Michele 1 #1 October 31, 2006 Gail is a wonderful Mom. Her twins are doing incredibly well, and she's just the most attentive mom there is. Gail is a snow leopard who was handraised at the LA Zoo. Snow leopards are critically endangered, and when Gail's mom rejected her, the keepers stepped in and hand raised her. The LA Zoo has an active and successful breeding program, and she was artificially inseminated, and gave birth to two very healthy, big cubs on May 26 of this year. There was some hesitation and concern because Gail had been handraised she might not take to mothering well at all. But she has, and the babies are absolutely amazingly perfect; happy, healthy, gallavanting around, jumping out of trees onto each other. They are fast, and curious...and Gail watches them closely. Even though they won't get hurt getting into the running stream they have in their pen (it's very shallow), whenever one of the babies approached the stream, Gail came over and just watched to make sure they were o.k. She's great. I managed to tear myself away from the pen after about 90 minutes or so of shooting...I have lots of great shots to get through, but I pulled 5 to post up here. take a look, lemme know what you think, and don't they just make you wanna grab them up and take them home??? I was trying to figure out how I could get one out and into my car... Good grief, I have yet another reason to go to the Zoo. As if I needed more... Enjoy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #2 October 31, 2006 Good grief,That is a cute puppy Michele .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #3 October 31, 2006 Great pics, Michele! Those cubs are adorable!! Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #4 October 31, 2006 QuoteThose cubs are adorable!! Aren't they, though? And even more special when you consider the lack of snow leopards in the wild; any increase in their number is fantastic. I had a hard time leaving their enclosure - I could've stayed there all day. They, however, decided they needed to sleep...you can see the sleepy cub in the last photo - just after the shot was taken, it put it's head down and just fell asleep... They are so cute - and Gail is such a good Mom... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kris2extreme 0 #5 October 31, 2006 aww kittah aww. Very nice looking cubs, I definately want one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #6 October 31, 2006 Awwwww!!! It must have taken quite a lot of will power to finally leave. They're so precious. I wonder if human babies look cute to Gail? They probably just look like bite-size snacks for her little ones, but stranger things have happened (i.e. wolves raising babies.) you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #7 October 31, 2006 QuoteI wonder if human babies look cute to Gail? Dunno...since she was hand raised, she might view people in a different light than other exotics...I've heard she has a great relationship with her keeper, and that she allows the keeper and other handlers to interact with her babies without too much issue. So I really don't know. I do know that Lionel, the male lion, loves kids. Every time one comes up to the enclosure, he wakes, pokes his head up, and stares at them. He really looks like he's trying to figure out what the heck they are; I can stand there for hours and he'll ignore me...but let a wee one come by, and up he pops...he might be wondering if they're dinner, snack, or...?? But as for Gail, not sure. She has no hesitation coming right to the wire enclosure and sitting there watching me/us watch her. I have some shots of her; if I find the time later today, I'll post them. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #8 October 31, 2006 Very nice Michele... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #9 October 31, 2006 nice pictures michele...what lens??? how about a photo or 2 of Gail ???instincts are amazing and animals are pure instinct... how funny that we lost some of that when humans became "smart"... good thing most of the species on earth still have it right.....I sometimes feel for animals who are in zoos, but trust that they are resilient enough to handle it... A visit to a zoo is full of great visuals. Enjoy any time spent there whether with friends and family, or with a camera to keep you company... jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #10 October 31, 2006 Very nice pics!! I know you want to take home another kitty, but I think that one might play a little rough for your herd. Seriously tho, that's one gorgeous cat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites moodyskydiver 0 #11 October 31, 2006 Aww! very cute cubs.And VERY nice photography work.Thanks for sharing. It makes me want to take another trip to TCWR.For those now confused by the acronmy, it stands for Tiger Creek Wild Life Refuge.They are based right outside of Tyler,TX.They take in circus 'throw aways' or big cats who were once privately owned by civilians who realized it wasnt a good idea and couldnt take care of them after they had them (dumbasses!) and all sorts of other 'retired' big cats from zoos,ciruses,theme parks, performing acts or just neglected,maltreated, and ASPCA seized big cats etc. and give them a nice refuge to live out their years in peace.Its a small outfit,but the people are very nice and the animals get lots of love and attention.They