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Last Saterday I spend the morning in the Amsterdam Zoo “Artis”. It’s a lovely big city center zoo that dates back to 1838. And at some part that shows 
For a photographer that poses new challenges. Cages with wire netting, small enough to keep the animal in, big enough for the people to see the animal. For me it brings out mixed feelings. For some animals it’s that way or not at all. More recently zoo’s started using glass instead of the wire. I several cases that makes life easier for me. It some cases even more difficult. With warmer temperatures, the glass gets wet and makes it impossible to get a good shot. Even zoo keepers can’t go in on a daily basis to wipe the screens for us photographers.
Recently I was in the zoo in Emmen and made a shot of a Siberian tiger behind glass. A case where there was only one spot on the glass to make the photo. So I waited until the tiger made his round and came in focus.
With this leopard it was a different case. He (or she?) was waiting for me. He probably was there hours before and hours after as well. Didn’t wait for it. Anyway. The leopard was behind wires. To the left was a tree in front of the wire. Moving further to the right causes the wire to stay in sight. The holes get to narrow when the angle increases. So it was almost head on or not at all. Next challenge was to find the right hole. The one that gives the largest frame with still a nice look. After a few minutes I found the spot and made the shot. The result you can see below.
If you want to see more of Artis, then go to my collection at Flickr and see some more photo’s. Personally I like the parrot and the griffon vulture, which are on the second page.
Back home there is currently a photo contest that I decided to enter. I submitted this photo:
Vulture in flight
So far it received almost 600 votes without advertising…
Still needs about 3.000 to get to the top…
So time for some advertising 
Please go to: http://fotowedstrijd.mijnalbum.nl/cisco/index.php?a=20&photoid=82 and vote!
Don’t let the Dutch scare you 
Thanks.
Black-and-white Colobus – Colobus satanas – Colobusaap, originally uploaded by Ed Steenhoek.
What can I say? Photo’s sometimes get a bit extra by something you don’t control. The way an animal looks or poses. This case it is definitely the pose. As if this black-and-white colobus is in prayer.
For a photo like this, you need a but of luck.
Luck began when a colleague of mine, Keith McAlpine handed me some tickets for the zoo in Emmen. Hadn’t he done that, I wouldn’t have been there in the first place. Then you start walking and at some point you reach the habitat of the colobus monkeys.
They were, expect for two smaller monkeys, hard to frame nicely. So, while I was looking for a good position I kept an eye open for the two that were sort of playing.
Then, suddenly, one sat down and started his prayer. I changed position and took the shot.
So far, the lucky part…
It was only afterwards that this became bizarre.
The shot was taken on April 30th, 2009 at 11:56.
Few minutes after the attack at the Dutch Royal Familie.
Right when the the impact started to show.
About the time the victom count started at 1.
A photo that started of with luck now has a special meaning for its entire existance.
Tags: Apeldoorn, Emmen, Monkey, Queensday 2009, Zoo
Meerkat, originally uploaded by Ed Steenhoek.
Today I uploaded my photo’s from my visit to Animal Kingdom back in 2007. The photo above is a sample of that set.
I only made a short visit – just about 4 hours. During this visit I learned that Animal Kingdom is more about roller coasters and other entertainment then it is about animals.
If I’ll be able to return to Orlando at some point in time, I will spend more time to redo my visit.
Anyway, if you want to see all 20 photo’s, just go to to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edsteenhoek/sets/72157614971288060/detail/.
A new year, a new series: photo of the week.
The first photo is the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug). Ranked first in week 3 of 2009.
I’ve taken this photo during a photo shoot at a falconer back in May 2008.
It was the first time I was this close to a falcon. He was sitting on a tree stump with in his back a gradual inclining embankment covered with grass. A the top there was a clear view of the sky. This is why you see the green lower part turn into blue about half way.
Lightning was pretty difficult that day. The sun was shining at its full strength. Normally we love these sunny days in The Netherlands because we have not to many of those. But since a day at a falconer has to be pre-arranged (and paid) weather is a given. The result didn’t turn out to bad.
Tags: Birds of Prey, Saker Falcon
Just before 2008 came to its end, I decided to visit the nearby Wildlife Park in Lelystad. The weather was good for the time of year. There was sun but it was freezing cold. Although the winters in the Netherlands aren’t what they just to be, this winter is trying to proof everybody wrong. The temperature was -7 degrees Celcius. I realized that I need to buy some gloves without fingertips to protect me a little and still allow me to shoot. Anyway, this time I had to do without them. A warm cup of coffee afterwards brought my fingers back to life again.
As you can see on the photo animals too understand that sitting around makes and keeps you cold. A little action will heat things up. These two kept challenging each other for some time. Due to the cold the park was rather empty. The lack of wind excluded the noise of the nearby roads. The result was silence combined with the rattling sound of their horns. One of those moments you fall in love with nature.
They kept me busy for a while. The light and there movements made it not easy to get a good shot. I found this one of the better shots.
On Flickr you will find some more shots including some of another – even younger – couple.
Since this is the first post of the year, I cannot leave you without wishing you and your loved ones all the best for 2009! Cheers!
Tags: Père David's Deer, Wildlife Park
Falco cherrug – Saker Falcon – Sakervalk, originally uploaded by Ed Steenhoek.
The photo above is taken during a photo shoot at falconers Ben and Marijke de Keijzer (Netherlands) with nature photographer Steven Ruiter.
On Flickr, this is probably my best photo yet. It’s ranked 1st (so far) on views and is both commented on as well as marked as someone’s favorite.
It has been a surprise to me how well the birds of prey shots are viewed. Apperently there is a serious interest in tese kind of photo’s. I just didn’t know.
This photo shoot was my first ever with Steven and with birds of prey. Steven provided very useful guidance. Still a second time around, I would most likely improve. Especially when these birds are flying. More about that in a later blog.
Tags: Birds of Prey, Saker Falcon
Red kangaroo, originally uploaded by Ed Steenhoek.
Together with my wife, I’ve spend a few days in Barcelona in April 2008. Since we both fancy going to the zoo, there was no doubt that during our visit we just had to visit the zoo. And so we did.
It was near the end of our visit – in fact we were walking towards the gate – when we passed the kangaroos. Normally they’re nothing special. But not this time!
One of them was posing as if it was on request. Laying on its side and looking as if he was asleep, he was resting on his elbows.
It was one of those moments that turns an average visit into one never to forget.
On Flickr this one is currently my most ‘favorited’ (as in other users marking this photo as their favorite) although it is not the highest in views.
Tags: Barcelona Zoo, Red Kangaroo
