Zoo 3

This is the final post of my zoo series. I'm so impressed with the improvements to our local zoo over the last few years and they are working on more! Lush landscaping abounds. Here are some flower pictures, with a few artsy light/shadow ones thrown in for good measure.

Got a little artsy-fartsy in post production with these next few...

We bid you a fond adieu. Now on to the Dakota pix...

Zoo 2

This post is for the birds.

Not really :) But it's about the birds! The birds of the Zoo. Don't you love the expression on this little guy above? I can think of a couple different captions. He's in the "Desert" exhibit but I don't know what he is.

Opposite of the desert is the artic. Most of the penguins were hiding while a worker cleaned their area. Two little guys stood by and supervised her work. (Again, having to shoot through glass!)

Oh the flamingo flock! Their plumage is sooooo pretty. I've never just stopped and watched them interact. They go through some interesting gyrations.

That's the beauty of intentional photography; at least for me - I see more through the lens than I do just strolling through life.

The whole flock was resting, heads burrowed, one leg up. Then one would lift his head, honk, and the whole flock would change positions. After a about 10 minutes, they would repeat the process. It was very well orchestrated!

I heard someone ask a worker if she could keep a feather she found. He answered that it's against the law and carries a fine up to $2,000! They are exquisite, but, no thanks!

I don't know anything about birds, but I assume the brown one is a youngster and hasn't colored out yet? There were two in this peach & white field of feathered fluff. Talk about needing to have self-confidence!

I took a lot of flamingo pictures, trying to capture their beauty and ballet-like form..

I have no idea what this next fellow is. He looks like a hybrid cousin of the flamingos.

Polly want a ...?  Nah, too cliche!

One more set of artsy shots to come and then maybe I'll finally get some of my Dakota pix up. Check back!

Zoo Pix!I

I wanted to practice my photography and thought the zoo would be a good place to do it!

It was a beautiful morning and the animals were enjoying the sunshine after breakfast.

The Meerkats are my favorite animal. So much personality! I spent a lot of time watching their antics. Unfortunately for me, they are behind glass, but I think I got some decent shots in spite of that.

I used to be a K4 aide and we would take a class field trip to the zoo every April. It was fun, but this day was so relaxing...enjoying the animals, the beautiful new landscaping, and my camera (and not trying to corral 20 little humans!)

Could this lion have been any more cooperative? Handsome face uplifted majestically towards the sun! Thank you, King Leo!

I tried several different approaches, but the elephants aren't quite as photogenic. Fun to watch them munching breakfast, though.

This was a bit eerie. The chimp absolutely knew I was there and taking pictures. He seemed alternately coy and annoyed. I couldn't help but think about the recent "Planet of the Apes" movies.

These little monkeys were really into a grooming session. I expected the one on the left was about to pull out a tissue & spit on it, mom-like, any second.

The Grizzlys are named Butch & Sundance. They are guests in Tulsa while their home in SC gets a makeover.

This is a very rare animal! I was lucky to get a picture of him.

I have another set to share. Come back!

Wind Farms

On our trip to ND this summer, I saw on the map a wind farm. Since I've never seen one, I asked hubby to indulge me in a little side trip. Always the sweet & accommodating spouse, we took the exit and headed down this long country road.

I was so excited to see all these windmills and appreciated hubby being willing to take a little extra time to explore. After taking a bunch of pix, we got back on the road and continued our journey. And saw another wind farm. And then another. They're everywhere! Not only that, on the return trip to OK, as we crossed the border, guess what? Yep, a wind farm practically in my back yard!