Trip to the Dallas Zoo (Long)

[Robbzilla]

I was a little sad because I couldn't get a good gorilla shot because of the glass, and because of all the kids plastered up against it. One little fellow had some sort of bright orange "toy" digital camera (It was a real camera made for kids I assume) that REALLY fouled up the shots... I was lucky enough to get these, but I really wish I could have gotten them sans the reflections...





I also got a good one of the Mandrill, but the glass almost worked as a soft filter... I guess I'll take that :)


He looks very soulful

And Their cousin, Mr Chimp was looking good, even through glass...


My last shot through glass I want to share was one I rather liked...

Man those little guys can move in the water!

Outside the glass, I got a few nice pics, all in all...

Looks like he's saying "I'm coming Elizabeth!"






Dead Camel!


He got better!

[dartlrt]

The best time to shoot the gorilas is anytime before 11:00am on the weekends. After that the families start coming. Try using a polarizing filter for the reflection in the glass. The other thing to do is to put your lens shade right against the glass.

[Bobby C 01TA]

nice pics!! lot of them are bright due to the sun.. usually the hood works wonders but sometimes a polarized filter is necessary. The animals look like they are all chillin' LOL. I cant wait to go to the zoo here in a couple weeks!

[idnurse41]

These turned out great Robb! We went there today & so fun! I was mad-couldn't even see a meerkat at all! Great job on yours!

[Robbzilla]

Thanks! I actually had the hood on my camera and a polarizing filter on my lens, but the glare was still there... Maybe I need a better filter. I really bought this one on the cheap more to protect the lens than for any other reason... I had the hood touching the glass, but it's one of those that isn't a continous lip, so glare still gets through on occasion... I'll definitely try to get to the zoo earlier next time! I was there at about 2:30 and had to wait to get close enough to the gorilla to get even THOSE shots. He was pretty lazy, just hanging out, and I probably could have outlasted the kids, but I figured other people had the right to see him. All in all, I was pretty impressed with the Dallas Zoo. You hear about Ft Worth all the time, and no one ever mentions Dallas. I have to say, I liked it! It was HUGE, and you had to do some serious walking, but it was a very nice zoo that shouldn't be overlooked.

[okcwannabe]

Good job...I went to the OKC Zoo not that long ago and had the same problems with the kids hoggin' the glass. How dare they Be glad it was glass...a lot of the exhibits at OKC have wire or other things you can't really shoot through. And it just ends up looking like crap with that covering your whole shot

[Robbzilla]

Originally Posted by okcwannabe

Good job...I went to the OKC Zoo not that long ago and had the same problems with the kids hoggin' the glass. How dare they Be glad it was glass...a lot of the exhibits at OKC have wire or other things you can't really shoot through. And it just ends up looking like crap with that covering your whole shot

All of Dallas's monkeys (with the exception of the Mandrills) are behind wire, as are a lot of their birds... And you're right, it's really frustrating! One of the monkey cages has a new baby... Little sucker was CUTE! But you couldn't get a decent pic due to the chain link cage... Oh well... Not as important as keeping the animals safe & comfy, but still a gripe :)