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Cats... DA*50-135... (large images)
Posted By: Bud, 02-04-2009, 08:59 PM

and a bear and a couple of canines... at the zoo, of course

I am now... officially... obsessed... with winter at the zoo... something new every time. Yesterday, a brief blizzard occured while I was there, so I made use of the most versatile weather-sealed lens in my bag. I haven't used the 50-135 nearly as much as I thought I would, but I now have a much greater appreciation for it. Sharp from start to finish (I actually can't believe how sharp it is at f/2.8) and healthy as a.... tiger.... after 3 hours in the snow.

Thanks for looking!

C&C welcomed and encouraged.

Bud

All shots hand-held with K20D and DA*50-135

1) A day at the spa... for a Polar Bear
1/500s f/7.1 at 123.0mm iso400

2) I swear it's smiling in this one...
1/320s f/5.6 at 103.0mm iso400

3) White Tigers enjoying the white stuff...
1/320s f/4.5 at 115.0mm iso200

4) Malayan Tiger
1/500s f/8.0 at 135.0mm iso1250

5) Not too thrilled with the weather
1/800s f/4.5 at 135.0mm iso640

6) Mexican Wolves
1/500s f/6.3 at 65.0mm iso200

7) Eurasian Lynx pair
This one is shot through a cage, but resolved nicely at f/2.8
1/400s f/2.8 at 135.0mm iso250

8) Skeletor - when the snow got a little too heavy for my liking, I ducked into one of the tropical buildings. A few minutes after de-fogging... I discovered this display of a manatee skeleton... does it work in black & white?
1/30s f/2.8 at 50.0mm iso640


And one more of my new favorite zoo animal... the Polar Bear. I stopped by one more time on my way out of the zoo. I'm not sure, but he seemed to be sticking out his tongue... at me
1/500s f/5.6 at 135.0mm iso400



Thanks for looking... and pay a visit to your local zoo in inclement weather this winter... you might just have a really good time
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02-04-2009, 09:08 PM   #2
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Good shots and good lens.
Nice series.
02-04-2009, 09:08 PM   #3
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Great pics! I am so jealous... the zoo is closed here in winter (except for a few weeks for schools winter break).

Hey wait a minute!!! I just checked their website and they are now open until Feb 15th this winter! Woah I hope I have time to go!

I'm inspired!

Pat
02-04-2009, 09:09 PM   #4
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Great Photos!

In the last one, the polar bear displays quite a menacing stare as he hunches over his "Kill", but then I scrolled back up to the first picture, and realized he's just a big white teddy bear that wants to get back to his nap.

02-04-2009, 09:10 PM   #5
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nice shots...very sharp and clear and the falling snow adds a great environmental element.
02-04-2009, 10:29 PM   #6
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They are all very sentimental in deed! Hard to believe these were shot in zoo!
02-04-2009, 10:48 PM   #7
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Hey Bud, to think i nearly didnt look at this thread because of the title (i dislike cats)
But these pics are great, i am glad i looked

02-04-2009, 11:11 PM   #8
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By the way my favorite is the zebra!

I love how everythig is white and grey, with the zebra looking almost like camo.

Pat
02-04-2009, 11:23 PM   #9
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At f/2.8 its a real stunner


cheers
02-05-2009, 01:22 AM   #10
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Wow, that first shot of the polar bear and the shot of the tiger are incredibly clear.

Wonderful job.
02-05-2009, 01:30 AM   #11
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Maybe I should just sell all my lenses and get teh 50-135 ;b Great shots and you did a good job avoiding the "zoo look" =) Love the first and fourth one.

Composition for #2 have room for improvement I think, but not by cropping. Might be hard to get the bear to smile at you again though

#5 might be good cropped as a panorama to get rid of the box in the foreground. It's kinda of distracting imho
02-05-2009, 03:04 AM   #12
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Kicker of a lens and a great series here. Loved everyone one of them, Thanks

Cheers
Nish
02-05-2009, 05:44 AM   #13
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Wow love the snow and Polar Bear shots and tigers and .... great series a trip well worth the time.
02-05-2009, 06:31 AM   #14
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Great series, I especially like #1 & #7.

Ray
02-05-2009, 08:08 AM   #15
Bud
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Original Poster
dsport, Pat and Black Magic

QuoteOriginally posted by dsport Quote
Good shots and good lens.
Nice series.
Thanks!

QuoteOriginally posted by ve2vfd Quote
Great pics! I am so jealous... the zoo is closed here in winter (except for a few weeks for schools winter break).

Hey wait a minute!!! I just checked their website and they are now open until Feb 15th this winter! Woah I hope I have time to go!

I'm inspired!

Pat
Run... don't walk! Winter at the zoo is a completely different experience than in the regular summer months... I highly recommend a visit AND... I look forward, with great anticipation, to your obligatory series of pics!

Thanks for the comments!

Bud

QuoteOriginally posted by Black Magic Quote
Great Photos!

In the last one, the polar bear displays quite a menacing stare as he hunches over his "Kill", but then I scrolled back up to the first picture, and realized he's just a big white teddy bear that wants to get back to his nap.
Cute and cuddly... extremely powerful jaws... skillful predator... interesting mix of attributes, don't you think Thanks for the comments!

Bud

Last edited by Bud; 02-05-2009 at 08:14 AM.
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