Wildlife Safari Photography

Gibbon Apes - Sharing Breakfast

2009-08-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't it sweet how this gibbon ape was sharing a breakfast banana with his mate? :)

NOT! He handed it to her and when she reached for it he pulled it back.. twice! The third time he did it to her, she turned her back on him and wouldn't even look at him.

these mates have been together on their island as long as I've been going to the Safari. The female had a baby at one time that was fun to watch.

Sika Deer

2009-08-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

The male sika deer get pretty scruffy looking at times. This one is looking quite cool with his fancy earring though.

Teddy Bear

2009-08-04T19:22:00.001-07:00

Just a big ol Teddy Bear

Lion Collage - Camera Critters

2009-07-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

I was touched by an email I received yesterday from Amy in Virginia. (Hi Amy) Amy and her daughter had watched a pair of lion cubs grow up at their local zoo and had fallen in love with the animals. When more lion cubs were born at the zoo, the two older cubs had to be moved to other wildlife facilities. Amy did a web search to see where the cubs moved to and discovered one was going Wildlife Safari in Winston Oregon and found my Wildlife Safari blog.

In Amy's email she said: "I was wondering if you might be willing to watch over our male lion cub Granby when he arrives at your beautiful wildlife park. I would love to find out how he is doing and see images as he grows"

Of course I look forward to Granby's arrival and will share news and photos of him as I get them.

I decided to put together a collage of some of my favorite Wildlife Safari lion posts so Amy can see how well and happy the lions are here.

Be sure to check out other Camera Critters here

Giraffe - A Handy Tongue

2009-07-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

Giraffe's have long and evidently strong tongues. This one was breaking pieces of a stick off with his tongue before eating them.

White Fallow Deer

2009-06-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Some of these deer have awesome racks.

Fear and Frustration - Camera Critters

2009-06-13T00:26:00.000-07:00

It looks like just a small wire fence separating the lion and the nilgai but the nilgai really aren't in any danger. They did look a little jumpy though :) It must be frustrating for the lion so see them so close but so far out of reach. There is a very lion-proof fence and more distance than it seems between them.

Be sure to check out other Camera Critters here

Pretty Baby - Zebra Style

2009-06-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Aren't babies wonderful? Species doesn't matter. I gave this beauty a little of a "glamour glow" treatment. Not that she wasn't beautiful before, its just fun to play with filters sometimes.

Barbary Sheep

2009-06-08T00:38:00.000-07:00

I know he looks more like a mountain goat than a sheep but he really is. His other name is aoudad.

The Barbary Sheep is native to North Africa and is still located in very isolated mountainous areas there, but it was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, at first only raised in zoos and private sanctuaries. In 1950, the first animals were released into the wild, and they settled in to New Mexico. More were released in Texas around 1957, where they continue to thrive. Currently, there are large populations of Barbary Sheep found in Spain, California, Texas, and New Mexico, but they are harder to find in their native Sahara Desert. Barbary Sheep are indigenous to dry mountain ranges, usually deep in the desert. They are extremely agile, jumping from stone to stone and climbing steep inclines.

Where's Waldo - Camera Critters

2009-06-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

The male rhea sits on the eggs and raises the babies. Its hard to see the baby tucked safely into the papa rhea's feathers.

Be sure to check out other Camera Critters here

Sleeping Kitty

2009-06-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

Bear Play

2009-06-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

The young brown bears at the Wildlife Safari are usually quite active.

They are much more fun to watch than the older ones... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bear Hug

2009-05-30T23:01:00.001-07:00

Weird hair Day

2009-02-02T18:49:00.001-08:00

Roosevelt Elk

2008-10-14T23:50:00.001-07:00

Funny Face - Llama

2008-10-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

Llamas are such adorable critters.

Sarus Crane

2008-09-28T19:46:00.001-07:00

The sarus crane is the world's tallest flying bird. An adult male may stand up to six feet tall. The bare skin on the head and neck changes in color and intensity with the bird’s mood, providing another way for the cranes to communicate. These canes are very powerful fliers, and are most often seen flying in a line or V-formation. They are very hardy birds, able to survive severe winters.

