Oh my, we were late in getting to the Sacramento Zoo and the small parking lot in William Land Park was almost full. And, the big yellow school busses were dropping off school aged kids. It was going to be a tough day of photography! I’m guessing the big cats already enjoyed their bones, because the ones that were in their enclosure were just about to nap.
One cheetah had begun to rest when the other one came over and this happened.
When we got to the giraffe enclosure, Cheyenne, the new young giraffe was out in the yard. What a treat!
Older giraffe eating.
All in all, it was a pretty good morning at the zoo after all. Next we went to the WPA Rock Garden, and I’ll show you that in my next post.
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!
I enjoy going to the Sacramento Zoo. I’ve gotten to know the animals and their habits. There are new animals, and I’ll introduce them later. There are successes and trials when photographing zoo animals.
I know I’ll not be able to capture a meercat with my camera because they just keep running, at a good speed, along the perimeter of their enclosure. Well all except the lookout who stands still and just keeps turning its head looking for danger. Plus it’s a glass enclosure and you need to photograph through children’s hand prints.
The flamingos are a favorite because they are beautiful and have fun personalities. Sometimes they fight and sometimes they show affection.
While we’re in the pond, there is one white pelican–another favorite of mine. This was the first time I saw him eating.
One of the new arrivals is the largest rodent in the world (says a docent)–a capybara.
The orangutan was not being cooperative, but I got a decent picture anyway. The zebras were doing their usual eating. The red river hog and kangaroo were also reluctant to have their pictures taken.
The lioness was posing beautifully while her mate was peaking out from under a bush.
The red panda was grooming itself before napping and I was able to catch it with eyes open before it rested it’s head. The mongoose lemur got back from it’s cage far enough for me to photograph through the wires.
The cheetahs were being exceptionally difficult. They did not want to sit still, turn and face the camera and stay the proper distance from the enclosure fence. I asked the keeper to talk to them, but I don’t think she did!
For me, going to the Sacramento Zoo is like seeing old friends. You get to know some animals by name, you learn their behavior and watch their babies grow. My camera group decided since the zoo was open again, we needed to visit. Right now you just can’t go to the zoo on a whim. You need to go online and buy your ticket for a specific time slot. Even though I’m a member, I still have to reserve a time slot. They can only let in a certain number of people at a time for each specified slot.
So, we were at the zoo at 10:30 a.m. Fortunately, the large cats were still awake, having eaten their bones. It was a Thursday–bone day!
There’s a certain innocence about animals. We see it in our pets and we can also see it at a zoo. I enjoy going to the Sacramento Zoo, because it’s small and we can learn a lot about animal behavior. They are still maintaining small capacity attendance and requiring masks. That helps me feel more comfortable during my visit.
It’s also great to see the changes like the birth of a new Giraffe. Her name is Glory, and she is adorable. Here are a few pictures. In the first one she is claiming her mom. I’ve titled it: This is my mommy! In the last image, giraffe blends into giraffe.
The resident Pelican is one of my favorites. Some time ago, a keeper said they were going to send him to another zoo. So far they haven’t. I’m happy!
It was bone day at the zoo, so it was easier to photograph the big cats as they gnawed on their treats. The Lions and Jaguar were still and easy to photograph.
We all get sleepy after a big meal and the Snow Leopard is no different. What a big yawn!
Flamingos are beautiful, but they can have their disagreements.
The Orangutans were playful and a delight to photograph.
The Okapi are especially handsome with distinctive markings.
Of course I have more pictures, but we’ll save those animals for my next zoo visit. Take care everyone!
For the past year, or more, I’ve used my F4/300 lens when going to the Sacramento Zoo. While it’s great for getting through cages and shooting the big cats, etc. up close, I’d have to stand a block away to get a whole giraffe in the shot. So, when Marlene, Linda and I went to the zoo recently, I decided to use my 18 – 140 mm lens. No close ups for me that day!
It was a great experience. I concentrated on the ducks, ducklings, and othe small animals that were not caged (just behind enclosures). It was a totally different zoo experience. My gear was lighter to carry, and I didn’t get as tired.
I’m not giving up on that great heavy F4/300 lens. It does a wonderful job at getting through the cages and showing the detail on the animals. Maybe when I get back to the gym, I’ll have the upper body strength to carry two cameras.
I hope you enjoy this zoo experience!
I think this is one of the young flamingos. His feathers aren’t so orange.
I’ve never been able to get this type of shot.
Okay, this is typical. I just couldn’t resist it.
This Comb Duck is resting.
Up and at it.
I think this is a young Wood Duck or a female.
This duckling is so cute!
I call this one Blue Eyes. I’ve never been able to get through his enclosure without showing the fence.
This White-Handed Gibbon says “Let me out!”
I could get the entire Orangutan in the shot.
Or get up closer.
And watch him eat lettuce.
Finally a Red Panda that got off a branch!
Now for the giraffes.
My that tale tastes good.
Sometimes the tongue gets stuff stuck on the tip.
He finally got the entire piece in his mouth.
The march!
Somehow I got this Jaguar. I’ve had a difficult time getting him with the long lens! Opportunity and timing!
It wasn’t supposed to be a journey’s end, but it was. We were going to take a day on our way home, from Sedona, to drive through Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks, but I fell on the way to Bakersfield. It’s amazing how people rush to help when you have gray hair! I’m okay–just a couple scrapes, one big bruise and a sore shoulder. With that happening, I decided it would be best to head home.
Yes, I’m disappointed because those National Parks are my favorite. I’ll try to get there in the fall. In the meantime, I want to show you a little of the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. This isn’t like a safari park where you drive through and the animals are walking about. This park is a sanctuary. On this trip, we saw a small animal show, a tiger swim and play show and rode through an area where the animals roamed free. You’ll see from the pictures that these animals are very used to humans, especially the giraffes! The zebras can become a little testy!
Tuzigoot is a National Monument of Native American ruins. When you see the small rooms, you’ll wonder what the Southern Sinagua tribe would think if they saw our large dwellings! We decided not to visit their other dwellings, Montezuma Castle and Well, because we saw them during our last visit.
Caterpillar Point  was our last stop on this trip. It was a rocky stream bed, some small water falls and lots of wildflowers including a century cactus bloom.
Take a look at our last two days before we ended our journey and headed home.
The Tuzigoot ruins. Each one of these sections was a family dwelling.
Not only were they on the top of the hill, but on the slight slope.
Here is a stairway.
Looking down on more dwellings.
This little guy still lives here!
This parrot was part of the small animal show at Out of Africa.
I don’t remember what this one is called, but he sure is cute.
Again, I can’t remember this guy’s name either.
I know this one–a tiger. The park has a pair of siblings. But just one performs in the water show.
I just couldn’t focus through the fencing to make it disappear.
This is the tiger that loves to play with toys and in the water.
The toys are inflated and held at the end of a long pole. The handlers could pet the tiger, but do have to be careful during play.
We also attended the snake show. Yes, this is one snake. I had volunteered to enter the grass area where the show was.
Imagine wearing this when you go out for the evening!
Now we are on safari. They gave us celery to feed the giraffes. They don’t get along so one can’t be in the safari area.
Here one is eating a piece of celery.
The zoologist gives him a cookie.
And gets a kiss in gratitude from the giraffe.
The zebra is anticipating receiving a cookie.
Ope wide! The zebras are not as polite as the giraffes, so we were not allowed to feed them.
Here are the wildflowers at Caterpillar Point.
The bloom from the Century Cactus. I’ve never seen one in bloom before.
I have a bird book, but not a wildflower book. I think I’m satisfied to enjoy nature’s unamed beauty.
Slow Shutter Speed 