On my wife's 65 birthday we rented a beach house in Oceanside California and headed to see the sights. For me the major sights included animals. Sea World has always attracted me since I've been a diver over my life (alas not an active one now), but I've always held a fascination for the sea. In addition wild animals have always been interesting and since I began taking photographs a favorite subject. In Montana I've been pleased to see the variety of wildlife I can focus my lens on, but animals from far away lands are also beautiful and graceful.
1. San Diego Zoo - we were greeted at the entrance by this very beautiful peacock. We also discovered that they were to be found in many places on the property.
2. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park we found this interesting long haired monkey. The Safari Park has better access to the animals, with clearer views for the camera - i.e. no bars to get in the way much of the time.
3. Again in the Safari Park, we see this Bengal Tiger scoping us out from it's position near the rear of it's enclosure.
4. San Diego Zoo - other animals are also seen underwater through glass windows in their enclosures. This hippo is a great example of how much of a close up view one can get from these hure animals.
5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park - this Koala gives an Australian feel for it's enclosure.
6. San Diego Zoo Safari Park - once again with this lioness one can see the open viewing one can find with this type of enclosure. The story behind this and the next photo is they were both lying down (yes what an unexciting shot) when this one decided to get up an head out, leaving the king of the jungle lying alone on the ground.
7. Safari Park - Companion to 6, this guy was just lying there and when his mate exited stage left he came up and posed for the camera.
8. Safari Park - This pelican got all excited and decided to pose for the camera.
9. Safari Park - This Cheetah was very much in the open. The story behind this one was that the Cheetahs were moved in after the Gazelles which occupy an enclosure across an asphalt rode from here. The park employee says to their amazement, when the Cheetahs moved in the Gazelles moved closer to them. He said, the rule keep your friends close and your enemies closer applies since the Gazelle can run all day at about 55 mph and the Cheetah can run for short distances at 75 mph - if the Gazelle sees the Cheetah take off they can stay ahead and of course not be killed.
10. Safari Park - This is a set up photo. I knew the Cheetah was going to chase a cloth rabbit on a determined course. So next to the 4 foot fence that abutted the course, I set up my camera on a tripod and followed the progress (he was going full speed in this photo - about 75 mph). I was amazed at how fast it happened and that I was able to get most of the Cheetah in the frame.
11. Safari Park - These Giraffes were feeding on this tree and I thought it made an interesting gathering photo.
12. San Diego Zoo - What lawn picture isn't complete without a pink flamingo. (Yuk). These guys were actually at both of the parks. By the way the Safari Park was opened to act as a clinic for zoo animals that were not well. After a while they decided that it was an attraction of it's own.
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