Paparazzi
September 26, 2022 by Anthony -
Jamie is always aware of what the humans are up to and doesn’t shy away from sharing her opinions.
I love Jamie’s dominant personality and respect her autonomous attitude, but satisfying her desires for choice and control is a continuous challenge given the limitations of her captive environment. I am grateful that her outspoken honesty provides some insight into how she perceives her world, allowing us to tailor our caregiving to her preferences. Not all chimps express satisfaction and displeasure quite like she does, accepting a new piece of enrichment with a deep grunt or telling us not to close a door by waving her arm at us. This candid rapport between Jamie and human is extremely beneficial when we engage the chimps socially; Jamie can say “go ahead” or “not now” in her own special way and still be understood.
Jamie demonstrated her forthright demeanor as I was photographing the chimpanzees in her wing of the facility earlier today. I saw her sitting on the bench in Front Room 4, a small indoor area with a good amount of natural light. I saw that she had a single raisin daintily held between her lips and approached to take some photos. Before raising my camera to my face, I pointed to the bulky device and politely asked “Can I take your portrait?” I’m not sure if Jamie understood my request word-for-word, but she nodded eagerly in response. I pressed the shutter over and over again as she patiently stared back into the curved glass of my 85mm lens for what felt like minutes. We exchanged another friendly nod before I moved on to a different location.
I passed Jamie’s perch again as I circled back to the foyer and presented the camera to her again. This time, she ignored my inquiry and just stared back. I had just lifted the viewfinder to eye level with my finger and taken the first two exposures when Jamie suddenly threw her arm up in my direction. I took it as a casual but clear signal that patience for my creative exploits had waned and her participation in the photo shoot was over.
If you’re wondering where Jamie got the raisin…
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It never ceases to amaze, surprise and delight me just how smart these beautiful animals are!
Even though I’ve seen loads of picture of the group members, it was nice to read the backstory of these particular shots of Jamie. Thank you.
Ahhhh, the simple pleasure of sucking out the last taste of sweetness from a passed over raisin board raisin. What a scrumptious find!
As Kelsi wrote a few posts back, Jamie is the coolest!
There is a wonderful intimacy that occurs between the photographer and the subject when you look through the lens of a camera. Something very magical. You can see, and feel, Jamie’s trust in you just by her relaxed-calm-cool-manner, her eye contact, and her body language. She is looking directly at you! With Jamie, her eyes express….everything! Who needs words?
Beautiful images, Anthony!! Thanks for letting me see Jamie’s amazing face today.
We are merely satellites allowed to orbit around the planet known as, Jaime. Lucky us.
agreed!:rofl:
As Kathleen wrote above, thank you, Anthony, for letting us see Jamie’s amazing and beautiful face once again today. I hope that you will show her your photographs of her.
And, to Jamie, her friends and neighbors and caregivers on (the expanding) Young’s Hill, I wish her and all of them and you a happy new year of 5783. I don’t know if honey is on the menu at the Sanctuary (it is easy to imagine Burrito having some decidedly sticky fingers), but hopefully this Rosh Ha Shana will be find chimpanzees and cattle alike enjoying some fresh apples as a portent, one hopes, for a sweet new year. L’Chaim!.
Thank you, Anthony, for these wonderful images! How delicately she continued to hold that single raisin! Her eyes seemed to shift from curiosity at the beginning to soulful presence and just being with you while you clicked away. What a chimp woman, what a privilege to share in her life through your eyes and lens, Anthony.
some folks have it—some folks don’t…………….run a tight ship, Jamie…..
Indeed, the chimp people are amazingly communicative and smart. I love them so much!!
She really hung on to that raisin for a long time, Anthony!
‘Fess up! You took that hand/feet pic for Kelsi, didn’t you!?
i am always so amazed and in awe.
I love her!
Anthony, you did a great photo shoot of Jamie! It is so interesting that she communicates likes and dislikes to the staff. every day we learn something new about the incredible family of Chimps.
This photo of Jamie with the raisin so delicately held between her lips is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize in Photography.
:joy:
OK so I was in a rush to read several days worth of blogs. Now that I look back I should explain my laughing smilyface. I was laughing that Jamie had TOTAL control over you Anthony LOL
Amazing photos and blog Anthony. Thank you!