A trip to the Melbourne Zoo is always a ripper day out, especially if you get a yearly membership by tue third outing its paid for, but there's something about seeing orangutans that just sticks with ya. Maybe it’s the way they move, like a wise old bloke who's seen it all, or maybe it’s their human-like eyes that make you wonder what they’re really thinkin'. This time, the experience was made even better by the fact that we caught a glimpse of one of the big fellas bein’ called out by name—Maurice.
A Curious Mob in Monochrome
There’s somethin' magic about black and white photography, especially when it comes to capturing animals. Stripping away the colour lets you focus on the textures, shadows, and expressions. And let me tell ya—these shots really brought out the personality of Maurice and his mates.
In the first photo, Maurice stands on a wooden platform, his long, shaggy coat flowin’ down like he’s wearin’ some kind of rockstar jacket. He’s leanin' down, lookin’ at somethin’ on the deck—maybe a bit of grub, or maybe he’s just inspectin’ the state of the joint. With the ropes, fences, and old timber around, the whole scene feels a bit industrial, like he's some grizzled old tradie takin' a smoko break.
The next few snaps show him out in the yard, surrounded by climbing frames, ropes, and wooden posts. This isn’t just any enclosure—it’s a proper orangutan jungle gym. They’ve got everything they need to swing, climb, and explore, and Maurice seems to be makin' the most of it. In one shot, he’s hidden amongst the scrub, almost blending into the environment like he’s tryin’ to avoid an early morning start.
