Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Short visit to the Sacramento Zoo

It’s July 4th in the United States–Happy Independence Day to all who celebrate. This evening we will celebrate with friends and enjoy viewing some fireworks from their hilltop viewpoint. While my meatballs are cooking in the crockpot, I thought I’d share just a few pictures from the Sacramento Zoo. The zoo is remaining in Sacramento and not moving. I don’t know exactly why, probably a money issue.

Here are a few glimpses of our new giraffe. She’s growing fast, but still seeks out her mother.

The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, is asking to be let back in to it’s shelter. Is it people shy?

Our new lioness is grooming herself. I believe they are keeping the new lion and lioness separated for now, only having one out at a time.

We have a new leopard, a clouded leopard. Named because the spots resemble clouds.

I started this post with our youngest giraffe, and I’ll end it with a close relative-the okapi. This is probably the second best picture I’ve gotten of one of them. They are just beautiful.

That’s it for my brief excursion to the zoo. Stay safe and live in gratitude!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 51 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #285: Warm Colors

Welcome Egidio! I absolutely love your choice of Warm Colors as your first challenge because I enjoy the warm tones over the cool tones. So, let’s get started with my examples.

Up first are zoo animals. the giraffe and orangutan are my favorites. They are so expressive. The orangutans are playful, and the giraffes make such funny faces.

My next image is of a squawking cormorant with his yellow beak wide open. I wonder what he’s saying!

I enjoy photographing covered bridges. This one was recently redone. Its shingles are warm colored, blending in with the natural surroundings.

Cool in temperature, but warm in color are the Luray Caverns in Virginia.

You never know what you’ll find when you’re driving down a country road! But you know in October you’ll find pumpkins.

Finally, who says warm colors can’t be photographed at night. This image taken in Old Sacramento has warm written all over it.

Thank you Egidio for challenging us with warm colors during Sacramento’s damp, overcast and rainy weather. When you post your response to this challenge, please remember to link your post to Egidio’s and use the Lens-Artists tag. I enjoyed seeing your days and nights last week, especially the comparisons. Next week I will be challenging you, so stay tuned.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 23 Comments

Before the heat hit: Sacramento Zoo

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!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 47 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #196: Humor

“Why did the camera stop dreaming about a career in photography? He couldn’t remain focused.

What did the woman think about her friend who was a photographer? She wished someone would shutter up.

Why did a man always rave about how great his digital camera was? He couldn’t think of any negatives.”

From the Kidadl Team

This week, guest host John of John’s Space has challenged us to post images of humor. It’s not that I don’t have a sense of humor–I do but it’s mostly sarcastic. So do I usually take humorous photos? No, but I do find some situations funny, especially at the Sacramento Zoo. If you go to a zoo enough, you’ll find the animals either look funny or are in funny situations. The following are examples.

Are these flamingos fighting, kissing, or what?

And, what message is this snow leopard sending? Is he smiling?

I’ve never had a lion stick his tongue at me before!

Watch out this orangutan is getting ready to kiss someone!

The okapi have beautiful markings on their rear ends, but maybe this one didn’t like my taking a picture of it!

This zebra is just taking care of an itch, maybe!

I’ll end with the giraffes. They have such expressive faces.

What are you smoking?
Please eat with your mouth closed.
That’s some tongue.

Thank you John for helping us find some smiles in today’s tense world. As you answer this challenge, remember to link to his post and tag Lens-Artists. And thank you everyone for joining in on last week’s colorful challenge. I enjoyed seeing and reading all your responses. Next week Tina will lead our challenge. Be sure to stay tuned.

 If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, just click this link and join us: https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/about-lens-artists/