Going to the Zoo with Skippy

[dadwtwins]

Last week I finally met Skippy (Maxine) (http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/). Most of you know her as the moderator of Holy Macro & Other Cool Shot right here on DGrin. April asked if I was free to take Skippy to the SF zoo and other areas of the city for some photo-shooting since she herself had to work :-(.

First off, let me tell you what a privilege it was to meet Skippy. Not only is she a great photographer in her own right, she is damn fun to hang out with. If she ever comes back, hopefully I will get to shot with her again:bow.

Quick peep at Skippy in her photo taking mode. Funny thing was I never really saw her face. It was always behind the camera:scratch:
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399743111_LPZ6R-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399744148_asB8W-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399744470_hJjwA-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399745259_fhtPh-L.jpg

Here are a few of the shots I managed to get in at the zoo.
First the bigger mammals:
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399041329_iDKp8-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399037240_DJxNN-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399033932_C8WN8-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399031513_wbkrG-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399042655_SVe7z-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399039730_FJyoF-L.jpg

Here are some of the smaller mammals we saw:
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399032867_SgvmA-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399033160_pdYzF-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399036838_34HEY-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399038643_AhmZY-L.jpg

We were also able to capture some bird shots as well. These birds were hurt in the wild and brought here to recoup.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399048314_jxJhz-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399048860_SnmRM-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399043618_qkT8c-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399045363_xEZNd-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399044855_2YmC8-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399049534_xEoSn-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399046928_G9tMW-L.jpg

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/399045966_Wco7Z-L.jpg

So there you have it. Some shots taken at the SF Zoo with one of the nicest photo walk partners one could have. Thanks Skippy for a great day and hopefully when you come back, we can head down the coast to capture the real thing in their own elements :barb

[David_S85]

All excellent! :clap Love the meerkat shot. Skippy's always a hoot to shoot with and be around.

[schmoo]

Great set, Dan!! How on earth do you get such great light IN a zoo? Dear lord, I love the tigers and those birds.

[Cato]

The animal shots are beautiful, and filled with personality. Great stuff! :barb

[dlplumer]

Beautiful :clap

[dadwtwins]

Great set, Dan!! How on earth do you get such great light IN a zoo? Dear lord, I love the tigers and those birds.

Thanks schmoo,
The light was very bright that day, no clouds or fog to help diffuse the sun. We did alot of waiting for the animals to either turn into the sun or walk around the pens until we had the light we wanted.
The shadow/light actually helped me be a little more patient with my shots and allow the shot to show itself instead of me trying to force it.

Because of the incident last year with one of the Tigers, SF Zoo went into overkill on their new barriers (http://www.fogcityjournal.com/news_in_brief/no_zoo_safety_080211.shtml). The thick glass with smudge marks and web netting made taking pictures of the big cats very hard. With the hockey glass photo tips I got from April (http://aktse.smugmug.com/), I was able to sneak in a couple good shots. :ivar

[dadwtwins]

Just to be fair, here is a pic Skippy got of me :D

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/400110069_ixYwA-L.jpg

[B Rock]

That Meercat shot is amazing! Definently book worthy imo.

[Tee Why]

I like the shot of the mandrel??? monkey and the first tiger shot the most.
Good shots.

[dadwtwins]

Thank you, thank you, thank you:D:D:D

[Skippy]

Last week I finally met Skippy (Maxine) (http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/). Most of you know her as the moderator of Holy Macro & Other Cool Shot right here on DGrin. April asked if I was free to take Skippy to the SF zoo and other areas of the city for some photo-shooting since she herself had to work :-(.

First off, let me tell you what a privilege it was to meet Skippy. Not only is she a great photographer in her own right, she is damn fun to hang out with. If she ever comes back, hopefully I will get to shot with her again:bow.

Quick peep at Skippy in her photo taking mode. Funny thing was I never really saw her face. It was always behind the camera:scratch:
Here are a few of the shots I managed to get in at the zoo.
First the bigger mammals:

Here are some of the smaller mammals we saw:

We were also able to capture some bird shots as well. These birds were hurt in the wild and brought here to recoup.

So there you have it. Some shots taken at the SF Zoo with one of the nicest photo walk partners one could have. Thanks Skippy for a great day and hopefully when you come back, we can head down the coast to capture the real thing in their own elements :barb

Hey there Daniel, I had a great day too.
I love Zoo's and I'm so glad April was kind enough to lend me that whopping big Lens of hers :D

The train trip was fun.
I heard those wonderful sounds on the train,
only to find out it wasnt the train at all,
it was April's mobile phone she had lent me, and you guys were trying to ring me hahaha!
Ohhhhh well 4 missed calls later I finally picked up a call.

Time just goes so fast when your having fun,
same as me and Sam at the Museum we had no idea we had been there so long and the place was actually closing for the night hahaha.

Where ever I go me Daggy Blue Hat comes with me :D
Thanks for the great time Daniel :thumb .... Skippy :D
.