They are still cats, just bigger and more ferocious if you get on the other side of the fence! Camera Totin’ Tuesdays went back to the Sacramento Zoo. Some children were back to school and it was too early for classes to take their zoo field trips so it was not crowded. And, the cats were active!

I’m still learning the lens and how to shoot through the fencing. I used my F/4, fixed 300 mm lens. This lens is proving to be more difficult than I thought. If I stand close enough to get through the fence, all I get are the animals heads. If I move back, then I can’t get through the fence!  Zoom lenses do have an advantage. I got better results at a lower F/stop, meaning wider aperture. Photography is such a learning process.

I did bring my small point and shoot to get some wide-angle shots. Next time I go to the zoo, I hope not to wake up so early that I’m tired. Then I’ll carry my 3100 also for the photos that my long lens can’t take.

I realize that I still have much to learn and will be returning to the zoo soon. Here are some of the cats and other animals I shot that morning. They are good. My followers always tell me that I’m too picky with my images. But, I know I can do better.  I’ll let you know when I’m ecstatic with my zoo images–in all CAPS!

And, we did call to them saying, “Here kitty, kitty!”

When we first got there, Misha, the snow leopard, wasn’t ready to come out.

Kamu, the male African lion, was wide awake.

The lioness, Clio, was resting.

And, she was cleaning her paws. The young cats were not out.

Later in the morning, Clio plays.

Mother Wolf’s Guenon and her baby. I think the baby is nursing.

The baby.

Misha is out and yawning.

I think this is the Azure Winged Magpie. My first successful attempt in getting through the cage with a bird.

I couldn’t ID this one. Bird’s tend to sit near the cage, making it impossible to get the cage to disappear.

This flamingo needs a napkin.

Rocket, the baby giraffe. He’s old enough to be out with the herd.

Rocket and his mom and dad.

The Red River Hog family. The babies have grown since my last visit.

Lemurs tend to be right near the cage.

Shooting them is tricky.