Sarus cranes are the only resident breeding cranes in India and Southeast Asia. In many regions, especially areas dominated by the Hindu religion, local traditions and religious beliefs have protected the sarus crane. To the natives of India, the Sarus Crane is a symbol of a happy marriage. Crane pairs perform elaborate courtship dances, combining leaping, bowing, prancing, and calling in duet.

Despite protections the sarus crane is suffering a rapid population decline. Loss and degradation of wetlands due to agricultural expansion, industrial expansion, and pollutants continually threaten the survival of the sarus crane.

George - A meeting of the minds

2008-09-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is George. He was born in Africa. This encounter was one of the reasons I first fell in love with the animals at Wildlife Safari. It was an emotional few minutes, at least from my perspective. I had stopped to look at him and was struck by the fact that he was not only looking at me too, but looking straight into my eyes. I can't explain the feeling. I got the impression of a wise, but sad, old man who had something to tell me.. who needed me to understand.

I get goosebumps again just writing about it.

I was so touched by this encounter that I went home and attempted to write down what I felt.

George…

Look at me
he whispered silently
not with words
but with his eyes

see me…
please…
he drew me in
I couldn’t pass him by

What might he have to say?

he looked at me with eyes
that could see into my soul
listen to me, he pleaded
let me show you what I know

he held me captive with wizened eyes
chains as strong as the iron bars between us

he spoke to me of freedom
he showed me carefree days
spent on dusty plains…
watering holes…torrid rain

I felt the elation
of running with the herd

as he spoke to me of yearning
I began to understand
that he was home…
yet his spirit longed
for things that might have been

hear me, he spoke silently
please…. just know who I am.

I'm Featured!

2008-09-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

Got an email from KATU News in Portland, Oregon asking if they could feature this blog on their website. Of course I said yes :) Check it out quick, it might be gone tomorrow.

Check it out here

Thanks Shannon

Brown Bear

2008-09-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

There are three older, larger brown bears and three young brown bears at the Safari. This is one of the older bears.

Just a Little Lion Lick

2008-09-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

We used to be able to drive through the lion area and the lions were free to roam within that area. Of course we had to have the windows up but could still get some good shots of them through the glass. Now there is a fence between the area where we drive and where the cats live so there will be no more good close-ups of the lions. I'm sure this is for the benefit of the animals and they still have a large area where they can roam but I'm going to miss getting the good photos of them.

Updated Update

2008-09-11T18:14:00.001-07:00

Still don't have my computer. Check out
my other blog for a detailed update

2008-09-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

I've had a computer crash. This one is just barely moving now. I've ordered a new one and it should be here about Sept 10-12. See you then :)

Being Different - Black Buck

2008-08-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

I really like this little black buck. She is different from all the others both in shape and color. The others are very sleek and slim and none of the others have this white on their facs.

This one has come up to the car and let me pet her twice. The first time it was pouring rain out and she pressed up against the car to get warm I think. I LOVE when an animal lets me touch them.

If you click on the Black Buck link below you can see what the normal animal looks like.

Tug-of-War, Bear Style

2008-08-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

These young bears were playing tug-of-war with a bone today.

Strange Goose

2008-08-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

Doesn't he look like he has two beaks? One wide open and another one inside.

Artsy Flamingo

2008-08-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

There birds are pretty enough without doing extra artsy things on them but sometimes I just can't resist.

Don't look at me. I didn't do it!

2008-08-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Size Doesn't Matter

2008-08-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

Friends come in all sizes

Guanaco and Child.. aka cute overload

2008-08-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Baby Buffalo

2008-08-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

There are several baby buffalo at the park this summer.

I want some too!

2008-08-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

This nilgai was getting some special food with medicine in it and the park employee had her job cut out for her trying to keep the guanaco from eating it too.

Lion King

2008-08-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

This old lion has so much character in his face. Royalty through and through.

Babies

2008-08-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

What could be cuter than a zebra baby?

Two zebra babies... of course.

Say What???

2008-08-03T00:19:00.000-07:00

This East African Crowned Crane looks like hes trying to stare me down.

Nose to Nose

2008-08-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

Water Games

2008-07-31T23:17:00.000-07:00

These young brown bears were enjoying the water on a hot day.

