Gorilla 9-28-2014

I captured this gorilla portrait on a warm afternoon along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The silverback was resting quietly in an open clearing, surveying his territory. Getting a clear view through the lush tropical enclosure can be tricky, but he positioned himself cleanly in front of dense greenery, offering a great natural framing.

The image captures a powerful silverback gorilla crouched in a seated posture in a grass-covered forest opening. His broad, muscular chest and thick dark fur are rendered with crisp detail, leading into the distinct gray-toned hair along his back and legs. Lush tropical bushes and sunlit tree branches frame him on both sides, creating rich depth and natural contrast.