Posted on by Anne Sandler · 11 Comments

Doing the happy dance: Back to the zoo

You know I wasn’t entirely happy with my last set of zoo pictures. They were okay, but I wanted improvement. The first step to the happy dance came from Leanne Cole, amazing photographer and friend. She told me to focus my lens manually. Great idea, but I didn’t know how! This F/4 300 mm lens is old, and is not like any I’ve owned. Worse, it didn’t come with a manual.

When I bought it, I showed it to veteran photographer Tom. He checked it out and said it was a good lens and great buy. (It was still within the 90 warranty.) When I realized I couldn’t figure out how to work the lens properly, I asked Tom to join me at the Sacramento Zoo for some instruction. It was a great morning of shooting and fun.

I now know how to focus manually, what the limiter is and more. And the result was amazing. Thank you Tom and Leanne.

I’m now doing the happy dance. See for yourself.

 

It was bone day at the zoo.
All the big cats were given bones to chew on.
The lens got me very close.
A 300 mm on a crop sensor camera is like 450 mm.
This is the first time I’ve seen the tiger.
This is little (not so little) Rocket. So cute.
There are also pretty flowers at the Sacramento Zoo.
Pardon me, I’m climbing over!
He was finished with his bone. The female then picked it up.
Getting close and personal with a Wolf’s Guenon.
Getting further back with another Wolf’s Guenon.
This Ciquerel’s Sifaka climbed to the top of the enclosure.
This one is looking up.
I couldn’t ID this bird in the pond. But, I guess it’s easier to drink from the water bowl.
This might be a Mongoose Lemur that’s wondering what his hands are for!
The pacing Jaguar. This guy just kept pacing in the back of his enclosure, not stopping. I was lucky to get this, but I’m not sure it’s tack sharp.

 

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 3 Comments

It’s all happening at the: Sacramento Zoo!

Getting to know you–at least getting to know the animals at the Sacramento Zoo. I and others from the Camera Totin’ Tuesday group bought zoo memberships. That means I’ll be practicing more and having more zoo fun throughout the year. And, you’ll be coming along with me.

We got there when they opened during this trip and the large animals were active. The lions and their three cubs (teenagers now) were going in and out of their enclosure. I didn’t get to see the leopard, but got a shot of the jaguar.

The giraffes are always a favorite. I need to spend more time there during my next visit. We tend to go to shoot the big cats and spend more time in front of their enclosures. I also had fun watching the orangutans and gorillas.

The birds were tough to shoot in their enclosures because my 300 mm wasn’t enough to make the cages disappear. And, always, the flamingos are so beautiful.

Enough talk, here’s the first session of zoo animals from my year’s membership. I’ll be getting to know them better–by name!

Here’s dad enjoying his domain.
Siblings at play.
Here comes a cub.
Watch out.
Licking his chops.
Baby wallaby
Zebras. It’s breakfast time.
Up close and in black and white.
Pelican. Preening.
Flamingo. If the pelican can do it, so can I.
Jaguar. Here’s looking at you.
Gorillas. Let’s have a talk.
Yes, you have a pulse.
Orangutans. No I don’t want to discuss it!
This giraffe is hungry.
What’s the other giraffe eating?

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Talking with the animals: Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, California

It’s not big as far as zoos go, but that’s the beauty of it. You can get around the Sacramento Zoo in about 2 hours–more if you have children with you. You know kids like to snack and play at the playground.

Marlene and I went to the zoo to shoot (gently with a camera) the animals. I had taken the grandkids there a few weeks before and discovered you’re either a grandparent or photographer! However, we were surprised by the bus loads of school kids there on a Thursday morning. It made shooting a little more difficult, but it was fun to watch the children as they reacted to the animals.

So we walked, talked and shot the zoo’s inhabitants. It may be small, but it’s mighty.