Fat Black Buck

2008-07-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

Black Bucks are generally slim animals but this one looks like he ate the rhino :)

He listened intently as I talked to him. Look at those loooong lashes.

Squirrel Antics

2008-07-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

There are lots of squirrels in the park.

This critter was alternately flattening himself out....

....and puffing himself up

He was fun to watch

Zebra Love

2008-07-28T21:54:00.001-07:00

Prrrr

2007-09-14T23:28:00.001-07:00

Being Unique

2007-08-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

This black buck has one horn twisting the wrong way.

Pretty Baby

2007-08-21T22:11:00.001-07:00

Black Buck

2007-08-09T21:53:00.001-07:00

Sika Deer and Sarus Crane

2007-08-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

Animals get along well at the Wildlife Safari. Its peaceful to watch them mingle naturally in the different areas.

Interesting Facts
To the natives of India, the Sarus Crane is a symbol of a happy marriage. Crane pairs perform elaborate courtship dances, combining leaping, bowing, prancing, and calling in duet.
The bare skin on the head and neck changes in color and intensity with the bird’s mood, providing another way for the cranes to communicate.
Sarus Cranes are very powerful fliers, and are most often seen flying in a line or V-formation.
They are very hardy birds, able to survive severe winters.

Precious Faces - Camel

2007-08-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

Watching me watching him. What a gift I got today. This fellow came up to my car and let me pet him. I was thrilled. His muzzle was as soft as it looks.

Precious Faces - Guanaco

2007-07-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Don't you just want to kiss that soft little nose? OK maybe not kiss.. but at least snuggle up to :)

Super Papa Rhea

2007-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

I am very much impressed with this male rhea. He is taking care of another brood besides his own because some of the chicks are older. Way to go Papa Rhea!!

Raggedy Maggedy Blues

2007-07-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Poor, poor Maggie Blues. He looks awful with his partial haircut. Hope they get the rest of him done soon.

More Haircuts

2007-07-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

They even tried to give my sweet Maggie Blues a haircut. I have a feeling he put up quite a fight... ya think?

If you don't know Maggie Blues, my absolute favorite animal at the Wildlife Safari, click on the maggie tag below to meet him and see why I'm in love with him.... and how he changed from a she to a he.

THEY SKINNED SHOTZY!!!

2007-07-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

OK so they didn't really skin him but when you look at the next photo and see what he used to look like... he's skinned

This used to be Shotzy :) An employee one time said since they are wild llamas they don't sheer them but I think the recent hot spell changed their minds. They all look so funny. I don't think they had professional sheerers lol.. but I know the llamas feel better.

Baby Yak

2007-07-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

So many babies at the Safari last weekend. This baby yak was nestled in the grass with its mother standing close by.

Baby Guanaco

2007-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I've seen a baby guanaco. Isn't he adorable?

Baby Buffalo

2007-07-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

Papa and Baby Rhea

2007-07-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

It cooled down enough for me to get back out to the Wildlife Safari today and what a treat I had. Babies everywhere!

This baby Rhea was so precious he almost made me cry. There were lots of these babies but I couldn't get into a position to get them all. I will definately go back tomorrow and try to get more.

The male rhea sits on the eggs and raises the babies. This poor male looked worn out from taking care of this brood but he was doing a good job. When he saw I was between him and his kids he hurried over to gather them up.

pfffttt!

2007-07-12T00:23:00.001-07:00

If I stand very, very still....

2007-07-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

...maybe he won't notice me

Nilgai

2007-07-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted to this blog for awhile. I still occasionally get emails from people telling me they enjoy the photos posted here and I start feeling guilty that I have neglected keeping the site up. Especially when I have jillions of Safari photos in archives.

So, at least for now I'll be posting photos occasionally.

Sika Friends

2007-01-07T19:54:00.001-08:00

Lioness

2007-01-01T13:47:00.001-08:00

Funny Face - Giraffe

2006-12-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

Sika Deer Dinner

2006-12-10T21:29:00.001-08:00

BIG Baby

2006-12-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

I think this nilgai is getting a little too big to nurse. He seems to have a very patient mother.

