta. My son and his wife went to the National Zoo and said the gorilla exhibit is one of their favorites. They are so magnificent!

Ramona said...

Great photo Carletta, fabulous to see his face so close up. I'm pleased too he was behind a fence, those teeth look sharp and his hands are huge!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Very interesting. Hopping by from Camera Critters.

Butterfly
Your comment is always a treat for me!
Have a blessed weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Great shots, Carletta! Sometimes I feel sad to see the critters at the zoo. But, some are born at the zoo and have never lived in the "wild".

Dianne said...

he's magnificent
the Columbus Zoo is known for helping animals and educating people if I remember correctly
I don't usually like zoos but I think they're a good place

DeniseinVA said...

Hey Carletta, I'm back again to thank you for stopping by and wishing son a happy birthday. So neat to know that we were in the same area when our kids were little. That would have been very cool if we had known each other back then. One of my nieces lives in Chesapeake. Hope you're having a great week.

ZielonaMila said...

Good shot! I am greeting