Lion Cubs Our two adult lions recently gave birth to their second litter of cubs. (Well actually only the female gave birth, but you know what I mean). Happy days here in Tucson. Reid Park Zoo welcomes 4 new lion cubs - Tucson News Now Tucson lioness a proud mother of four newborn cubs
Lol. That's funny but... Anyway, congrats to the Reid Park Zoo. I didn't get to see the first litter but there's no way I'm missing this one. The news thingy on the side of the page is saying five cubs were born at the zoo, though...oh. I see now. One died.
Yes, plus we have a tapir birth imminent and an elephant birth on the way next summer. Exciting times. (Now if our tigers could just follow the example of these other animals...)
For those of you shutterbugs within driving distance (or if you want to fly in), my next photo workshop at the zoo is March 1, 2014. Click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the page: https://store.reidparkzoo.org/mainstore.asp?vid=0
I would love to come and get photography tips from you... you get so many amazing shots. Unfortunately I cant fly in but I just wanted to tell you how incredible I think it is that your willing to donate your time and share your wealth of knowledge with zoo guests.
While I do donate my time as a docent, I actually get a small (very small) cut of the sales for the photo workshop. Just want to set the record straight.
Hey theres no problem with that. Any instructor deserves to get a little compensation for their time. I just think its still a very kind thing for you to do. Lots of people out there would love to be able to take photos that are as good as yours and your taking the time to show them while also helping the zoo raise money and show off their collection to people who will need somewhere to practice their lessons. Everybody wins.
No kidding! Phoenix Zoo hasn't had much success with their tigers either. I'm told part of it has to do with Hadiah's having been partly hand-raised while still at Woodland Park Zoo.
Why go to a workshop when you can give us tips on here for free? I'm just kidding! It sounds like a very good thing to be a part of. I remember taking art classes at the San Diego Zoo as a summer camp, which are probably my most memorable experiences as a child. I myself have been practicing and upgrading my DSLR recently and wish I could take part in the workshop but I will be out of reasonable flying distance on March 1.
It is not so much for the tips as for the photo ops. We put meat/scents on a large tree stump to get the tiger to stand up against it. Our zoo staff leader makes a fool of himself (he will not mind me saying so) by squawking and bobbing his head to get the sarus cranes to do their mating dance. We put the educational animals (snake, hedgehog, etc) on the ground or a rock for naturalistic photos. Etc, etc, etc...
There was a total of almost 550,000 visitors in 2013, the 2nd highest total in the history of the zoo. The past two years has seen the debut of Expedition Tanzania and a rejuvenation of this excellent small zoo. Tucson zoo has more than a half-million visitors in 2013
The next major project will be a new health center, which we desperately need. I think architectural plans are being made up right now (or will be soon). Nothing set in stone yet, but I have heard that we would like to have part of it visible to the public if possible. After that, the next major project will be a hippo exhibit with underwater viewing. This will be where the old (and currently empty) elephant exhibit is.
The tapir calf named Franklin died this afternoon. He developed pneumonia and couldnt fight it. Poor little thing such a rough short life. I feel for the keepers and vets who fought so hard for Franklin. Tapir calf at Reid Park Zoo dies
I've been reading this discussion for quite a while. I don't believe we've met, but my wife and I do enjoy your photography. We don't get to the zoo often enough, but the webcams and forum help fill in the gaps.