Barbary Sheep

2006-12-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

Tiki, Alice and George

2006-11-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

I haven't shown the elephants for awhile. They were out on a walk with some employees today.

Shoddy

2006-11-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Shoddy died this year at the age of 46, the oldest rhino in the US. This photo was taken Nov 2005.

Taryn, A Lonely Rhino

2006-11-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

Taryn was down off her hill today but she looks so sad. She would eat for awhile and then just lay her head down on the trough. If rhinos could sigh, she would have.

Taryn lost her companion, Shoddy, this year. When Shoddy died he was 46, the oldest rhino in the US.

The Chase

2006-11-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

These photos are not good because these guy were running at top speed and I was panning with my camera and laughing at the same time. I have no idea why this black buck took off after the rhea and the rhea didn't hang around to ask why either. It was so funny.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

He never did catch him. Just chased him so far and stopped.

Nilga Feeding

2006-11-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

These Nilgai were sharing something green from a trough.

Every once in awhile a head with a green nose would pop up.

Precious Imperfection

2006-11-16T19:36:00.000-08:00

There is a sika deer in the park with one eye. She is still beautiful and I have never seen any of the other deer treating her any differently from the others. The female sikas are a close group and spend a lot of time grooming one another. I was very touched one day when I watched several others grooming this one eyed deer. One was licking where her eye was missing and she was standing still obviously enjoying the tender grooming.

Ahhhh, a little to the left...

2006-11-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

These park visitors got quite a treat when a camel stopped by for a scratch. I sent the visitors copies of the photos.

Apologies To The Buffalo

2006-11-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

I really love the labels we can do in blogger now. I got all the animals labeled on this blog so if you want to see all the photos of a particular animals you can click on the list on the right to bring up all those photos.

Now that I have that done, I notice there are a few animals I have pretty much ignored such as the lone buffalo shot I had. So now I am adding more buffalo shots with apologies to the herd :)

Funny Face

2006-11-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

There aren't too many animals that can make a face as funny as a giraffe.

Six Sika Butts :)

2006-11-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

1 2 3 Kick!
1 2 3 Kick!

Ever Watchful

2006-11-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

East African Crowned Crane

2006-11-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid something might have happened to one of these cranes. There were two of them but the last few times I've been to the safari I could only find one. Hopefully the other one has just been hiding out somewhere.

Brown Bear Snack

2006-11-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

OK no more llamas for awhile.. I promise.

The bears will be hibernating soon. I'll miss them. The Wildlife Safari is one of the few wildlife preserves that allow the bears to hibernate naturally in winter.

This bear found a plant to taste

but I don't think he liked it. YUK!

Maggie Blues

2006-10-31T19:23:00.000-08:00

OK here I go just like a grammy showing photos of her favorite grandkid. This is Maggie Blues, my favorite animal at the Safari. He has so much personality. No matter what the rest of the herd is doing, he always does his own thing. Maggie Blues definately dances to the tune of a different llama drummer. He has lots of different expressions as you can see here.

Sometimes Mags laughs

Sometimes he gets a "I'm soooo much better than you" look

Sometimes hes just plumb silly

When I first fell in love with Mags, I thought he looked like a she and the name Maggie seemed to fit so thats what I called him. Later a Safari employee told me she was a he named Blues.

This is his Farmer Brown look.

Can you see why I adore this silly animal?

Llama Week Catch Up

2006-10-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

I think this is the rest of the herd except for Maggie Blues and he deserves his own day to shine.

Thanks to Claire from the Safari we have names for all the llamas.

Aleevia

Destiny

Symbolina

Kitty-Wikkins

Llama Week Too

2006-10-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Another Beauty. They each have their own look.

Trinity

Llama Week

2006-10-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

This is my second favorite llama at the Safari. Some of you know about my favorite llama, Blues (who used to be called Maggie) but I will have him (who used to be a her) on later this week.

This one looks a bit like a darker version of Blues. If Safari staff sees these, it would be great if you tell us the names of these llamas as I post them.

Shotzy

Llama Faces

2006-10-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Llamas are wonderful, funny animals with oodles of personality. I'm thinking this might be llama week on this blog.

