16 August 2008
Zoo Atlanta Lion Cubs
This was my first time making photographs of the lion cubs, which, according to a docent at the Zoo, were named "Large," "Medium" and "Small" until more suitable monikers are chosen. My friend, Ralph, and I have gone out shooting quite a lot to different places, but had never been together at the zoo. We both love animals (although he recently referred to butterflies as "filthy pestilence carriers," so I might have to turn him in to the folks at the American Society for the Prevention of Caterpillar Assaults (ASPCA)). He and his wife, Elaine, have the most beautiful yard I've ever seen, filled with beautiful flowers and birds. We went on the day when admission to Zoo Atlanta was free to residents of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, to thank them for voting for a bond referendum, which benefited Zoo Atlanta. I believe I was the only person who paid that day, not aware that Ralph was planning to get an extra ticket for me.
The lions are hard to shoot, because the best view of most of the habitat is through a thick pane of Plexiglas, which tends to distort the light and really mess with the focus and color. That, combined with the challenge of shooting around all those heads, makes for quite the adventure. I love to watch animals and their young. At their present age, everything the cubs do is adorable. And one cannot help but marvel at the mothering instincts of the female lion (or the gorilla or orangutan ...). This is why I love to go to the zoo. What follows are a lot of pictures. Some are slightly out of focus and some have dubious color. Some are little sequences and some will melt your heart. I took as many as I could before Ralph dragged me away.
Click on a "thumbnail" below to see the full-sized picture
All images © 2008 Stephen H. Moore All Rights Reserved
Stephen H. Moore - Ace Photographer
"You round 'em up, I'll shoot 'em"
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