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Views:	2879
Date Taken:	2008-Jun-16 21:19
Date Uploaded:	2008-Jun-16 21:19

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maggie

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#gallery d4706176-638d-4bcb-b9dc-82f287c00bc7

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Description

This is Maggie. Maggie is an orangutan. Maggie is also ill. I always feel a little... unsettled.. in the zoo, especially with the camera. When I saw Maggie lying with her face right up against the glass of the indoor enclosure not three inches from me I figured I'd hit photography heaven though (even if I *did* forget the circular polariser.. duh..). At first I was very unsure - am I treating this ill, intelligent primate as a sideshow attraction to be exploited for my own personal enjoyment? Then I thought, she *is* intelligent - you can see it in her eyes. I'll appease a slightly guilty conscience with the thought that if she didn't want to be looked at - to have contact - she would have gone to the back of the enclosure where there was plenty of privacy to be had. Perhaps she was missing the rest of the group?

Comments

# by Marcus on 2008-Jun-16

Wow - fantastic shot!

# by Danu [Deleted] on 2008-Jun-16

Most unusual zoo shot I've possibly ever seen. Brilliant shot & very interesting description!

# by DarrenG on 2008-Jun-16

Stunning shot Sinead and a beautiful description. I know someone who volunteers at the Zoo and the animals are very well looked after and hopefully Maggie will get better soon.

# by PunkRock on 2008-Jun-17

Same as Darren....

# by Vinny on 2008-Jun-17

Beautiful shot, I feel the same when I go to the zoo. A friend of mine has a shot of a guerrilla in Dublin zoo using a twig as a key in the door of his enclosure, leaves you in no doubt as to their intelligence and feelings towards captivity!

# by jackie on 2008-Jun-17

Super shot

# by sinead on 2008-Jun-17

thanks all - I like this one :)

# by keithjack on 2008-Jun-18

Great shot

# by alison on 2008-Jun-19

fantastic

# by ancatdubh on 2008-Jun-19

Fantastic Sinead! I don't know anything about the right or wrong of the 'in captivity' thing but you certainly would be very cold if you didn't feel some guilt in respect of the creatures in captivity (if even for their own sake!). Some seem fine but others like Maggie appear to be more free spirited than what enclosures tend to allow. The sadness for some of them is palatable (if animals feel sad?). It is probably a larger ethical question as to the right or wrong - However detach all of that from your photography as there is no exploitation on your part but a gracious sharing of the moment. That'd be my take on it. Cheers.

# by Valentia on 2008-Jun-21

That's just wonderful Sinead ;-) I share your reservations and have been promising myself to break my self imposed 15 year ban on the Zoo. I believe it has changed a lot since I watched that poor elephant sway like a Romanian orphan. I still feel the sadness and anger. This is a very special photo though. Fair play!!

# by PunkRock on 2008-Jun-22

ancatdubh of course animals feel sad!

# by Ken Folan on 2008-Jun-22

Fantastic photo - if you hadn't mentioned a zoo I would have thought it was taken in the wild. Just the best shot I've seen of any animal (primate or not) in a long time

# by sinead on 2008-Jun-23

Thanks again all :)

# by leinsterman on 2008-Jun-23

lovely shot Sinead ... this taken with the new baby ? ;-)

# by sinead on 2008-Jun-23

Nah - the trusty 50 1.4 :)

# by haxelrm on 2008-Jul-02

its a great pic well done

# by NIKONDAVE on 2008-Jul-04

a picture telling so much... beautiful

# by Angel on 2008-Jul-06

fantastic image..

# by Ian Flavin on 2008-Jul-07

Wow! 'nuff said.

# by John Finn on 2008-Jul-14

Superb shot, Sinead.

# by DangerMouse on 2008-Jul-15

Only one thing to be said about this: WOW!!!

# by danbol on 2008-Jul-29

I don't know what to say........it's fantastic and also sad picture. Great shot!!!

# by muttzer on 2008-Aug-07

WOW. what a heart warming picture. it almost bring a tear to my eye.

# by lukaty on 2008-Aug-08

Love the dark tones, excellent picture

# by sinead on 2008-Aug-15

Thanks again all. I think I'm gonna have to get this one printed and framed :)

# by Hask on 2008-Sep-02

You should, it's a beautiful shot!

# by kpmaqua [Deleted] on 2008-Oct-09

Poignant & sad. Nice description.

# by smurphette on 2008-Dec-16

Excellent, excellent shot!

# by dibergim [Deleted] on 2009-Jan-01

Pretty untouchable this one. Unspeakably good.

# by James on 2009-Feb-25

Fantastic shot! i wonder could you give the zoo money to treat her and make her better!! once again.........GREAT SHOT!!!! :)

# by MickS on 2009-Jun-11

This is an incredible photograph Sinead. Just incredible. I like that you gave some insight into how the shot came about and some info on Maggie too. Animals in captivity is wrong, full stop!!!

# by sinead on 2009-Jun-13

thanks again all. I still love this shot so much...