Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Comfort food needed: Sacramento Zoo & WPA Rock Garden

I’m still not moved. I’m still frustrated. I need comfort food. I went to the Sacramento Zoo. I love that place and haven’t been there since January. You never know what the animals will be doing.

One of the snow leopards was pacing in the enclosure, the mighty lions were asleep on top of their new platforms, the wood ducks were hiding, the new flamingo babies were finally placed with the grown ups, the orangutans were hiding, the wolf guenon exhibit and tiger exhibits were closed, the red river hog babies are almost full grown and the wallabies were finally letting me take good pictures. A gal can miss a lot in a few months!

Yes, the animals put me in a better mood, so did one young lady destined for stardom. I took her picture with her mom’s permission.

After the zoo, we went to shoot at the WPA Rock Garden for a few minutes. It was great to get out with my camera and away from the move.

A crested screamer sitting on her nest.
I don’t know what kind of duck this is, but it posed nicely!
Baby flamingo in the large enclosure.
Baby showing off.
Oh my, shedding his beak–normal, but not happy.
Baby blowing bubbles.
Red Panda got up from his nap, but briefly.
The Wallaby.
Eye on the Snow Leopard.
It was a difficult morning for this tiger.
This young girl had it all together!
Now at the WPA Rock Garden.
The sun was high in the sky.
Made shooting a little difficult.
But, you work with what you have.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Freedom: Sacramento Zoo

Eureka! I can finally handhold my camera and F/4 300mm lens. This is great because putting it on a monopod was difficult to carry around the zoo, which I love to visit. I was using the monopod because the weight from the sling was too much for my shoulder. So the grandma came up with an idea. I would carry my camera like I would a baby and keep most of the weight off my shoulder!

It worked. At a recent visit to the Sacramento Zoo, I was able to support the camera and lens without hurting my shoulder. I was also able to focus and keep the camera/lens steady. The only problem is the difficulty shooting a giraffe with the 300mm! So, I brought along my tiny point and shoot camera.

I’m finally free of the monopod. Here are some of my captured results.

The male Snow Leopard was out.
The Red Ppandas were napping.
The male Lion was cleaning up after eating his bone.
A white-handed Gibbon.
A Wolf’s Guenon
The Orangutans enjoy playing with blankets.
An adult Flamingo.
One of my favorites, a Pelican.
A Crested Screamer
The Eastern Bongo was coming towards us.
A close up of a wood duck.
The baby flamingos were hatched July 30, 2017.
They come out each day, and are growing up.
They are loved by the children.
The young red river hogs are growing up too.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 3 Comments

A bicycle built for two and the Suisun Wildlife Center

I wish I had my camera with me when Gem and I were walking this morning. We saw a senior couple riding a bicycle built for two! When was the last time you saw one? It’s been a wicked long time for me. And, the fun part was they were talking about this and that, maybe enjoying the ride–maybe not. Yes, I do wish I had the camera. But how to take a quick shot while walking the dog and suddenly cyclists come within view. Do you say, “Please stop, I’d like to take your picture?” I guess that’s what I would have done.

But I did have my cameras at one of this past weekend’s outing to the Suisun Wildlife Center.  Through the help of their all-volunteer staff, and donations this center offers assistance to injured and orphaned wildlife in Solano County, California. While many animals are cared for, we were able to take photos of birds and reptiles during our visit. Handlers were at various stations and we were allowed to take as many images as possible within a two hour period. We didn’t need that much time since there were only five birds and three snakes. That was my only disappointment. But, that meant there were less animals needing help.

Most of the birds we shot were permanent residences at the center. They were unable to be re-introduced into the wild because of broken, malformed wings or missing an eye. What struck me was the caring of the volunteers and the response of the animals. The birds, in particular, seemed to bond with the staff.

Since it was a short morning, my photo buddy and I stopped at the Vacaville Outlets to do some shopping. If I do this outing again next year, I would plan another photo op to round out the day. Not that I didn’t enjoy shopping. I did find a plastic knife that I’ve been looking for.

And, yes, all my pictures were shot on RAW. However, the only program that seems to be able to open them is Lightroom. I tried to open one with Photoshop and PE, but was not able to. If you can tell me why, please do!

My, this has been a rambling post, starting out with a bicycle built for two. Maybe they will be riding tomorrow. Should I bring a camera just in case?