Posts Tagged ‘Wildlife’

Just in case you were wondering, I did manage to get some face shot of some critters at the zoo. I don’t know why, but birds seem to love me. They are happy to preen and pose while I take photos. For instance, this little Road Runner was quite the charmer. He was so happy when I spoke to him and would fluff his feathers and chirp.

Road Runner :: "Look at me! Pay attention to me!"

By the way, am I the only one who, as a child, had different expectations for the appearance of a Road Runner – expectations which were set by Looney Toons?

Looney Toons Road Runner

The NC Zoo also had a Blue Crowned Pigeon like the one at the Sylvan Heights Bird Park. Like the one at the bird park, the zoo’s pigeon is a ham. However, he had flown into a treetop inside the tropical forest habitat to escape some bratty children who were trying to pick him up. Poor bird! Once safely away from the grabby hands of hellspawn, he was happy to pose for those of us with cameras.

Blue Crowned Pigeon :: "Get away from me, brats!"

They also have a beautiful parrot in the tropical rainforest habitat. He was happily munching on a pecan when I snapped this photo.

Parrot :: "Snack time!"

And this eagle outside the baboon habitat was also happy to pose for photos. Seconds after he calmly posed for this picture he started flapping his wings and bobbing. I think he was demanding praise and a treat for being such a good sport.

Bataleur Eagle :: "There! Now give me a treat!"

However, my day wouldn’t have been complete without at least one photo of a bird’s ass. These flamingos were all facing me, but a group of screaming rugrats approached right as I went to take the photo. Thus, they decided it was best to do what all the other animals at the zoo did all day long: present us with their asses.

Flamingo :: "We are SO not interested in your screaming kids!"

The weather was simply splendid this weekend, so the Mister and I packed up and headed west to the NC Zoological Park in Asheboro. I took my little camera hoping the perfect weather would mean plenty of great photo opportunities. I thought the animals would be active, and they were! However, most of them kept their backs turned towards the crowds all day long. I can’t blame them; if I were faced with hordes of screaming kids trapped in giant strollers, I would probably keep my back turned too. (Hey, zoo officials – can we get a childfree day at the zoo once a year? Pretty please?)

Anyway, here you go: some pictures from my animal ass safari at the zoo.  Here’s one of the black bears and his ass. He was a very thirsty bear, and he would not turn around to face the crowds. He was content to drink and drink and drink and drink and…

Black Bear :: "My ass - let me show you it!"

The grizzly bear was content to do the same. I think it was his snack time because he planted himself against the gate at the back of his habitat and wasn’t moving for anyone. I guess the salmon truck was back there or something.

Grizzly Bear :: "My ass - let me show you it!"

Even the cougar, who was napping, positioned herself so that her ass was pointed towards the crowds. So, while I did manage to capture her face in the shadows, the primary focus is her sunlit ass.

Cougar :: "My white ass - let me show you it!"

The gorillas weren’t going to be outdone. Both the male and female silverbacks wanted us to photograph their asses.

Female Gorilla :: "My ass - let me show you it!"

Male Gorilla :: "My ass - let me show you it!"

I did manage to make the giraffe turn her head by whistling at her, but, as you can see, she still had her ass pointed towards us.

Giraffe :: "My ass - there it is!"

And that concludes The Great Critter Ass Safari of 2011.