Pretzel's learning curve...

D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Pretzel said:
Had such a FANTASTIC day! Day off in the middle of the week, so decided to take the boy to the zoo and have some dad/son time and a chance to get some pics. It was HOT! 86 and humid when we got there, 94 by the time we left, but that combined with Wednesday meant we saw about 12 other people there the whole day. Made it nice! The MAIN priority was me and the boy, but I had the chance to shoot a few pics too... A lot of the animals were hiding out in the heat, and quite a few were inside buildings, so I was cranking the ISO to get handheld shots with the 70-300.

Here's a few of 'em for your enjoyment, and I'll upload more in the days to come. As always, I'll try to save what I feel is the best for last, LOL.

"Zoo: a project in black and white"

These guys were worn out from the heat, but a little patience FINALLY earned me a shot at one that came out to grab a bite for lunch... This is the only edit that I'm not FULLY satisfied with, as I need to get rid of some of that open space at the top, but I'm tired! ;)

View attachment 50040

I've always loved the big parrots, and this large scarlet was a beauty.

View attachment 50037

I never spotted the sign that told me which bird this was, but it stared at us with one unblinking eye the whole time!

View attachment 50038

These fellows were allowed to roam free inside the rainforest exhibit (as were the two birds above), so I caught a few shots of different ones here and there. I'll add a couple more tomorrow.

View attachment 50039
Click to expand...

Love the zoo shots. I go to the zoo here at least once a week. Is a great place to get some exercise in during the week it is just me and the young mothers with their preschoolers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Pretzel said:
Had such a FANTASTIC day! Day off in the middle of the week, so decided to take the boy to the zoo and have some dad/son time and a chance to get some pics. It was HOT! 86 and humid when we got there, 94 by the time we left, but that combined with Wednesday meant we saw about 12 other people there the whole day. Made it nice! The MAIN priority was me and the boy, but I had the chance to shoot a few pics too... A lot of the animals were hiding out in the heat, and quite a few were inside buildings, so I was cranking the ISO to get handheld shots with the 70-300.

Here's a few of 'em for your enjoyment, and I'll upload more in the days to come. As always, I'll try to save what I feel is the best for last, LOL.

"Zoo: a project in black and white"

These guys were worn out from the heat, but a little patience FINALLY earned me a shot at one that came out to grab a bite for lunch... This is the only edit that I'm not FULLY satisfied with, as I need to get rid of some of that open space at the top, but I'm tired! ;)

View attachment 50040

I've always loved the big parrots, and this large scarlet was a beauty.

View attachment 50037

I never spotted the sign that told me which bird this was, but it stared at us with one unblinking eye the whole time!

View attachment 50038

These fellows were allowed to roam free inside the rainforest exhibit (as were the two birds above), so I caught a few shots of different ones here and there. I'll add a couple more tomorrow.

View attachment 50039
Click to expand...
Great photos mate, we call those birds Curlews here in Aus.

Bush Stone-curlew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
...a few more from the B&W zoo series...

Although he's awkwardly looking over one shoulder, this guy is still one of the most majestic creatures on the planet.

Zoo22.jpg

I had to shoot this guy inside and through glass. I was lucky enough to catch him under one of the skylights, but had to edit out a few blemishes/smears from the window.

Zoo19.jpg

Then, as discussed previously, a couple more of the free-roaming lizard shots.

Zoo8.jpg

Zoo11.jpg

Still more to come!
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
"Zoo" in B&W continued, and switching to a couple of aquatic friends who enjoyed (?) their close-ups?

The sea lion, on a 94 degree VERY humid day... she was just laying at the edge of her pool, soaking up the sun in pure bliss.

Zoo20.jpg

When I told her what a lovely lady she was, she tossed her nose into the air with a very snooty air!

Zoo27.jpg

I came across this pair of river otters next, and let me tell you, they love to MOVE! Catching a good close up with a 300mm, even VR, was a challenge! The 1st didn't seem to mind being the center of attention...

Zoo2.jpg

...but I'm pretty sure THIS one just mean mugged me. Guess he doesn't like wildlife paparazzi?

