Wildlife Photography Makes Me Smile
*** myPhotoWalk — Photo Tech Talk ***
I walked through the turnstile at the entrance of the Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park carrying my Nikon D800E with the Nikkor 80-400mm lens, and, of course, a monopod in tow. I was looking forward to some concerted time to refresh and renew. And since I was visiting in Phoenix, the obvious photo shoot site was the Wildlife World Zoo in nearby Litchfield. I couldn’t wait to capture images of those amazing animals. There is just something about looking into the eyes of any animal that touches my heart and soul.
The place I always stop first at the Wildlife World Zoo is the flamingo exhibit right near the entrance. I could literally be there for hours. Those flamingos are amazingly quirky and funny and keep me laughing nonstop. I can capture literally hundreds of images there. But this particular day was special. As I approached, I saw these two flamingos wrapped around each other forming the shape of a heart with their long necks. Amazing! Beautiful! I immediately planted the monopod firmly on the ground and zoomed in to 400mm and began shooting on continuous high. And oh how glad I was that I was ready for capturing photos as soon as I walked in the park. The flamingos only stayed in this heart position for about a minute. But I was at the right place and right time. And more importantly, I was prepared for capturing the images.
This heart pose makes me smile again and again. And that’s what flamingos and most other wildlife always do for me. They do unusual and often amazing things when you least expect it. I’ve watched snowy white egrets dance on top of the water as if performing in a ballet. I’ve seen a black-crowned night heron glaring right back at me from its perch high in a tree. I’ve had mule deer curiously walk right up to me at Bryce Canyon National Park as I stood with my camera capturing their beautiful faces.
The one thing I’ve learned in wildlife photography that is so important is to be ready with your camera. If you have to put everything together including camera, lens, and support with tripod or monopod, you will miss the shot. Most animals will not pose for you. They are constantly on the move. So even when I am out in the landscapes of a national park, I always have my camera and lens on the tripod or monopod so I can just grab it and capture the shot.
And if you need to be refreshed in the midst of a busy time in your life, I encourage you to go to your nearest zoo with camera in hand. You will be rewarded. And I guarantee you that you will see something so amazing it will make you smile.
♥ Blessings and Grace to You!
myPhotoWalk Devotional
myPhotoWalk Technical
- Title: The Heart Of Flamingos
- Description: Two flamingos forming a heart at Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park, Arizona, USA.
- Creator: Catherine Martin
- Date Created: 04/17/15
- Camera: Nikon D800E, Nikkor 80-400mm, FL 320mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/250sec.
- Photoshoot: myPhotoWalk PhotoShoot at Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park, Arizona, USA..
- Post-Processing: Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Photoshop, Nik Software, Topaz Software.
- Copyright ©2017 Catherine Martin – myPhotoWalk™ – Quiet Time Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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Psalm 19:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David — The heavens declare the glory of God.
Copyright © 2017 Catherine Martin — Quiet Time Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
