There is a large group of flamingos across from the Zoo’s Leaping Lemur Cafe. Their long graceful necks and the color and texture of their plumage make them fun to photograph. This is one of my favorite shots from the zoo trip.
Animals / Birds / Hawk — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Harris’s Hawk 28 Oct 13
Harris’ Hawks are widespread from the southwestern United States through Central America and much of the drier habitats of South America. They are social birds and hunt cooperatively with other family members. Their group hunting style makes them popular in the sport of falconry.
Animals / Birds / Owl — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Barn Owl 2 21 Oct 13
The attendant for this owl told me that it was neurologically damaged and unable to live on its own in the wild. It had West Nile Virus which affected its balance.
Animals / Birds / Owl — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Barn Owl 14 Oct 13
The Barn Owl hunts by sound using its acute hearing. They are found in many countries and are not considered endangered or threatened. I have never seen one in the wild and was struck by the elegant beauty.
Animals / Birds — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Waldrapp Ibis 7 Oct 13
The Waldrapp Ibis is found in the San Francisco Zoo’s African Aviary. The Waldrapp is one of the most endangered avian species. There are perhaps 420 left in the wild and about 1,100 in captivity. It has been successfully bred in captivity and released back into the wild.
Animals / Birds — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Green-winged Macaw 30 Sep 13
Although they are called the Green-winged Macaw, the dominant color seems to be red. They are widespread in the woodlands and forests of central and northern South America. Those powerful beaks can produce a pressure of 2000 pounds per square inch.
Animals / Mammal — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Western Lowland Gorilla 2 23 Sep 13
The silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, a mature male at the San Francisco Zoo. Very imposing, the gorilla can weigh up to 400 pounds and can stand up to six feet tall. Although they are large animals, they are generally peaceful and shy.
Mammal — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Patas Monkeys 9 Sep 13
Patas monkeys spend most of their time on the ground. They are the fastest of all primates and can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. They are not aggressive and prefer to flee rather than fight. Lifespan is about 20 years in captivity and in the wild.
Animals / Mammal — Comments Off on San Francisco Zoo–Mandrill 2 Sep 13