Zoo Pics!!!

The Elephant Seals of San Simeon

I have decided to include only a few of my shots from the California trip on this site. The link to my Behance portfolio where you can see the rest of them is http://www.behance.net/Gallery/The-Elephant-Seals-of-San-Simeon/216041

Fremont Ducks Have No Fear!!!

This photo was taken while I was shooting some bees on a flower in Fremont. I was manually focusing my 100mm Macro lens (awesome lens at f/2.8, btw) when this colorful guy wandered right up on me. He was only 3.96 inches from the lens based on the focus ring. Woo hoo!

Thursday Night in Southworth

http://www.thekindnesskind.com/

We have arrived!!! After the battery on my Honda died in line at the Vashon/Southworth ferry dock, I arrived at the Rodstol lane farm just behind Charlie and Brandon. After some caffeine and dinner, everyone is brainstorming about how the recording is going to go tomorrow.

Luckily Kevin and I recorded our tracks two weeks ago, so I can blog and upload photos.

More photos tomorrow!

http://www.thekindnesskind.com/

Sea Lions from the Portland Zoo

Size

One of the largest of the pinniped family, male Steller sea lions can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, and females up to 770 pounds. Males are 10 to 12 feet long (they can be larger than a bear) and females average around 9 feet in length. Females are usually about one-third the size of males.



Reproduction/life span

Males maintain large harems of females after they reach social maturity at 5 to 7 years (and are able to defend a territory). Breeding season occurs from May through June in Oregon. Gestation takes about 9 months after which female sea lions give birth to one pup. Pups weigh around 50 pounds and are nearly 4 feet long at birth. Pups are born dark brown but in 4 to 6 months they shed to a lighter brown. Females give birth about every 1 to 2 years after reaching sexual maturity at 4 to 5 years. Males reach sexual maturity at 5 to 7 years. Steller sea lions live for approximately 20 years.


Stellar Cove Sea Lions

The exhibit is home to two males, named Augustus (Gus) and Julius. Gus and Julius were born at two different Sea World Parks in 1987, and came to the zoo from Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium. They are each fed between 25 and 35 pounds of fish a day, depending on the time of year. Both of these animals are blind.

Tapirs Galore!!!

These Tapirs were photographed at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wa.