Zoo-be-doo-be-doo

I love this guy. I could watch him all day. I know he has an official name, but I call him My Sweet Baboo. I was crouched down, shooting through glass, and he was watching me as much as I was watching him. All of a sudden, up curves one side of his mouth in this lovely lop-sided smile. I know, I'm anthropomorphizing, but gosh, doesn't it look like he's giving us a grin? Kinda the "Sheesh, enough with the cameras already!" Shortly after this he pulled his Woobie (the burlap sack on his back) over his head, rolled over on his side, and was out like a light.

The eagles have a large enclosure--big enough to have lots of room to fly around in. I just wish I could get a shot without that nasty fence showing, and I am too lazy to Photoshop it out.

The zoo has a new flamingo exhibit that is nice. Not San Diego nice, but 24-flamingoes-nice. I like the flamingoes for the sinuosity (is that a word) and the colors and the patterns that occur when they are in groups.

And speaking of sinuous necks....

And just to show I can be on theme, a little backlighting...

and these thorns--holy smokes! You wouldn't want to bump into those! I thought it was pretty neat the way the sun was backlighting these, too. You can take the macro lens off the camera, but you can't take the macro eye out of the photographer. (Eeuuwww--nasty mental picture there!!)

Bear with me

I love bears. They scare me spitless, and the only way I can stand to see them is if I am separated by a secure barrier. They are powerful and magnificent, and their shambling pace is deceptive; there is so much power and speed disguised in that slow amble. How'd you like to come face to face with this on the trail? YIKES!!!!!

This guy was behind glass, cooling off in the pool area...

He did get a little bit closer---dang the reflection on the glass. There were 2 toddler-size kids standing nearby, and his head was almost as big as their bodies! Sure wouldn't want to meet him when I was out hiking!! (Ok, it could be a her, but frankly either way I'm terrified)

"Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo."

"I do believe it. I do believe it's true!"

ML and I went over to the zoo today...the weather cooperated and was 30 degrees cooler than yesterday, plus pleasantly overcast. Perfect.

Spectacled owl--one of my favorites
I think this is his glamour pose

Peregrine Falcon--even holding still, it looks fast

WARNING: Whine ahead: Although the weather was perfect, not so perfect were the 12 (we counted) bus loads of extremely overactive and noisy school kids. I did make a large mental note to NEVER come to the zoo again this close to the end of the school year, when all the teachers want to do is get those kids out of the classroom and on someone else's nerves... It made what should have been a pleasant outing into an endurance test, exacerbated by my still unsteady legs and shooting skills. (another note to self--you are probably going to need a monopod...) It's not that I don't like kids, I just don't like Kids Running Wild...at Full Volume

But, kids aside, it was a great day--I got some good shots, the weather was perfect, and ML and I were on the same energy level, wearing out at just about the same instant.

So, you will probably be seeing some zoo shots for the next few days. I guess it is my retro post for Animals week... LOL!!

Sea life on land

I love the way the centers of clematis look like anemones. I usually stay away from square crops, but it worked for this one...

Be-dewed

It is 92 at 5 pm--unheard of for Seattle, ESPECIALLY in June! June means temps in the (maybe) 60s and lots of rain. Anyway, in view of the warm weather, I thought this shot from a week ago looked pretty refreshing...

Summer is here!

The sure-fire sign that summer is here--the rental kayaks and paddleboats are out at the State park. Of course, 85 degrees makes them look pretty tempting...
As I was looking at the kayaks, a bald eagle soared overhead and landed in the trees on the point behind the kayaks. My trusty P&S just barely had enough muscle--this is a little pixelated, but below the eagle is a juvenile--the brownish blotchy lump behind the trees. He took off shortly after I took this shot. Too young yet to have the white head and tail, but impressive in size nonetheless.

Unfurling

This is a deer fern, and it has both male and female fronds. This is one of the male fronds. The female fronds come later, and are fuller and more lush. It looks like 2 entirely different ferns melded together. I love the detail, though, on these, and the way the centers are so tightly spiraled.