Waterbucks

2006-10-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

Waterbucks are very striking animals with their white markings. There was something I liked about the composition of this first one even though they are butt shots :)

It would be hard to tell these two apart.

Taryn, A White Rhino

2006-10-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

Taryn usually stays up on a hill away from the road but today she came down close enough for me to get a few shots. There used to be two rhinos, but her companion, Shoddy, died at the age of 46, the oldest rhino in the US. I'm sure Taryn is lonely. The Safari is working to raise money for transportation to get two more. I would imagine it is quite expensive.

Thanks Safari staff, for the corrections.

Black Swan

2006-10-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

This black swan was resting with her head snuggled down into her feathers but was also keeping an eye on me.

Mother and Child

2006-10-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more precious than the bond between mother and child. Nothing demonstrates this tender bond more beautifully than a mother feeding her child as nature intended.

Lions and Leaves

2006-10-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

Another sure sign Fall is here. I laughed when I saw this. Mother Nature is not afraid to drop leaves, even on the king of the jungle.

The Lion and The Vine

2006-10-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

The sun was way too bright to get any decent shots at the Safari today but I thought this one was interesting. This lioness looks fierce here but she was actually playing with this blackberry vine.

I had to make this black and white because the sun caused blown out spots, but I kinda like it this way now.

Emu

2006-10-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

I'm headed to the coast then up to Portland for a conference. I won't be posting until Wed evening, Oct 11.

A Rare Two-Headed Llama

2006-10-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hungry Hungry Hippo

2006-10-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is one of two hippos at the Safari. Its impossible to stay in my car and get a picture of them without the wires from the fence around them showing. I cheated on this one and removed the wires. I did a sloppy job so you can see where the wire was if you look closely. The bottom is the "before" shot.

Nothing like a good shake

2006-10-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Mixed in with the bubbles, foam, splashes and sprays, there is a brown bear enjoying a swim in one of two ponds in their compound.

Aoudad (Barbaby Sheep)

2006-10-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Safari Treats

2006-10-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Both my blogs are long today and I apologize if they are slow to download for you. They each tell a story so multiple images are necessary.

This is Claire. She was giving the animals treats today. They came running from all directions.

The yak seemed to like the peppers

The sika deer liked the peppers too and just about everything else

including checking out the boxes to see what was left.

The black buck checked out the oranges

The nilgai munched on the apples

and the carrots.

The goose looked for anything she could find without getting stepped on

but Claire got the best treat of all. She got to pat a few noses and scratch an ear or two. I want her job.

Guanaco

2006-09-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

"I have what on my nose??"

Peek-a-Boo

2006-09-27T23:33:00.000-07:00

Stripes

2006-09-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Zebras are such striking animals. Their markings are like works of art.

Hey it's Hay!

2006-09-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

This park employee had hay in her little truck and the giraffe's were following her around to get bites.

Injured White Fallow Deer

2006-09-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

Today at the Safari I saw this white fallow deer with a wound in her back. She appeared to be in distress mostly from trying to keep the flies from landing on her wound. The Wildlife Safari takes very good care of their animals so I assumed this was a fresh wound that they didn't know about. I sat by the animal for awhile, watching for a park employee to drive by so I could stop them.

After about 10 minutes the deer got up and started to walk away. I was concerned that she would disappear before an employee showed up so I used my cell phone to call the park to tell them where I was and what the situation was. They sent a park ranger out right away.

The ranger told me it was an old wound and they were watching it. About 6 months ago the deer escaped from her area and unfortunately the area she escaped to was the cheetah area. A cheetah grabbed her causing the wound before she got away. The ranger said it reopens occasionally but it heals up again.

I felt better knowing they are aware of it but I wish there was something to put on it to keep the flies off. Poor baby.

White Fallow Deer make their home in Central Europe where they were introduced by the ancient Romans.

The Wildlife Safari has a large herd of the animals (possibly 25-30). The females usually stay together in one group...

and the males stay together in another group.

Nilgai Family

2006-09-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

This beautiful nilgai family were almost posed perfectly. I tried to get the baby's attention but he wouldn't look my way.