lion – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on July 4, 2025July 4, 2025 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 May 17, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 41 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #349: The First Thing I Thought Of

I know I’m not first to tell you the great news that Beth of Wandering Dawgs has joined the Lens Artists Challenge team. She’s been a long-time participant and has done a lot of travelling. I’m sure she will be giving us exciting challenges. In other not so great news, Patti will be on hiatus until November. She broke both her wrists and has a difficult time typing or holding a camera. We wish her a speedy recovery.

In this week’s challenge, Tina wants our immediate reaction to a picture we are about to take, or it can be the first thing we think about a photo from our archives. She’d like us to concentrate on humor–yes we can all use some of that these days. So here’s my attempt.

Orangutans at the zoo are so entertaining. I’m sure they think we are too!

A lion’s yawn can seem awfully menacing.

**Why did you wake me up?? You know I get cranky!**

Birds offer a different type of humor.

Someone left a hat behind.

And what does the bull say to the cowboy at the rodeo?

**If I told you once, I’ve told you twice. GET OFF MY BACK!!!**

We do need humor these days. Thanks Tina! I’m looking forward to see more from all of you. When you post your pictures, be sure to link back to Tina’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we found peace with Egidio’s challenge on Serenity. I’m presenting the challenge next week so who knows what will happen! In the meantime, stay healthy and live in gratitude.

Posted on October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 29 Comments

A great day at the zoo!

It wasn’t just a great day at the zoo, it was an exciting day! Why? I was able to see and photograph our new lion Slamson II. The lion enclosure had been empty since both lions died; Kamau in June 2023 and Cleo in October 2024. Cleo passed at age 19 and was one of the oldest lions in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African Lion Species Survival Plan population. Slamson II came to the zoo via a partnership with the Sacramento Kings basketball team, whose mascot is a lion called Slamson.

He’s been kept from public view all these months. But, now he’s ready to meet his adoring fans.

Next, I was excited because the Red Pandas were active. Usually, they are sleeping and, if I’m lucky, I get a picture of their face when they lift it. This time I could see their entire body as they walked from tree to tree and feeding area to feeding area. And I’d watch out for their claws!

Oh, then there was the Zebra who, I think, was on a time out. Usually they are just eating. But this one wasn’t.

And the White Rhino was out and eating, which he does most of the day. Also the African Pancake tortoise was eating.

The Orangutans were also eating. They would grab a head of lettuce from a plastic box and start chomping. I’m thinking we arrived during breakfast.

The Cheetahs, having finished their bones, were prowling their enclosure.

One cutie that I was able to photograph through plastic is the small Meercat. Of course we want children to come and enjoy the zoo. But they do leave little hand prints on the plexiglass. This time, I got lucky.

Let’s end this visit with the beautiful Okapi and the Black Crowned Crane. The cranes had been out from public view because of the bird flu. It was good to see this beautiful bird again.

I had a great morning. As you can tell from my images, the sun was harsh and presented some problems. But nothing could dampen my spirits after seeing the new lion and the Red Pandas out and about.

Until next time!

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 52 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #260: Overlooked

While looking through my archives for this week’s challenge by Janet of Sustainabilitea (who wants us to post images of things others may normally overlook or something you think other people would overlook), I found images that I was lucky enough not to overlook and some that presented a surprise! So I’m twisting the challenge a bit to show you some images that I’m happy to not have overlooked. I hope you don’t mind Janet.

I didn’t even notice this bee flying into this sunflower until I processed it. I guess I overlooked it completely!

When I walk, I try to look down for small creatures, but I am delighted when I find a colorfully textured log.

I do like trees. When I looked up at this tree, the sun was in the perfect position for me to catch a sunburst.

I’m not a very patient person, but I’m glad I kept my lens out the car window just a little longer just in case this cormorant took flight.

And sometimes we just get lucky. I was watching this goat when he got an itch.

I’m so glad I looked up and saw this restaurant ceiling because a few days later it burned down and all was lost. Sometimes we are meant to be where we are.

This one was overlooked by my photo buddies. I even pointed it out to one, but he didn’t take the shot. It’s all subjective, isn’t it! Can you see the ferris wheel reflection in the restaurant window?

One picture I never overlooked or missed an opportunity to take was of Kamau the Lion at the Sacramento Zoo. He recently passed away at age 16. RIP Kamau.

Thank you Janet, this was fun even though I twisted the challenge a bit. When you post on this challenge, please remember to link to Janet’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag. I totally enjoyed Dan’s Unbound challenge and all your posts and interpretations. Thanks to all our July guest hosts. Next week the team returns with Ann-Christine leading the challenge.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info.

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 18 Comments

It’s all happening at the Zoo

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!

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.

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 27 Comments

Testing a new lens: The Sacramento Zoo

I had two motivators for visiting the Sacramento Zoo recently. 1. I was gone for almost a month and hadn’t seen the new baby giraffe now named Cheyenne and, 2. I wanted to test out a new lens. With my Nikon, I had an 18-200mm lens which was a perfect walk-around lens. Unfortunately, Fujifilm doesn’t make a lens with that type of zoom. Recently Tamron came out with an 18-300mm lens for Fuji and Sony. So I bought the Fuji mount. The only drawback is its lack of an aperture ring on the lens. I was told that I could assign that function to the front dial and use the top dial to change the aperture.

When I purchased the lens, I was told that Fuji would make the switch automatically and when I put my Fuji lens back on it would revert back. I played with it while at the zoo and didn’t quite do it correctly. I ended up with sharp but noisy images. Thank heavens for Topaz!

The zoo didn’t disappoint. The cheetah was walking around; not running.

The red panda was walking the branches instead of sleeping.

The giraffes were being giraffes. Have you ever seen a two-headed, six-legged giraffe? We did get to see Cheyenne, but she was behind a fence and quickly went back inside with her mother.

The river otters were in their hammock.

And the lions were preparing for a nap.

One of the Okapi was out eating.

I almost forgot the alligator.

So, this was my morning at the zoo with friends Marlene, Laura and Ray. It’s good to be home and doing photography with friends.

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Anne Sandler · 25 Comments

An accidental one-lens walk: Sacramento Zoo

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.

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!

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #226: Textures

Guest host Jude of Cornwell in Colours picked the perfect challenge for me because I love textures. I don’t mean the nice blended textures you put behind your subject ( Which I can’t do yet!). I mean the texture of your subject. We are drawn to color and texture.

For instance I love the colors of rust and its gritty texture. You’ll notice as it ages, the colors change and the metal degrades, adding to its beauty.

I also find texture in old non-rusted metal. This old worn large propeller from a ship shows lines and textures when photographed close up. You can just feel how its been worn during its use.

Each year Sacramento hosts Chalk It Up where artists draw with chalk or liquid chalk on a sidewalk square. The grit of the sidewalk and chalk create a texture no other canvas can duplicate.

A lion’s mane has texture although you wouldn’t want to get close enough to feel it!

Wood is another favorite texture of mine. It can be tree bark or siding on a building. It draws you in with its variation of color and natural design.

Last, plants give us the feeling of texture in their form, color and shape.

There are many more examples of texture, but I’ll stop here. Texture is all around us. Take it in, feel and experience it. Thank you Jude for helping me realize how important texture is to photography. When you respond to this challenge, please remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Thank you all for responding for my challenge last week. I enjoyed learning about your amazing local wildlife. We saw birds, foxes, porcupines, bears, deer, squirrels and some small insects and bugs. It was great. Next week Tina will be leading the 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.

Posted on August 18, 2022 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 April 25, 2022 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.

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/