Zoo24.jpg

Still more to come!
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Zoo in B&W, part 4

You would think, being at a zoo and all, the turtles would be used to people gawking, etc., but every time I wandered up to get a shot of these guys (in one of the open ponds), they would disappear with a splash. I had to practice my ninja skills to finally catch them from WAY far away! ;)

Zoo6.jpg

To boost my ego, I used those same ninja skills to get right in the face of this tortoise. For some reason, it was much easier. :victorious:

Zoo4.jpg

...then off we wandered, until we came across this lazy fella slowly creeping about.

Zoo3.jpg

and closing today's post, one of my favorite little critters of all time, the poison dart frog. There were dozens of them out and about in the rainforest exhibit.

Zoo9.jpg

Still MORE to come!
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Ok, y'all might be tired of B&W zoo shots, but I've still got some more. ;)

It was so hot, even the Rhinos were takin' a break in the shade!!

Zoo18.jpg

These little critters were doin' what came naturally, though, and didn't seem disturbed at all by my flash (I did ask the zookeeper first!). It kinda creeped out my son knowing that these were allowed to fly free in the rainforest exhibit we were in... LOL

Zoo7.jpg

This little fella was loose in an indoor aviary, I don't remember if it was the forest building or the desert, but he really had a HIGH level of curiosity. He kept diving at my sunglasses, trying to grab them and take off. They were a bit heavy for him though, as he was smaller than a sparrow. It made for some fun antics and laughs though, and he decided to take a rest VERY close (so he could keep an eye on my shades), so I got a great shot!

Zoo21.jpg

Ok, this wasn't really an exhibit, nor is it an "animal", but we spotted this web weaver (and a few doomed mosquitoes) hanging out in one of the empty exhibits. Too cool to pass up.

Zoo17.jpg

STILL MORE TO COME! :cool:
 
Marilynne

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Pretzel said:
Ok, y'all might be tired of B&W zoo shots, but I've still got some more. ;)


This little fella was loose in an indoor aviary, I don't remember if it was the forest building or the desert, but he really had a HIGH level of curiosity. He kept diving at my sunglasses, trying to grab them and take off. They were a bit heavy for him though, as he was smaller than a sparrow. It made for some fun antics and laughs though, and he decided to take a rest VERY close (so he could keep an eye on my shades), so I got a great shot!

View attachment 50586



STILL MORE TO COME! :cool:
Click to expand...

Nice shots. He was probably trying to attack the bird in your shades.
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Yet more... Today, I give you a set of "tougher" captures.

To start, a direct shot of one of the grizzly bears at our zoo. The glass was FILTHY (you can see it in the background), and for some strange reason, they have high walls everywhere around his enclosure, so I had to find a spot in the corner, stand with one foot on a bench and another pushing off of a nearby wall, then streeeeeeeeeetch for this shot. It came out fairly decent, I think?

Zoo23.jpg

Then I circled all around this guy's enclosure, and he kept making sure all I got was a nice shot of his tail end. I finally snapped a quick shot of his face before he disappeared behind his stable.

Zoo25.jpg

This was inside the rainforest exhibit, another free roamer, but it was hard to catch a handheld shot in focus with the poor lighting AND the constant motion. I took 5 or 6 shots and got 1 decent one.

Zoo26.jpg

...and I had to shoot this lazy kitty through some thick glass. Finding the right angle to avoid all the smears was a challenge.

Zoo15.jpg
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Pretzel said:
Yet more... Today, I give you a set of "tougher" captures.

To start, a direct shot of one of the grizzly bears at our zoo. The glass was FILTHY (you can see it in the background), and for some strange reason, they have high walls everywhere around his enclosure, so I had to find a spot in the corner, stand with one foot on a bench and another pushing off of a nearby wall, then streeeeeeeeeetch for this shot. It came out fairly decent, I think?

View attachment 50757

Then I circled all around this guy's enclosure, and he kept making sure all I got was a nice shot of his tail end. I finally snapped a quick shot of his face before he disappeared behind his stable.

