We had an excellent opportunity to take some close-up photos at the zoo today. Several animals were very cooperative and willing to sit still so that we could take their picture. All of these were taken through glass, but with that, I am glad that they turned out as well as they did.

First up is H.N., a 31 year old Chimp.




Then we have a grizzly bear soaking in his creek.


Next is a close-up of an Abyssinian Black and White Colobus.




Finally we had the Ocelot, which I misspoke in an eariler post and called her a bobcat.


I think I may have a few more, but those will have to come later.

The second shot of the chimp - looks like he is in deep thought "I wonder what I can throw at that guy with the camera?......"

The bear has the right idea, seems to look pretty content.

Since we are unable to get to the lighthouses right now, I am enjoying the challenge of trying to get "perfect" shot. With the zoo just about 10 miles from here, we can go just about anytime.

Here are a few more.

One more Ocolet.


Cougar... This one didn't come out as well as I hoped.


These are birds are called Laughing Lookaburra's.

Great shots, Stephen! H.N. looks like a wise, old man to me. Thanks for letting us take a look at these wonderful animals!

brilliant pictures...
those two birds look like they are having an interesting conversation

Cute Pictures, Steven! Love the ones of the BIG
cats! I think I need to take a trip to the zoo in Tampa.

I live in a condo complex on a bayou and a lake that flows out into the gulf. The complex backs up to a nature preserve. I am a Realtor and the other day I was out taking pictures for my MLS listings and I was amazed at the number of birds that I saw.
I had not been that interested in birds, but I started taking pictures and I got so involved that I spent much more time than I intended. i got great pictures of a gray heron, a white ibus and een a roseate spoonbill! I had to go buy a bird book to know what they were.
Photography is becoming almost as addictive as
lighthousing!

Kay, you live in a fantastic place! I'm surprised that you are just now becoming a bird photographer; that area sounds great for birding! Now you will have to post your pictures for us.

Stephen, this is kind of like Wild Kingdom, revisited. But without Marlin Perkins....

Neat pictures, thanks.

Here are a couple more from today.

These first two are of H.N. He is 31 and is the Alpha male of the group. They are crops of larger photos, and when cropped, I changed them to black and white, since there was very little color in the photos as they were cropped. Do these work for you?



This one is my favorite.


This is T.R. A female, and I think that she is Christina's favorite.

T.R. is precious, but those shots of the wise, old man are terrific! He and the second b/w are my favorites. Thanks, Stephen!

I LOVE those black and white pictures.
They are twice beautiflu for me.
First I love black and white photography and second I kove portrait photos - human or animal
Those two are great examples of both!

Love all the shots, especially the big cats!
HCS