Zoo 2014 - 4

This is the final post from this trip to the zoo. I had another since then, but will add to that in a few weeks after we get to the lovely spring blossoms on the fruit trees are in Saskatoon. Those will be in my next post in a few days.

First, we start with a nice action series of a duck taking off. I love this time of year when the waterfowl is so active and you get a lot of good action shots of them taking off and landing, as you might've seen in my last post with some landings and saber rattling.

I don't know what it is, but the kids always seem most interested in the farm animals. I suppose it's no different than when I encountered a rabbit in my last visit. I looked over and saw an animal not in a cage and wasn't sure what I was seeing. Then, they proceeded to hop no more than 4 feet away from me. I suppose the cages take away the fascination even more than a young child watching their mother feed a simple chicken.

I'm always cautious when photographing people and their children. There are a lot of people who are opposed to having their photo taken, and I understand and respect that. However, these people were really friendly and more concerned that they were blocking my way than anything. I whispered back but they were not and asked if I could take a picture. Of course, they said yes. The caged animals will be there for a long time. It's the unique moments like this that I love to sit and enjoy, especially with our own little one on their way. Maybe I'll be feeding the chickens to the enjoyment of our child in a year or less.

It was getting pretty hot and just as I was leaving the zoo I spotted a peacock hiding under the bushes, getting some shade. It was a very nice and peaceful way to end that visit to the zoo. Both arriving and leaving I was just a few feet away from a nice peacock.

Zoo 2014 - 2

It has been very good to be able to get back up to the zoo again in nothing more than a T-shirt or two. There really isn't a whole lot to say about these photos so sit back and enjoy! I will add commentary where necessary.

This Peacock is not headless, just grooming itself under its wing. I certainly had the pleasure of being very close to it for a long period of time. Those calls it lets out sure are startling, though.

This little guy was born less than a week ago and was just the cutest little thing galloping across the field to get to its mother. Of course, I missed that shot because I think I may have spooked him and caused him to run across as I approached. That's why I didn't have my camera up and ready.

There will be more to come in a few days from this trip and, as of the writing of this, I've had two more excellent photo walks with results to post. They will be coming in the next little while as time to work on them and write posts comes.

Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo 2012 - 6

I thought I had missed the season to most likely witness a peacock show off. I was wrong. Mid-July was the time I got this shot.

Amazing how quickly those tiny little goslings grow up. Nice that the parents are less protective by this point and a person can get a bit closer without being challenged.

Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo 2012 - 4

I haven't had a peacock fan for me this year and breeding season is closing so it might not happen this year.

Their vocals are becoming fewer in number, but no less startling or in volume.

 

In an uncharacteristic moment of nonassertiveness, this goose sat on her nest in the shade, calmly watching people come and go, not bothered by anything. That is my kind of goose.

It's All in the Details

A short while back I completed the website for friends of ours who own and run Baraka Care Homes Ltd here in Saskatoon. Nothing fancy about the site, just the necessary information. The last wrinkle was to get Google, the host of the site, to detect it and put it in their own directory. Ironic, we know. Hopefully by linking to the site here in this post it will boost it to the top position when searched for. It began around sixth or seventh and within a few days was second. Only a care home aggregator is higher.

The frustrating part of the build was that they wanted their addresses kept off the site to minimize the number of drop-in visitors but every other site they were listed on had their address. Far beyond our control. Just to clarify, people are welcome to learn about the homes if they are considering it for themselves or their parents. But Dwayne and Karen are not always at either of the two homes and dropping in when the staff may be busy is not ideal. Not to mention, those residences are people's homes and they don't necessarily want strangers dropping in and disrupting their very important routine. A little notice ahead of time goes a long way.

Above is a test photo from the purchase made with the gift given for the website build. A Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR Micro Nikkor. A peacock left us this present yesterday down by the pond at the zoo. Not my best photo, but for now I'm testing the lens' performance. Much more interesting photos will come.

One more using a six second long shutter length and painting the light in precisely where I wanted it. Just one little flash from the side to rim the feather and give it some dimension.

Much like sparkling snow, it was difficult to capture the beautiful colour and shimmer of this little feather. I did get a bit more out of the second photo by rotating the light across the front during the six second exposure.

From the twenty photos I made with this I know I will be happy with it. In nearly pitch black the autofocus locked on easily. That's the Nikon AF system for you. :) The closest distance it can focus is superb (these feather photos are much further away than the closest it can go) and will reopen the door to water drop photos and much improved food and flower photos.

It is so nice to buy a piece of equipment and not worry if it is a lemon. Of course some are defective. It happens. But maybe one out of one hundred. Not three out of the five like from my old system purchases. Sorry, Pentax, you let me down. I'm a Nikonian.