An Assortment of Birds

It’s been a little longer than I’d like since my last photo post.  I’ve hurt my ankle and between doctor visits, physical therapy, and working an alternate schedule at work to accommodate for my injury I haven’t had a lot of down time.  I’m back to my normal schedule at least now, and am doing a little less running around.  Here are a few shots of birds I saw at at the Brevard Zoo here in Florida.  I think they are so beautiful!  (Not necessarily the photographs, but the birds!)  I just love watching them.  The more I photograph birds, the more I want to be a wildlife photographer.  That can be a very expensive hobby to have, unfortunately. 

The Bald Eagle

The Red-Tailed Hawk

The Blue and Gold Macaw

Thanks for taking a look!

Meerkat Mob

Aside from the Giraffe exhibit, this is where I spent most of my time at the Brevard Zoo.  I went on my way into the zoo for a while, and again on the way out.  Here is my photoshoot with the Meerkats! 

Meerkats are matriarchal, and the alpha female has control over the group.  Below is Kiki, the head of the mob in this exhibit.  I knew I had to get a portrait of the head, and she was a pleasure to work with.  She does look fierce doesn’t she?

Here you can see her playing a slightly more gentle role… I thought it was sweet but at first as you can see no one really wanted to look at the camera for me. 

That’s better.. sort of.  I love how she has her arm wrapped around the baby.  It definitely shows her softer motherly side.

I caught these (brothers?) guys just hanging out back to back… but again you see my dilemma with not getting them to look at me.  The little one on the left just didn’t’ want to have his photo taken at all.  They remind me of a certain little white furball who lives with me. 

After waiting around a while longer, and a little coaxing from his buddy, I got both of them at least looking in the same direction.  I would have liked to have a better angle, but for these guys I’ll take it!

Aren’t they cute!

Okay, finally I was attempting to organize a family photo (or partial family, there were many more meerkats not in this shot.)  But as you can see, I had my work cut out for me. 

A very long time, and many shots later, this is the best we could do.  Christmas card worthy? 

The Meerkats may look cute and cuddly, but don’t be fooled.  As soon as food is out they are vicious!  We got to see the zoo keeper put food out and they went pretty crazy.  I wouldn’t dare get in their way. 

I very much enjoyed my time watching these guys, and I hope you like the pictures!  If you’d like to read a little about the exhibit or see some additional photos, the zoo has an article about them here:  http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2014/04/meerkat-brevard-zoo.html

Thanks for looking!