Chester Zoo 2/2

[motetus]

Serval Cat enjoying the sunshine. I WANT ONE, I WANT ONE!





Jaguars:



Lions being lazy:





Spectacled Bear:



This isn't a great photo because it was heavily underexposed and cropped, but look - does this not look like the latter two-thirds of Man-Bear-Pig?!

(It's actually a bush dog)



This one amused me. Huge sharp teeth, wild crazed eyes and... nibbling on lettuce.



Meerkats:



Nap time...



...bloody kids!



Scimitar-Horned Orynx:



Elephant:



Smaller elephant (I want one of these too):



And to finish it off - my favourite shot of the day. The poor thing looks so depressed.

Comments

[inyadreems.livejournal.com]

Bloomin' amazing photos. You should submit them to... somewhere! Wherever animal photos are used. I am also slightly pissed off because every time we go to Chester Zoo it pours down.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Heh, thanks, but I don't think they're quite up to professional standards. The equipment isn't that professional either - I saw a guy hogging the best spot for the tiger with his Canon 1DmkIV and 100-400mm. So. Much. Envy.

I definitely was fortunate with the weather. It's probably the last bit of sun we'll get for the next 6 months!

[shakesmears.livejournal.com]

Adore the second one down. And that's a great picture of the jaguars, And Meerkats are so utterly adorable. Wonderful pics.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Watching meerkats is never boring. I still want to see how far I can kick them though. Stupid car insurance advert.

[suechosethis.livejournal.com]

Super pics all of them. What lens did you use?

I love the Meerkats and of course the elephants - and the rhino is a great photograph.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The rhino could have been boring, but the lighting and catching his eye made it beautiful. I knew it would be my favourite before I even took the shot.

The macro photos were with my 100mm (yup, still in love with it) and everything else was with the 55-250mm - cheapest Canon telephoto there is, but it's surprisingly good once stopped down to f8. Definitely only a good-weather lens, but excellent IQ for the price. I'm saving for the 70-200 L, but I may be waiting for a while!

[storylikeascar.livejournal.com]

These are all gorgeous, Zo. Elephants!! I want one too but only if someone else takes care of the poop duties :-)

Whoa, the horns on those Orynx. Can you imagine tossing and turning with those things hanging around? Talk about uncomfortable. They're beautiful creatures though.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Is elephant dung good as a fertiliser? If it is you could have a nice little business on the side selling it to gardeners, AND have an elephant to ride on.

I reckon the horns on the big one could just be long enough for him to scratch his backside with a few neck movements. I'd put up with the weight to be able to do that!

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I love all the cat ones!

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The cats were my favourite, and I'm pleased I got a few pictures of them doing something other than sleeping. The tiger refused to stir himself and pose for me.