When I want to get my swan fix, yes I think they are beautiful and graceful, I go to Mather Lake Regional Park. It’s only about a half hour from my home. This lake is also a popular fishing place. Here are some pictures from a recent visit.
Now for the cuties. One month ago a female giraffe was born at the Sacramento Zoo. Right now they are taking votes to name her. Your vote will cost you a minimum of $5. (I think). On my last visit, I got there when the zoo opened and our un-named baby was out. She stayed by her mom except for a few runs around the enclosure. I was amazed at how the other adult females watched out for her. Here she is!
I have more images of other animals that I’ll show you next time. Baby giraffe will probably have a name by then. Isn’t she cute!
You can’t live in today’s world without needing a recharge. Our bodies get run down, we become tired and we emotionally need to find peace. Guest host Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyessays he turns to nature to rejuvenate and asked us how we recharge our bodys’ batteries. I love nature and landscape photography, but my immediate thoughts went to the Sacramento Zoo.
Why? The zoo is small, I’m familiar with the animals, there are new animals coming in and animals are conceived and born at the zoo. Yes, I have my favorites like the red pandas, the orangutans, the giraffes, and more. I enjoy walking around and watching the animals. Some are so funny like the giraffes when they make their funny faces.
The zoo offers a respite from the world’s troubles and lets me relax. We usually go out to lunch afterward also. And, if we have time we make a stop at the WPA Rock Garden. There I take out my macro lens for a different kind of fun photography.
Here are some pictures from the Sacramento Zoo.
Cheetahs GiraffePelican (He’s missing a wing and is a permanent resident.)Snow Leopard Red PandaMeerkatWolf’s GuenonBlack Crowned CraneDuckRed River Hog (No longer at the zoo.)Red PandaOkapiFlamingoSumatran Orangutan
These animals are fun and offer us great photo opportunities. Why don’t you chill out at a zoo near you!
I think everyone had fun with Donna’s challenge last week. I enjoyed seeing all your interpretations of TIME. When you post the way you recharge, please remember to link to Egidio’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Tina is set to present next week’s challenge so be sure to look for her post.
If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.
One lesson learned: Be careful what you challenge others to do! Recently on a Lens Artists Challenge, I encouraged participants to take a photo walk with only one lens. If that lens was a zoom lens, I suggested that they pick a millimeter setting and leave it there. Last Thursday Ray and I went to the Sacramento Zoo and I accidently put my 80 mm fixed macro lens on my camera instead of the 55 – 200 mm I usually take inside.
I didn’t notice my mistake until I started taking pictures. I decided to stay with the lens and see what how it performed. Fortunately, the zoo has put glass in some enclosures, because the lens had a difficult time eliminating fencing.
The panda was the most difficult and far away. When I was taking its picture, I couldn’t see what it was actually doing. I thought the pictures were incredible. Here are three. They are cropped in a lot.
Got an itch?Scratch it!
I’m trying to learn patience and the zebra proved that patience pays off. It was eating and then looked up. It also walked away from the food trough and proceeded to do a little tap dance!
There’s a new baby giraffe at the zoo, but she and mom were not out yet. But the macro lens did well with the others.
No, don’t stick your tongue out at me!
The jaguar was eating its bone (Thursday is bone day for the big cats.). Fortunately it was close to the glass so I could get these images.
Now for the lion. He just finished his bone and I think he’s telling us it’s tongue licking good.
I kept walking back to the orangutan enclosure, but they weren’t showing off. The only one out there just wanted a head of lettuce and was headed back inside.
So, this was my one-lens walk. It took some extra walking on my part, but I learned more about my lens and had fun!
Early this month we decided to beat the heat and went to the Sacramento Zoo when it opened. To our surprise, it was pleasant weather wise. However, the animals were being ornery. I don’t know why they turn away when they see a camera! Many weren’t in their enclosures and the nocturnal animals were sleeping early.
The orangutans were playing and eating in their enclosure. Finally one decided to turn around.
Thank goodness it was bone day, and the lions and jaguars were still gnawing at their treats.
By now we should have a new baby giraffe. I guess as soon as it gets a little cooler I’ll get down their to see him/her. The docents are hoping for a girl because she would get to stay. If it’s a male then when he gets to a certain age, he’ll be sent to another zoo.
One of the alligators was active and swimming towards the platform we stood on. He doesn’t look too friendly.
Last we have the okapi. There was only one out that morning. They are an amazing looking animal.
You’ll notice there are no flamingo pictures this time. All the birds are inside because of the avian flu. They even drained the flamingos pool. I hope they are back when we visit next. They are fun to watch and photograph.
Our zoo is planning to move to Elk Grove, a city south of Sacramento but within Sacramento County. More acreage is needed for expansion and to house the current zoo animals. But, it’s not going to happen overnight. They say the zoo will move in stages. I wonder what that would mean for the visitors and animals. Change happens!
I love our small zoo. Why? Because I can walk it and take pictures within 1 1/2 – 2 hours. But we need more land for a larger zoo. We don’t have many large mammals because we can’t house them. Right now the Sacramento Zoo is in negotiations to move to Elk Grove where the zoo could grow into 70 acres from its now 14.4 acres. That’s a lot more room for the current animals and animals to come. Aside from the longer drive time, I’m wondering whether I will love a large zoo as much as this one. That move is a few years away so let’s look at some pictures I took in my visit early in May.
Let’s look at the birds first. Where I could ID them, their names are in the captions.
One of my favorites, the Black Crowned CraneMy first time seeing this duck, the White-faced Whistling DuckI couldn’t find this one in the Zoo website.Of course,I love theFlamingosThis pelican is also a favorite. I’ve never been able to get this close. The keeper told me to watch out, he was in a MOOD!
Next we have one of the alligators, quiet, he’s sleeping! And the Chimpanzees are grooming each other.
The River Otters are in a glass enclosure which is difficult to photograph through, but they were in great positions.
It was a great day to photograph the Red Kangaroos in their new larger enclosure. They were just given something to nibble on.
The Cheetahs were trying to nap but this one kept lifting his head to see what was going on.
My last two pictures are of the Giraffe (They make such funny faces.) and the Red Panda.
Full and tired after finishing their bones, the big cats were sleeping. The Orangutans didn’t want to come out to play. The Zebras were still eating. Everything was as it should be at the Zoo. I can’t wait until I go visit again.
Slow Shutter Speed 