Paw-parazzi: A photographer snaps Wilbur and Wilma at the pool, in the mountains and on the moon
Nov. 3, 2021
![a stuffed wilbur and wilma wildcat near a fabricated "a" mountain and fireworks](https://cdn.uanews.arizona.edu/s3fs-public/styles/uaqs_gallery_thumbnail/public/Wilbur-Wilma-Fireworks_0.JPG?itok=WbLv0yOM "A fleece blanket becomes "A" Mountain as Wilbur and Wilma take in Independence Day fireworks.")
In his quest to find the coolest place on campus, Wilbur stopped by The Scoop at the Student Union Memorial Center.
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Wilbur dreamed of being an astronomer, not a mascot, but he settled for a trip to the moon.
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Wilbur sports a stylish hat and goggles during a day at the pool.
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Wilbur practices summer safety by keeping an eye on the temperature and drinking plenty of milk.
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When Wilbur is listening to tunes poolside, a tasty flamingo can swim by undetected.
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![a stuffed wilbur and wilma wildcat near a fabricated "a" mountain and fireworks](https://cdn.uanews.arizona.edu/s3fs-public/styles/uaqs_full_width_lg/public/Wilbur-Wilma-Fireworks_0.JPG?itok=IHgsTzYN "A fleece blanket becomes "A" Mountain as Wilbur and Wilma take in Independence Day fireworks.")
Wilma loves a good fireworks show, but Wilbur prefers more relaxing activities, like crowd-surfing across Zona Zoo.
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Thanks to dozens of tiny props and plenty of wire and glue, photographer Chris Richards is imagining an exciting life for Mr. and Mrs. Wildcat.
While it can be tricky to get the perfect shot with human subjects, these particular versions of Wilbur and Wilma present their own challenges. Since the stuffed animals he's using are not posable, Richards has used a combination of tape, wire, safety pins and glue to position them how he wants. And because one set piece toppling over can take other pieces with it, setting up the photos can take a lot of patience, which, Richards admits, is not his strongest suit.
All photos by: Chris Richards/University Alumni and Development