Sacramento Zoo

First Stop for Photos!

Have been fortunate to visit the local Sacramento Zoo a few times since January.  My staff gave me a year pass to visit and I intend to enjoy every visit and meeting of these amazing animals!

The first exhibit I wanted to capture with my new camera and tripod was the orangutan’s. Main reason being I knew there is no fence or glass between us, so it’d be easy to shoot.  Had to laugh, my friend overheard someone say, “They are so human like!”  Well, yes that is true!

Momma always said, "Don't show your food!"

Resting in the sun, far away from the observation area…

Afternoon Relaxation

The friend above is a Bongo Antelope–never heard of that before.  Native of Africa.

My previous visit, I did not have a long lens with me–so it was wonderful to use my 70-200 when viewing the Flamingos…

Looking at you!

What fascinated me the most about being able to view them up close–is the way they were eating their food in the water.  Their beaks are submerged and upside down as they scoop up morsels.

Wonder if they get a headache if they eat/drink too fast?

Another wonder of the zoo is visiting the large cats.  A head shot of a Lion…

What nice fur you have!

The trick in shooting the lion images were to focus on the animal far away and not on the large fence that separated us from one another.  This was with my new camera and if I wasn’t careful in auto-focus, I got this instead of the majestic lion.  Happy to share my Non-examples to help anyone else learn.  Good thing to be humbled by my camera–makes me want to learn more!

Wrong focal point! Lion in the far background.

The Giraffes were a bit reluctant to come out for their moment of fame.

Just checking out what is outside my "home."

Another view…

Portrait View

A moment of posing for a non-zoo resident!

Relaxed and Ready to move!

Check out Andy’s work at http://www.blueturban.net

"Let sleeping cats...lie."

A bit of flowers as well to enjoy our very late blooms of spring.

Just one bloom

Pink and white blooms, finally!