Waiting

I took myself to the zoo for an hour or so this afternoon. Usually, I don't have the strength of heart to visit the primates, because they feel like my cousins or something. Anyway, I went today. This seemingly unhappy fellow was sitting in the corner, wrapped up in his swing. Oh, dear. At least, the St. Louis Zoo is doing lots of good partnering, research, fund-raising and awareness work surrounding the endangerment of these gorillas in the wild.

His gaze was unsettling to me.

Anyway, thanks as always for taking time to visit. I appreciate each one.

[Danette Thompson]

It definitely is unsettling.

[Graeme Stevens]

Superb.

[Jane Pittenger]

Boy do. Ever agree. Great capture of his expression

[Kerri Michaels]

love this!!!!! fav

[Lisa Poland]

Fabulous! He doesn't want his picture taken. I love the St. Louis Zoo. Sure do miss it.

[Maggiemae]

When you look at the face - there is an expression that comes from intelligence! Super picture! fav

[Babs]

Aw this looks so sad. I wonder what these gentle giants think when in captivity.

[gloria jones]

Great shot, lighting...he looks like he's having a bad day or maybe just tired of everything. Seattle's Zoo is a natural habitat zoo and the animals are well cared for but I am still conflicted on caging wild animals.

[Rosie Kerr]

@seattlite Thanks, Gloria. I am highly conflicted on this topic... to the point that I am troubled by visiting this section of the zoo. I do appreciate that you stopped by. :)

[Martina]

This is stunning!

[Joyce]

I love the detailed expression you've captured Rosie.

[Marnie]

Fantastic shot Rosie, you've captured his/her expression so well and the colours are stunning. Fav.

[Pam Knowler]

Stunning capture of this grumpy gorrila! What an expression! Fav!

[ChristineL]

Great image

[Debs Stott]

Love the detail you have caught in his face. He doesn't look to happy.

[Kane Arlow]

Fantastic portrait. It does seem that he is looking at us through the lens. There does seem to be a bit of sadness there. And I can really understand your reluctance to visit that part of the zoo.

[Myrna O'Hara]

OMG this is cool!!

[Leslie]

he does look so human .

[Jocasta]

It's a wonderful photo but he does look sad - I know what you mean about them feeling like cousins. FAV

[Hazel]

Makes me feel like giving him a cuddle....

[Christopher Cox]

Great portrait

[Bob Zwolinsky]

It's the look.

[Jerri]

wow, you really got him looking right back at you...very intense!

[PTP: Past their Prime]

So expressive...
@snaggy

[KWind]

I'm not a big fan of zoos... he looks so sad.

[Nick]

You've captured him looking quite sad. He looks very thoughtful too - very intelligent.

[Taffy]

It's an incredible portrait of what looks to be a reflective, but sad, individual. I have the same reaction in the primate areas and rarely visit there -- I did to a portrait about 2 years ago of a gorilla and yours makes me think back to that proud fellow behind the glass. I think the movie, Planet of the Apes, is hard to forget once seen!

[Rachel]

He looks so human when you look closely into his face, it is disturbing. I always feel sad to see large primates in zoos, and he doesn't look happy about it either.

[Je77rey]

What a face

[Daisy Ditch ⊰✿]

The expression is haunting. A life of living in a concrete cage being viewed constantly will probably do that. Great shot though and you have captured the moment very well. A photo to be remembered.

[Kim Harper]

Hopefully he's not as sad as he appears. Hard to see such large primates in such small areas. Good t keep the big picture in mind I guess.

[Sally Ings]

My first thought was that he's grumpy! I am not a fan of zoos but I understand the need for them. Living where I do I have access to large game reserves where one can see animals in their natural habitat. In the past when I have visited a zoo I didn't like going to the ape houses.