View attachment 50756

This was inside the rainforest exhibit, another free roamer, but it was hard to catch a handheld shot in focus with the poor lighting AND the constant motion. I took 5 or 6 shots and got 1 decent one.

View attachment 50755

...and I had to shoot this lazy kitty through some thick glass. Finding the right angle to avoid all the smears was a challenge.

View attachment 50754
Click to expand...

The thing I like about my Zoo is that they are getting rid of all the glass and concrete. Almost all the enclosures now are open and natural protected as necessary by fences only when necessary.
 
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Zoo in B&W, Take 7...

One of the things you DON'T want to encounter in the wild! The contrast of this rattler in B&W made for pure beauty, though... Had to shoot this guy through glass and behind a bit of dead grass.

Zoo14.jpg

...and some more bats. Hey, how can I resist close ups of BATS? Now, for some reason, I believe the zookeeper that told me they only let the males fly outside of the enclosure. ;)

Zoo31.jpg

Then, after a return trip, a couple of the siamangs away from the wall where I butchered the 1st shot. 1 posing on a log in the sun for me, and the 2nd... well... just hangin' around.

Zoo28.jpg

Zoo29.jpg

And GUESS WHAT!? I've got more... :cool:
 
Last edited:
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Cool if I post some more B&W zoo shots?? :cool:

A crested pigeon (very majestic) shot through glass... loved this guy's eyes!

Zoo33.jpg

Then one of the sleepy yet wise sort... (see at the end of this post, below, for a bit of fun I had shooting him!)

Zoo32.jpg

Had to shoot this one creatively through glass as well, but caught the African penguins playing in the sprinkler!

Zoo37.jpg

Then, not so much an exhibit as it was a shot of opportunity. On the walk in front of the lion exhibit, I happened to catch mama sparrow patiently feeding a squawking junior that was just as big as she was!

Zoo38.jpg

Now, the fun I had playing with focal points in capturing the owl above. I took these next two shots on purpose to create a little mini-lesson/motivational bit on my FB page, and it kind of demonstrates where I came up with my "moniker" for the fun photo projects I take on, "Selective Focus". Sometimes, the only difference between beauty and ruin is what you choose to focus on!! :cool: :cool: :cool:

Focus1.jpg Focus2.jpg
 
Last edited:
P

Pretzel

Senior Member
Time to mess with flamingos in B&W, or as we call them (rather cheesily), Flaming O's.

1st, the baby! He wasn't pink at all, but rather a fluffy gray.

Zoo34.jpg

Not quite as graceful as his grown counterparts. It's interesting to watch them use their beaks "upside down", but it really makes sense they way they're built.

Zoo35.jpg

Caught this one stretching and showing off the colorful wings of the flaming o. Happened to be in a bit of sun just on the edge of shade, so gave an interesting effect to the photo.

Zoo36.jpg

IMPOSTER!!! Oh, wait, never mind... this crane just happened to drop in on one of the many ponds in the area, so of course I had to stop and snap a pic. I don't think he minds if his legs are a little shorter as compared to his pink (distant) cousins.

Zoo43.jpg

See y'all with more tomorrow!
 
Marilynne

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Pretzel said:
Time to mess with flamingos in B&W, or as we call them (rather cheesily), Flaming O's.

1st, the baby! He wasn't pink at all, but rather a fluffy gray.

View attachment 51114

Not quite as graceful as his grown counterparts. It's interesting to watch them use their beaks "upside down", but it really makes sense they way they're built.

View attachment 51113

Caught this one stretching and showing off the colorful wings of the flaming o. Happened to be in a bit of sun just on the edge of shade, so gave an interesting effect to the photo.

View attachment 51112

IMPOSTER!!! Oh, wait, never mind... this crane just happened to drop in on one of the many ponds in the area, so of course I had to stop and snap a pic. I don't think he minds if his legs are a little shorter as compared to his pink (distant) cousins.

View attachment 51111

See y'all with more tomorrow!
Click to expand...

Nice shots. I'd like to see the flamingo's in color please.
 
Top