Chester Zoo

**Laikipia** Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:03 pm

My friend Ali and I went to Chester zoo yesterday to practice our wildlife photography - here's a few of what we saw. As we were being very :study: geek

we spent a long time concentrating on meerkats, penguins and flamingoes in between the rain showers. There were about 9,000 people there, and sadly we didnt even get to see the Sudanese cheetah cubs! It was impossible to put the tripods up so we came home!

We had a great time practicing though so it wasn't a wasted day Laughing

Lai

**Doogs** Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:15 pm

Fantastic shots Lai, especially loving those adorable little Meercats I love you

Love the one of the two of them sitting down :) Beautiful Flamingo's and love the Penguin Penguin

getting reading to dive in cheers

I know you said it was raining Lai but did you think it was a worthwhile exercise, did you a lot out of it ?

**Laikipia** Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:02 pm

Yes we did, it only rained on and off so we nipped into the coffee shop or sheltered under a covered area for a while.

We have different cameras but discussed what we were both doing and why - so the idea was to use manual focus on the meerkats as well as aperture, and then shutter speed on the penguins and gulls (the fast moving gulls were a complete and utter disaster for us both - they swooped in and out sooooooo quickly). The meerkats are very obliging and it was easy to stand in the corner and use the rail to balance the lens on. We did get some strange comments!

We both had our manuals out on Saturday :study: something we don't often do just to remember what was what on the camera! We looked at the link you posted and have agreed next year to try and get something organised - meantime I think Ali's going to try and get to a day course in London at a wetlands centre which I would love to do but no time at the moment What a Face

Lai

**littlewid** Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:46 pm

I am no expert Lai ( as you know Very Happy

) but I love the Meerkats. The way their coats are glinting in the sunshine is lovely. I love the second picture you posted of them with the little Meerkat looking up, just gorgeous and I really like the one of the two sitting down.
It would have been wonderful to have seen the sudanese Cheetah but to be truthful, I love the Meerkats more, so i'm really chuffed you got lots of brilliant shots of them.
The Penguine just about to take a dive is brilliant, I know he has his numbers round his wings but they do look like little armbands in the photo. Penguines are amazing creatures and they do give lots of fun shots.

Shame it rained for you and you couldn't get your tripods out but it does sound as though it was worth you both going and discussing things together and trying to get different shots.

Chester Zoo is so popular isn't it, i'm not surprised there were lots of people there and I bet a few were listening to you and Ali and trying to pick up tips from you both Very Happy

Thanks for the photo's, my evening is a happy one with all the gorgeous Meerkat pics cheers

littlewid-x-

**whitestarling** Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:21 pm

Great shots Lai. I dont think you could have got most of the shots sharper if you had used your tripod, and they look as though you really could'nt have zoomed in anymore than you did. The details really good as well. Its good practise using different stteings on your camera then comparing the shots. Love the Meerkats, and Penguins, but I really like the shot of the Baby Flamingo, with the Gull by it. It's really difficult getting the swooping Birds, I've been using the Multi Shot Mode, at high speed with Auto Focus on mine to get shots, but really it's hit, and miss. I can take say ten shots, and if I'm lucky I might get one or two that are OK
WS

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:11 am

WS - birds are really a tough one to get a sharp clear photo. Deciding which one to focus on and then the one next door moves, it was quite funny and we decided that without tripods and with that many people it was getting a bit chaotic - I didn't want to knock some one over with my lens

We really enjoyed the meerkats, as they were backlit it was making it more interesting and as you say Littlewid they are such gorgeous tiny little things.

Chester is a great zoo but I still struggle with the cages and enclosures - I know the animals are really well cared for and they are doing a great thing with endangered species (7 wild dogs in a new enclosure this April) but the eles looked so unhappy and bored, they really broke my heart out of all the animals there, so much so I couldn't take any photos. Anyway, it is a very popular place and great for education and the 9,000+ were certainly enjoying themselves Laughing

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:16 pm

WS, shooting seagulls (with a camera and not a gun ! affraid

) was what the guy that did the 'one to one' photography lesson with Ian had him doing. It was really good practice and even Ian said "I didn't realise seagulls could be so interesting" ! lol!

That's great to hear your trip to the Zoo was worthwhile from a photography point of view Lai Chester Zoo 853843

You just need to transport all that expertise over to Kenya now, which I am sure you will Wink

I know where you're coming from re animals in cages in zoos Crying or Very sad

Such a shame that the Elephant behind

looked sad and bored, no wonder you didn't take any pictures Crying or Very sad

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:30 pm

That must have been tough for Ian, but I bet he learned lots and it will be so satisfying to be able to photograph birds.

We've got big expectations for your safari pics now Doogs Laughing

although they are always wonderful anyway Chester Zoo 853843

Lai

**Doogs** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:46 pm

It certainly will Lai and it's great as we know how many beautiful birds there is out there in Kenya I love you

Hey remember it wasn't me that was on the camera course, I use 'Simple Mode', point and click so don't have any expectations of my photos Chester Zoo 40683

Ian of course is a completely different matter, please have HUGE expectations for his photos 'cause I certainly do - no pressure eh !!!! lol!

**Laikipia** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:52 pm

I know

but you might get into it all now :study:

Ian will be panicking now in case he 'misses the shot' Laughing

Lai

Safari Maiden Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:10 am

Just caught this thread.

Lai you did very well! The meerkat what a fabulous little creature with such character that you really captured.

The Flamingos have such vibrant colours.

I think your are going to have loads and loads of wonderful photos and cant wait to see them. Not long now.

SM

**Laikipia** Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:49 am

Thanks SM - i've just decided that really as long as you are happy with what you get that's all that matters. Pete reckons I am far too critical Rolling Eyes

.

You are so right, not long now Chester Zoo 71418

Lai

**whitestarling** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:10 pm

Sorry Doogs Oooooops Embarassed

But I did press the shutter, not pull the trigger Chester Zoo 40683

WS

**Laikipia** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:58 pm

WS -

Lai ROFL

**littlewid** Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:40 pm

What you like WS!!!!!!.........those birds will come and get ya
Chester Zoo Pigeon10

littlewid-x- Chester Zoo 40683

**Laikipia** Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:50 pm

Littlewid - that's so funny Chester Zoo 768480

Lai

**whitestarling** Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:19 pm

Oh

I did say I pressed the shutter, not pulled the trigger
WS

**Doogs** Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:27 pm

WS & LW - Wot you two like !!! Brilliant though, love it Wink

**littlewid** Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:17 pm

Thats ok then WS........cos he had his friends at the ready as well......it would have been a messy battle affraid

littlewid-x- lol!

Safari Maiden Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:27 am

Looks like this thread has desending into 'Toilet humour' Wink

SM

**Laikipia** Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:44 pm

But guess who started it Rolling Eyes

WS

Lai

**whitestarling** Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:01 pm

Oh no I did'nt :What: it was Doogs what started it accusing me of shooting Seagulls. Of course then LW jumped on the bandwagon. So its their fault, I'm innocent as usual
WS