Author: lisakimmorley

Sumatran Tigers at Melbourne Zoo.

Last weekend we went to Melbourne Zoo.  As regular readers will know, I visit the zoo as often as possible.  These tigers are creatures I always make sure that I go to see – I think they are beautiful animals.  Sadly, along with many other species, they are critically endangered.  According to the WWF,  it is estimated that there are less than 400 individuals left in the wild due to deforestation and poaching, which is why, in my opinion, organisations such as Zoos Victoria are so important with their captive breeding programmes.  The zoo had four cubs born in February 2010 which can all still be enjoyed there today.  Click on each image for a full view.

 

tiger 2
Brothers…
tiger1
Lunch! Taken through very dirty, scratched glass (at child eye level!) under his lookout point.
3
companionship

Crossing the t’s…

This is one of the trellis systems at work.  It is a large block which is nearly 4 Ha in area.  I have often seen this image in my mind, and after trying it with a wide-angle lens (which didn’t work) I finally took this at 300 mm which not only has compressed it, but also ‘fits’ the image I had.  

2000  

Unearthed (literally!)…

I have a new theme for the blog which I think will be better suited.  Apologies in advance for any odd or blank email notifications – I want to create some different pages with galleries, etc and is work in progress.  Please let me know if there are problems viewing it and feedback, as always, is welcome on the new look…..and so to the image today.  Not the best technically but this little frog literally missed death by spade by millimetres during some clearing work.   I believe it is called a Victorian Frog (Litoria paraewingi) and was about 3 cm long – safely relocated 🙂

froggie

Bad hair day?

I’ve been watching these Highland Cattle for ages, they get moved from paddock to paddock and are always just out of range.  This was a snatched opportunity when they finally came near enough.  I love the texture of their fur and the huge horns.

blade of grass horn fur

Welcoming the morning sun…

I think I have gone a bit ‘macrotastic’ lately!  These are some Osteospermum, again a member of the daisy/sunflower family.  I’ve included the black and white image as thought it best showed the fractal pattern of this seemingly simple flower 🙂

1 b&w 3

Wake up little sleepy head…

The onset of spring has made me feel like a little kid in a sweet shop – everywhere I look there are flowers or buds I want to make images of.  I have a current fascination with members of the daisy family that open and close with the rhythm of the sun.  This little daisy hadn’t as yet had the full benefit of the sun and its warmth as was taken early in the morning…

daisy2
Click to see more detail

Ice, ice baby…

We have a frost protection system at work which operates by means of overhead sprinklers.  The longer the temperature remains below freezing, the bigger and more dramatic the ice formations.  Last Thursday night the early end of winter had a sting in its tail….

2000
The background shows the fine mist created by the sprinklers
diagonal
End of trellis wires and posts
DSC_8065-Edit
The long formation is a piece of string!