have an agreement with the school so that they hire zoology majors from UT Tyler in their internship program.So its a pretty good setup all around. We sponsor one of the older Bengal Tigers there.Its similar to other sponsoring or 'in house adoption' programs.We send them X amount of $ per month or year to help offset the cost of his vet expenses,food, habitat upkeep etc. They send us pics of him and updates of how hes doing and we go up once or twice a year and visit the Refuge to 'visit' him.We were really excited last year when we went up b/c they are now expading the refuge for a bigger habitat for all the cats to play in.I cant wait to go back and see the progress on it. One of the really cool things is that, around the same time every day in the late afternoon/near dusk(about the time they close the refuge to the public).All the cats will start to "sing".They all just start roaring,growling,purring loudly, and "chuffing" in unison.But its not a scary sound like you'd think the sound of tigers and lions roaring would be..its actually a happy sound thats very melodic and sweet,like they're telling us goodbye.Anyone interested,check it out: Tiger Creek "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Michele 1 #12 November 1, 2006 Amber, that's a great place. I've heard only good things about it, and I know they were able to house several of the big cats from a horrible situation out here (private owner, abused and maltreated cats...horrific story). They are definitely one of the good guys reserves, you know? We have one out here called Shambala, and another that is a breeding program in the high desert. Both have what you describe - adoptions, visitations, and rescue operations. Shambala is run by Tippy Hedron (I think that's how you spell it), Melanie Griffith's mother and the actress who had the lead in Hitchcock's "The Birds". Wonderful place - and they have sleepover nights, too. Not that I can afford them, but what a treat that would be. And thanks for the compliments on the shots. Surprised at how well they turned out; the shooting conditions were less than ideal. But hey, they did come out, and I had a ball. I'll be heading back there soon for more shots. Two answers: The lens I used was my old film 75-300, which, on my digital, creates a zoom factor of 1.6x the 75-300. Allows me to get really tight into the enclosure. The problem is it's a very slow lens; 4-5.6. The camera body is a Canon 20D. The conditions were cloudy/overcast with breaks in the layer, so it could go from cloudy to sunny in a matter of moments. The lack of light meant I needed flash, and I didn't have my flash with me, so had to use the onboard one. Good little unit, but not good enough as I caught a whole hellofa lot of reflection in their eyes. So a bit of PS is in order for some of the best shots...the ones above have not been manipulated in PS other than levels, and brightness/contrast. As for a shot of the happy Mama, I will get one up in a little bit. She's a dear one is Gail...and justifiably proud of herself. Gimme a bit of time, and I'll get one up before I get off to class tonight. Thanks for looking and enjoying! I love the challenge photography at the zoo poses...it's all uncontrolled circumstances, and changing from moment to moment. Action, light, subject - all changes. Keeps me on my feet as it were. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Michele 1 #13 November 1, 2006 Here are a few shots of Gail...again, no PS manipulation, and not the best of the bunch (I need to work on the eye reflections). But I wanted to share the proud Mama with you all... Enjoy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Thunderbow 1 #14 November 1, 2006 Great pics. I would like nothing more than be able to pet one of those. They are absolutely beautiful. I don't care much for domestic cats but wild cats are incredible. I look at pics like that and just imagine being able to stroke the side of their head with a little scratch behind the ear.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lord, let me be the person my dog thinks I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Michele 1 #15 November 1, 2006 Thunderbow, I agree - there'd be nothing less amazing than to be able to touch one of these exotics. The official zoo photographer (who has been teaching me sooooo much about shooting) can go behind the perimeter fencing to the wire mesh, and always - ALWAYS - the animals come up and he scratches them through the fence. I keep asking him to let me do that, and he keeps telling me "not yet..." which means never, I think, unless I get to be the official zoo photog, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. LOLOL! And he's been into the nursery with Gail's babies, and got to handle them when they were wee little guys. Tad's lucky...and I'm jealous. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpjunkie2004 0 #16 November 1, 2006 Great shots Michele! Nice work!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... 