This collection is the second part of of this year's African adventure. This collection is from trekking the jungles of Uganda to visit the Chimpanzees in the Kigali National Forest and the Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In each case, the bands we visited had been carefully habituated to humans over several years so we were permitted to be astoundingly close to them. This is part of a program to encourage eco-tourism to support preservation of these endangered primates. As a result, poaching has been reduced significantly, and the population numbers of both species are slowly on the rise. The Chimpanzees we encountered were quite high up in the trees, with the exception of one young male who dropped down and posed for us. In the two days of trekking the Gorillas, we met a singular family group each day comprised of a dominant Silver Back male, a number of females and immature you males, and in each family one very you baby Gorilla.

To look into the eyes of these individuals is to see clear intelligence and, fortunately for us, tolerance of our presence. A gift.

The sound track for the Collection is "Improvisation" from Season of Changes by Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band (used under fair use rules with no claim to any rights...)

Enjoy

Jeff