Any time I stop by the Denver Zoo, I run by the volunteer center (one of the perks of volunteering!) and check the event board. There are two words that always bring joy to my heart: Carcass Day. As part of the enrichment of the animals at the zoo, they’ll often get a chance toContinue reading “Carcass Day!”
Category Archives: Zootography
It’s a Jungle Sometimes it Makes me Wonder
My usual goal in zoological portraiture is to try to keep the environment in the photo looking as close to the animal’s natural habitat as possible. And unless you’re in some sort of post-apocalyptic movie, an urban center is not where most of these guys live. Still, sometimes the “zoo” shot is the one youContinue reading “It’s a Jungle Sometimes it Makes me Wonder”
Otterly Beautiful
Around the middle of last year, I moved into a new apartment. There was a particular wall where I needed some portrait oriented art and I just didn’t really have any. So what does a photographer do? Make their own! I gave myself a rule that day: I was not allowed to shoot in landscapeContinue reading “Otterly Beautiful”
Every Day’s a Good Hair Day With lee
One of the Denver Zoo’s most senior animal care staff members is a dude named Jim. From what some of the volunteers tell me, his hobbies outside of bears include Monty Python references and dad jokes. What I know is that if I see Jim walking around the zoo, I follow where he’s going; somethingContinue reading “Every Day’s a Good Hair Day With lee”
Groucho
Most zoos these days have some sort of behind the scenes experience. Denver Zoo calls them Up-Close Encounters. Of the 13 they offer, I’ve done nine at this point. They’re all good; they’re all absolutely worth doing. But there are two that I recommend above all others: The Flamingo encounter, and the Elephant encounter. AtContinue reading “Groucho”
The Cutest Little Dude in the Jungle
If you pass through Denver Zoo’s Emerald Forest habitat, you’re bound to come upon this little guy. Likely, you’ll overhear other guests commenting on his adorable mustache. Isn’t he cute!? Some of the things Denver Zoo volunteers get to help with are behavioral observations. When an animal gets a new roommate or is displaying stressContinue reading “The Cutest Little Dude in the Jungle”
Lil Bebe Lizard
Denver Zoo has had a lot of good luck in Komodo Dragon breeding. Last year, as an addition to their part of the Species Survival Plan, they got a trio of 9-month old babies from the Fort Worth Zoo. They were a big draw; Komodo Dragons are one of those animals like Red Pandas thatContinue reading “Lil Bebe Lizard”
A Whimsie Snack
Whimsie is about two and a half years old in this picture. Which – arguably – is well past the realm of baby. It’s just not hard to think of her as such, especially seeing her with big mama Tinga and giant dad Jim while they forage for some greens tactically placed by the careContinue reading “A Whimsie Snack”
Portraitkeet
If you want to get close to some animals that are relatively comfortable with humans, your local zoo’s bird experience is one of your best options. Denver’s lorikeets are incredibly colorful and incredibly friendly, especially if you arrive around opening time when they’re the most excited to see you. This one for instance is actuallyContinue reading “Portraitkeet”
Dirty Windows and Orangutans
Zoos are weird. I spend over 300 hours a year at zoos and they’re still weird. That fine line between conservation and exhibition, providing a better life and taking away wild freedom. it’s just… yeah. Weird. Part of how I reconcile that with my zoo photos is attempting to make them not look like theyContinue reading “Dirty Windows and Orangutans”
The Zootographer 