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moodyskydiver 0 #11 October 31, 2006 Aww! very cute cubs.And VERY nice photography work.Thanks for sharing. It makes me want to take another trip to TCWR.For those now confused by the acronmy, it stands for Tiger Creek Wild Life Refuge.They are based right outside of Tyler,TX.They take in circus 'throw aways' or big cats who were once privately owned by civilians who realized it wasnt a good idea and couldnt take care of them after they had them (dumbasses!) and all sorts of other 'retired' big cats from zoos,ciruses,theme parks, performing acts or just neglected,maltreated, and ASPCA seized big cats etc. and give them a nice refuge to live out their years in peace.Its a small outfit,but the people are very nice and the animals get lots of love and attention.They have an agreement with the school so that they hire zoology majors from UT Tyler in their internship program.So its a pretty good setup all around. We sponsor one of the older Bengal Tigers there.Its similar to other sponsoring or 'in house adoption' programs.We send them X amount of $ per month or year to help offset the cost of his vet expenses,food, habitat upkeep etc. They send us pics of him and updates of how hes doing and we go up once or twice a year and visit the Refuge to 'visit' him.We were really excited last year when we went up b/c they are now expading the refuge for a bigger habitat for all the cats to play in.I cant wait to go back and see the progress on it. One of the really cool things is that, around the same time every day in the late afternoon/near dusk(about the time they close the refuge to the public).All the cats will start to "sing".They all just start roaring,growling,purring loudly, and "chuffing" in unison.But its not a scary sound like you'd think the sound of tigers and lions roaring would be..its actually a happy sound thats very melodic and sweet,like they're telling us goodbye.Anyone interested,check it out: Tiger Creek "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #12 November 1, 2006 Amber, that's a great place. I've heard only good things about it, and I know they were able to house several of the big cats from a horrible situation out here (private owner, abused and maltreated cats...horrific story). They are definitely one of the good guys reserves, you know? We have one out here called Shambala, and another that is a breeding program in the high desert. Both have what you describe - adoptions, visitations, and rescue operations. Shambala is run by Tippy Hedron (I think that's how you spell it), Melanie Griffith's mother and the actress who had the lead in Hitchcock's "The Birds". Wonderful place - and they have sleepover nights, too. Not that I can afford them, but what a treat that would be. And thanks for the compliments on the shots. Surprised at how well they turned out; the shooting conditions were less than ideal. But hey, they did come out, and I had a ball. I'll be heading back there soon for more shots. Two answers: The lens I used was my old film 75-300, which, on my digital, creates a zoom factor of 1.6x the 75-300. Allows me to get really tight into the enclosure. The problem is it's a very slow lens; 4-5.6. The camera body is a Canon 20D. The conditions were cloudy/overcast with breaks in the layer, so it could go from cloudy to sunny in a matter of moments. The lack of light meant I needed flash, and I didn't have my flash with me, so had to use the onboard one. Good little unit, but not good enough as I caught a whole hellofa lot of reflection in their eyes. So a bit of PS is in order for some of the best shots...the ones above have not been manipulated in PS other than levels, and brightness/contrast. As for a shot of the happy Mama, I will get one up in a little bit. She's a dear one is Gail...and justifiably proud of herself. Gimme a bit of time, and I'll get one up before I get off to class tonight. Thanks for looking and enjoying! I love the challenge photography at the zoo poses...it's all uncontrolled circumstances, and changing from moment to moment. Action, light, subject - all changes. Keeps me on my feet as it were. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 November 1, 2006 Here are a few shots of Gail...again, no PS manipulation, and not the best of the bunch (I need to work on the eye reflections). But I wanted to share the proud Mama with you all... Enjoy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderbow 1 #14 November 1, 2006 Great pics. I would like nothing more than be able to pet one of those. They are absolutely beautiful. I don't care much for domestic cats but wild cats are incredible. I look at pics like that and just imagine being able to stroke the side of their head with a little scratch behind the ear.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lord, let me be the person my dog thinks I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #15 November 1, 2006 Thunderbow, I agree - there'd be nothing less amazing than to be able to touch one of these exotics. The official zoo photographer (who has been teaching me sooooo much about shooting) can go behind the perimeter fencing to the wire mesh, and always - ALWAYS - the animals come up and he scratches them through the fence. I keep asking him to let me do that, and he keeps telling me "not yet..." which means never, I think, unless I get to be the official zoo photog, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. LOLOL! And he's been into the nursery with Gail's babies, and got to handle them when they were wee little guys. Tad's lucky...and I'm jealous. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #16 November 1, 2006 Great shots Michele! Nice work!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
