Tag: photography

The Dallas Zoo

One of our favorite places to take the grandkids is the Dallas Zoo. It is always entertaining and fun because even if you’ve seen the animals before, they seem to always be doing something different. The zoo has a carousel which is a favorite with all the kids, young and old alike. Near the entrance, there are usually parrots sitting on some perches. Their bright colors start the day off right.

Then as you go passed the carousel, you arrive at the lemur area on your left. There are several different species of lemurs.

From there, you have to decide whether to go to the area with the larger animals, like elephants, giraffes, etc. or to the original area with the birds, monkeys, etc.

The last time we went, they were having a dinosaur exhibit in the older area. There is also a building that houses snakes, crocodiles, frogs and other reptiles. In the center court, there is a train ride for the smaller children. This area also has a stage where they host a show about different birds, a petting zoo and many other animals.


You enter the newer area by going through a tunnel that goes under a street to see the larger animals. These animals include gorillas, chimpanzies, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, lions, etc. The last time we were there a female gorilla had had a baby. It was one of the first days that they were able to be seen outside. Another time, there was a baby elephant.

This area has recently opened a rhino area. There is also a monorail that gives you an overview of many of the areas of the zoo. However, the last several times that we have been, the monorail was not working. I don’t know the reason it was closed; or if or when it will reopen.

Another interesting attraction is the ability to feed the giraffes. You are able to get really upclose and personal with them. The following picture does not depict this encounter, just a giraffe.

Many evenings the zoo has special programs. I have only attended one of these, and it was around Christmas. They were supposed to have one million lights, and I believe that they did.

We have spent many enjoyable days at the zoo. It is a wonderful place for families to go for an outing.

How I Got the Shot

In August 2011, we were experiencing a drought in North Texas. We decided to put a birdbath in the yard so that the birds could drink water and cool off. As an unexpected consequence, we began having a family of owls visit our backyard nightly for about a month. Every night, just as it got dark, two owls would fly in and land somewhere in our backyard, and eventually they would make their way to the birdbath. We started sitting on our patio so that we could watch them. We would be very still and suddenly without making a sound, they would appear. Being a novice photographer, it was unbearable to think that I wouldn’t be able to capture a decent picture of these beautiful creatures. But every time I would move, even just to lift up my camera, they would fly off. After about a week of the birds watching us and us watching them, they became slightly more relaxed around us. I was even able to take a picture of them. But in the dark, at the distance I was taking the photo from, they just weren’t good enough. So I hatched a plan. I brought a flashlight out with me, and every night I began shining it on the owls. The first few times, they’d fly away, but eventually, they got used to it. I’m not sure if it was because the light was “blinding” them or they just were more comfortable with me, but I slowly started moving closer to them. So every evening, I would go outside, turn on the flashlight, move a little closer and take a few pictures.

One night, we noticed a third, smaller owl. We decided that the original two must have been its parents. Because he was younger and less fearful, I was able to get relatively close to him, even with the flashlight and the camera clicking away. If you would like to see the pictures that I got that night, please visit my Etsy Shop. There are three pictures listed, two full sized and one smaller. It is smaller because I cropped it from a different picture to show the owl’s gorgeous eyes.

Please look around the shop. I hope you enjoy all of my pictures.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrannyShotIt