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”
Tag Archives: Chordata
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”
Denver Zoo Free Day
One of my roles as a volunteer at the Denver Zoo is as a member of the Volunteer Photography Committee. Its main role is as a service providing images for the various stakeholders in the zoo. While a lot of it is your normal animal stuff, there’s also taking photos during special events. One ofContinue reading “Denver Zoo Free Day”
The 40 Year Old Mojo
Okay, he’d actually only just turned 9 at the time of this picture. But his face feels so much like the look of innocent joy on Steve Carell’s 40-Year Old virgin poster that I couldn’t resist. When people talk to me about camera gear (which happens a lot when you carry giant lenses around yourContinue reading “The 40 Year Old Mojo”
Serious Penguin Portrait
Zoos have changed a lot since when I was a kid. One of the more common offerings these days that they have in order to raise funds and increase guest engagement are up-close encounters. In exchange for giving your local zoo a little extra financial support, you can feed a tiger, chat with animal careContinue reading “Serious Penguin Portrait”
Prowlin’ Cloud
There are some pretty elusive animals at the Denver Zoo. Even in that setting, the animals that survive on their ability to hide are going to hide. The Clouded Leopard is one of those. Most days that you get an opportunity to see Taji, he’s going to be in his perch box or napping inContinue reading “Prowlin’ Cloud”
The Zootographer 