These are some shots taken on a recent trip to Uganda. They were taken of the mountain Gorrliias in Bwindi national park.

We got to withing about 2 meters to the gorrillas - what an experience. The light conditions we difficult to say the least and the gorrillas were in heavy vegetation

Gerry

Silverback

Sure looks like a great experience. The last one of the adult is my favorite in this series - I might be tempted to crop off a bit of the green leafage on the left side of the photo and put more emphasis on the face.


Ken

Great pics of a great experience.

How safe for travelers is Uganda right now?

Greg

Nice captures and what an experience!

Garen

Mr Zoom wrote:
Sure looks like a great experience. The last one of the adult is my favorite in this series - I might be tempted to crop off a bit of the green leafage on the left side of the photo and put more emphasis on the face.


Ken

Hi Ken,

I'm in two minds about that - this is another shot, one with a very tight crop for exactly that reason. The foliage was very dense and almost impossible to avoid. Still, well worth the experience.

Gerry

Greg Matty wrote:
Great pics of a great experience.

How safe for travelers is Uganda right now?

Greg

Hi Greg,

I felt very safe. An Irish passport obviously helps, but the country felt safe and at no point did I feel I was watched, tracked or in any way targeted. We stayed in the south and I've heard anecdotal evidence that the extreme north is not so safe.

I plan on going back next year!!

Gerry

GAREN wrote:
Nice captures and what an experience!

Garen

Thanks Garen

Lovely series Gerry

must have been a wonderful experience....

Lil - - taking a break from her cleanup job after the firestorms - - so no picks... sorry

Lil Judd wrote:
Lovely series Gerry

must have been a wonderful experience....

Lil - - taking a break from her cleanup job after the firestorms - - so no picks... sorry


Hi Lil,

It was great - I found the trek tough going - a mix of altitude (3000m) temperature round 35C and not enough time in the gym. Still worth it though

Gerry

Gerry,
What a great experience...
You did a nice job considering the challenges of the Impenetrable Forest. It is amazing that you could approach them within meters.
cheers,
bruce

Gerry, this must have been such a neat trip!!! To be able to see such magnificent animals such as these in their native habitat is wonderful gift! I really like these images and think that the last shot of the first three is my favorite. Looks like he is brushing his teeth.

Gerry,
Wow, this close to a silverback and family, that too on foot. Amazing, unique pictures !!

kiran

OwlsEyes wrote:
Gerry,
What a great experience...
You did a nice job considering the challenges of the Impenetrable Forest. It is amazing that you could approach them within meters.
cheers,
bruce

Thank you Bruce.

I felt I should have done better, but hey, thats a good excuse to go back

Gerry

Brenton Biggs wrote:
Gerry, this must have been such a neat trip!!! To be able to see such magnificent animals such as these in their native habitat is wonderful gift! I really like these images and think that the last shot of the first three is my favorite. Looks like he is brushing his teeth.

Hi Brenton,

One of the things that struck me watching them is how little they were bothered by us. There was a group of 8 of us with about 5 guides/rangers. When we found the gorillas (did I mention the 4 hour hike !!!!) all but one of the guides backed off. We were not allowed to use flash and were limited to 45 minutes contact with. Towards the end of the 45 minutes, they moved under some trees to sleep and this was the only time they really interacted with us and that was to warn us off and stop us following them any more

Gerry

kirry007 wrote:
Gerry,
Wow, this close to a silverback and family, that too on foot. Amazing, unique pictures !!

kiran


Thanks Kiran,

I'm already planning a return trip next year. Although I might go to Rwanda this time - hopefully the terrain is bit easier

Gerry