We took our granddaughter to the San Diego Zoo late last week. We had taken her to Safari Park a few months ago and really enjoyed it. We bought annual passes (which includes admission to both Safari Park and the zoo) and promised her a trip to the zoo in the future. We had a great time, but I prefer Safari Park over the Zoo. Safari Park is much larger and the animals live in a more natural, open habitat. I took my camera and one lens (telephoto zoom) and took just a handful of photos.
I tried to be pretty selective with my photography and avoid shooting through wire mesh cages, but I couldn't resist a photo of this big raptor. What a majestic bird!
I had to laugh as I was taking these gorilla shots. They seemed to be smiling and posing for my camera! Hamming it up for the silly human tourists!!
I should have done a better job of keeping track of the animals I was photographing. I think this is a heron of some kind. There were quite a few open-air bird displays, and it makes me wonder why these guys don't just fly away?
The meerkats appeared to be posing too. They were in an open area and the sun was backlighting their fur. Not sure why this guy had his snout up in the air!
No worries... I was shooting through glass to get this rattlesnake shot!
Queen and King of the jungle!
It was a beautiful blue sky couple of days with pretty clouds. The San Diego Zoo has a nice aerial tram (free with price of admission) that takes you from one end of the zoo to the other. Even with the tram, we did a ton of walking with lots of steep areas. Since we have the pass, we chose to do two half-days, which was perfect. According to my iPhone, we walked about 3 miles on day #1 and 4 miles on day #2. And I was wearing a backpack and pushing a stroller for most of that time!!
The tram gave me an opportunity for some nice sky shots, and a great view of Balboa Park!
Our granddaughter enjoying the tram ride!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world!!
You did have some pretty clouds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sky, but I like pictures with animals more, especially with the gorillas - very nice depth.
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet faces on those gorillas and that sweet girl!
ReplyDeleteOh what a fun time for the grandkid, the granddad had an awesome time capturing these Nat Geo worthy animal shots.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Your granddaughter steals the show ~ what a cutie! Beautiful animal photography and they all seem to be aware you and somewhat posing ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^
I love the San Diego Zoo! Your shots are amazing!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shots. It's hard to get good shots at a zoo, but yours are excellent.Yes that one is a Great Blue Heron.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots from zoo.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. I love the zoo and maybe we'll do the Safari next time. Keeping track of all the birds is a chore.
ReplyDeleteWhat we do for our grandkids! She got you to make shots of animals:):) She's a cutie! Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeletewow awesome clicks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Cool photos! A beautiful collection of portraits :-)
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos and wonderful cloud shots, they are so dense.
ReplyDeleteHello, I would like to visit the safari park. I love all the critters. Your granddaughter is sweet, cute shot. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful views. Loved the clouds and mountains. I visited the San Diego Zoo with my then young son (it was 20 years ago - hard to believe!) and just loved it and San Diego. Have never been back....
ReplyDeleteA fabulous collection of captures - thank you for sharing the outing. (Glad the rattler was behind glass!)
ReplyDeleteYou nailed the animals very good.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed
ReplyDeleteI have to say--I wuv gorillas. They are so cool. Until you've watched one methodically peal an orange, you've never watched patience
I can imagine, it must have been a wonderful day for grandparents and granddaughter. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that safari parks are much more natural than most zoos, but still it's worthwhile visiting a zoo now and then, specially wityh (grand)children. And you've made some great shots.
I think for the greedy herons there isn't an easier way to get their daily food. :-)
Super photos of a memorable couple of days! The gorilla has to be the king of your shots though! He really seemed to be posing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful views from the aerial tram.
Best wishes!
What wonderful photos! The gorilla did look like he was enjoying being your focus.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good zoo and your granddaughter a perfect age to be introduced to it. I'm pretty sure that's a Great Blue Heron. It's possible some of the birds might come and go. Just dropping by for the good meals! When we went to that zoo we saw a very pregnant giraffe ... I wanted to stay until the blessed event, but Bill wouldn't let me!(I bet nowadays, they'd have a live cam for that.)!
ReplyDeleteLove that raptor in the first photo, reminds me of the one in the Muppets. Grat look round the park, my wife keeps on she would like to go to one and London Zoo
ReplyDeleteAll great shots and looks like a wonderful day making memories.
ReplyDeleteThe gorilla shots are fantastic.
Ah--- the zoo is wonderful. And what used to be called the Wild Animal Park-- I went there often when I lived in SD in the late 70's. Your pictures are excellent!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, pleasant journey through your lens. That is so precious of your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteGreat animal shots! Love the gorilla!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots, but it's always so sad to see animals in zoos, I think...
ReplyDeleteGreat Blue Heron. One of my favorite subjects.
ReplyDeleteYou share such wonderful images and vibes!
ReplyDeleteThe gorilla is really smiling
ReplyDeleteThat gorilla is very cute....big flirt.
ReplyDeleteNice shots - when the kids were smaller we had a zoo memberships - I really liked the fact that it allowed you just to go for a couple of hours - with no pressure to see everything just because you had a one day ticket!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Wonderful if tiring couple of days! Love that gorilla's smile!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDelete