They are just like kids—when they don’t want to do something, they won’t. I’m talking about the zoo animals. Remember, I warned you that since I’m a zoo member now, I would be going there more often. The Tuesday group went there recently, and the animals were not cooperative.
I could see the lion looking out the door of its interior enclosure, but she didn’t come out. The red panda stayed behind the bushes since it was busy eating. The snow leopard was too close to the front of her cage so the lens couldn’t get passed the bars and the orangutans were nowhere to be seen. I could go on and on. But you do take your chances when you visit the zoo.
However the pelicans put on a show when they tried to get a duck out of their swim spot. The gorillas were grooming each other, and an unusual duck walked by.
Through this, I’m learning a valuable lesson—patience! To get great animal pictures you have to watch and wait. I hope to apply this to all my shoots. I’m at the point where I want to take my photography from good to great and the zoo is a wonderful place to practice. I’m also hoping the new, used lens I just ordered will help me have that patience and see it pay off!
These guys believe in cleanliness.
Sometimes it’s a stretch to get the yummy parts.
Overlooking her domain.
She’s thinking about coming out.
Look straight into her eye.
The leopard finally got back further in her cage so I could get her.
Here she is again.
The beauty of the flamingo.
Baby ducks.
Most of the other flamingos were on the other side.
Sometimes things are not what you think them to be! We found this to be true in Fresno, California. Typically thought of as a farming community in a not so well off county. We expected a small town with little to attract tourists. Boy, were we wrong!
Fresno really impressed us. There was much to do and enjoy. The town has grown and will continue to grow. There was only one disappointment: The Tower District which is supposed to be the hub of Fresno night life complete with the iconic Tower Theater. We went there during the late evening, hoping to catch some of the sights before dark. Then I wanted to shoot all the neon that the brochure pictured. The Tower Theater was not well kept and dirty, and after the fourth police car went through, we decided to leave.
But everything else was as promised and enjoyable. I’ll probably post a large amount of images just to get through the highlights. You’ll see sights from the Old Fresno Water Tower, downtown Fresno, the Forestiere Underground Gardens, the Shinzen Japanese Gardens and Fresno Zoo. That was all we had time for. And, yes it was hot there. So, we went out in the mornings and evenings.
Take a look at Fresno, and find out more about each place by visiting the links.Because, sometimes you can be surprised!
The zoo has a tropical bird aviary.
Some are parrots. I don’t know what this bird’s name is.
Playing coy? Beautiful colors.
I think these are not kangaroos but a close relative.
A momma Galapagos tortoise and her baby.
Watch out emu (I think), I’m catch up
Another Mom and babe.
Beautiful colored duck.
This bird is called a screaming something. He makes a horrible and loud noise.
My artsy version of one of the two tigers.
The regular version.
The lake at the Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden.
This is the only bloom we saw.
Another bud.
It’s okay, peacocks can’t read!
Waterfall at the garden.
A garden walkway.
A statue in front of the Fresno Court House.
I’m pretty sure this is a parking structure.
Finding a new purpose for an old but beautiful theater.
The work on this building is magnificent.
The front. It is now for rent for various projects and shows.
Wall art.
Another theater that is re-purposed.
The entrance to the Forestiere Underground Gardens.
Pomegranate outside and before we go underground.
The entrance to the residence from the ballroom.
A walkway between various rooms
Trees were planted and grew up towards the light.
The door and dinner bell.
The owners bedroom. You can see by planting the trees and letting them reach the light, the entire place had light.
The kitchen.
The Old Water Tower.
It is now an art gallery and tourist attraction. Just beautiful inside.
It’s not big as far as zoos go, but that’s the beauty of it. You can get around the Sacramento Zoo in about 2 hours–more if you have children with you. You know kids like to snack and play at the playground.
Marlene and I went to the zoo to shoot (gently with a camera) the animals. I had taken the grandkids there a few weeks before and discovered you’re either a grandparent or photographer! However, we were surprised by the bus loads of school kids there on a Thursday morning. It made shooting a little more difficult, but it was fun to watch the children as they reacted to the animals.
So we walked, talked and shot the zoo’s inhabitants. It may be small, but it’s mighty.
This bird has a strange neck. Sort of cute.
I had fun shooting the flamingos.
This is classic flamingo.
Shh. Someone’s sleeping.
Got an itch? It takes a long neck to scratch it!
The pelicans are asking for food.
But, we’re encouraged not to feed them.
We had to make noise to wake this lion up.
Monkeys choosing who will eat first.
The winner.
The zebra was hungry and photogenic.
I loved the hair tuft.
I couldn’t zoom in enough to get rid of the cage, but just look at this bird’s eye. How colorful.
This bird has an unusual head. The cage is partially gone.
An anteater.
This giraffe was trying to get a leaf from the tree. He needs a longer tongue.
Is he embarrassed?
Maybe, but he’s beautiful.
A red panda.
We finally got him to stand up.
A snow leopard.
Gorilla.
When we arrived at the orangutan enclosure, they were all inside. Finally this one came out with a tarp.
He played with the tarp for a few minutes and then went back in.
The wildest animals of all: Left, Marlene and Right, Anne
While visiting the Sacramento Zoo, I found that if I zoomed in close enough, the wire cages would disappear.How regal.Look at those teeth!Almost time for a nap. What fun!
The lion helped me out and showed me how he cleans his paw. Much like a house cat!
