Head Shots

Madeline and Joseph, Elizabeth's sister and nephew, were in town for a visit, and I accompanied them to the Central Florida Zoological Park and the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Both of these places prove the adage "you get what you pay for." Disney charges $71 dollars for a one-day ticket and delivers ten times the entertainment [and considerably cleaner bathrooms] than did the zoo at $10 or the Audubon Center at $5. But none of us wanted to spend a full day anywhere, so the zoo and Audubon Center were nice alternatives.

I went to the zoo hoping to photograph lions, tigers, and bears—so carefully composing the shots that a viewer couldn't tell I wasn't on safari in Africa—but the zoo disappointed in species and photo opportunities. The few big-ticket animals were behind such heavy wire grate that good pictures were impossible. Many animals—and I couldn't blame them—kept their backs turned to the noisy crowds. The most willing subjects were the flocks of blackbirds willing to do anything for a piece of pretzel [except not shit all over the picnic tables]. Although I didn't capture any exciting wild animals, I got a few pictures where I am happy with the personality that comes through:




The Audubon Center offered even fewer photo opportunities. The eagles and owls were still tethered in their "garden." I tried shooting the vultures in the aviaries, but again the wire grate was problematic; I couldn't both focus past it and keep the subject clear. I did manage to get one shot of a hawk that I like:


I also took some human portraits that my companions enjoyed. I guess that I should be happy expanding my photographic repertoire to include more than bugs, but I must say that I am impatiently awaiting late February/early March and the return of the dragonflies.