Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Beauties and Cuties

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!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

I love this place: The Sacramento Zoo

The Sacramento Zoo is a favorite of my Camera Totin’ Tuesday group. Why? It’s close and the animals are fun to photograph. We’ve been back often enough that we’re beginning to learn their names, learn their behaviors, and watch the babies grow.

Baby giraffe Rocket is almost as tall as his mom now. Too bad he won’t be staying at our zoo. Yes, we learn all about what’s happening! The little Red River Hogs are almost as big as their parents, but not any more cute. And, we’re getting a new tiger soon.

I say “we” because most of my group are members. As members, we get monthly newsletters and advanced notice of any special events. But, I also enjoy going to the zoo because it helps me perfect my photographic level. I’m doing much better with the F/4 300 mm lens now. It alone weighs 3 pounds! I carry it on a monopod. Sometimes I also take my Nikon D3100 with my 18 to 140 mm lens so I can get a better angle on the giraffes and flamingos. The F/4 is excellent at getting through the enclosures. Sometimes I have to stand way back!

Now that you understand more of why the zoo is featured so much in this blog, meet the animals!

I love the connection between the parrot and trainer.
My first shot of a wood duck.
Here’s another gliding through the water.
Dad is gathering nesting material.
Mom sits on the nest.
It’s not often that we can get a shot of the jaguars. This is the male–I was told!
Shh, don’t wake the sleeping lion.
This was the first time I saw the male snow leopard. He’s thinking someone looks delicious!
I’ve never seen an emu either.
Finally, one of the orangutans came out to play.
The zebra close up. With my lens there’s no other way. I did crop in post processing.
Here’s one of the red river hog babies.
I had to stand far away to get this flamingo.
Here’s little Rocket. Okay he’s not so little.
Here he is with his mom.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 3 Comments

Here kitty, kitty: Sacramento Zoo

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.