? About San Diego WIld Animal Park

[SezzySue]

I will be going to the San Diego Zoo in about a week and a half. I was wondering if anyone has been to the San Diego Wild Animal Park? I want to go on one of the extra close up tours and I am not sure if it is worth the money.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/...o_caravan.html (http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_photo_caravan.html)

Does anyone recomend this as a day trip while I am there? I have hear some people say it wasn't all that great so I am unsure now. Take a look at my equipement and see what I can do.

Also post some pictures if you have been there.
Thanks

[In2Photos]

I have been a few times, but the last was about 8 years ago so I don't have the latest info on the park. I did want to tell you to have fun though.:D

[Skip Souza]

I believe that you have the perfect combination. We took the regular train trip last year and it was wonderful. We plan to take the close up tour the next time. It would have been convenient to have had my TC at that time. I also found my auxiliary flash to be quite handy.
Here are some pix.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25910&d=1125377992
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31558&d=1128456772
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31557&d=1128456772
The other handy piece is a circular polarizer.
Hope you have fun.

[SezzySue]

which lens did you use, those are great

[Skip Souza]

I shot the Lorikeet with the 17-85 IS and the other with the 70-300 DO IS. I had to crop the cow quite a bit so I could have used the TC that I have now. The IS was invaluable when shooting from the moving train. I see that your's is the non DO version but it should hold you in good stead.
If you take the up close truck tour you will probable use your 17-85 IS most.

[gmaize]

Sarah,

As a resident of San Diego, I enjoy both the zoo and the wild animal park. For your visit I would recommend seeing the zoo first. If you haven't gotten your fill of animals then head off for the wild animal park. Each, in itself, can be a full day event, so plan accordingly. If you choose the wild animal park, I would suggest first taking the tram tour around the large "natural" enclosures. It takes about 30-40 minutes and travels approx. 3 miles or so. If, after you have viewed the animals from the tram and there are certain favorites that you must see up close, then I would sign up for the close-up photo tour. The close-up tour is from the back of a safari truck that runs through the large areas you see from the tram and requires reservations, I believe, and can book up during prime time and weekends. There is certainly more than enough other things to see and photograph at both the zoo and wild animal park to fill all the data cards one can carry without the safari tour.

Have fun and let us see the results when you return.

--gmaize

[SezzySue]

I believe we are going to go to the Wild Animal Park first because we have been to the Zoo before. We are planning a 3-4 day trip. Thanks for the help. I will probably do the close up tour because I want to experience being that close. Thanks

[gkas]

The Wild Animal Park is a nice place to shoot. I'ver been there several times lately. Last year the wife & I bought a season pass to the park and the zoo. I've talked to friends about te close-up shoot. Most thought it wasn't worth the money. You can walk the large outside loop and get good shots. I wouldn't bring a tripod, but maybe a monopod if you have long glass. I shoot with a 100-400 and find lots of rests to shoot from. I find the lion encampment to be the most fun to shoot. On most days they are within 20 yards of the walk. No fence in between, just a moat. It's a great place to shoot. For photography, I find it much more fun than the zoo.

[MichelleK]

I live in San Diego :-)

We have passes to the zoo and wild animal park so we go alot.

If you can afford it and have the time I recommend the up close animal tours. You ride the train around the enclosure...pretty much needing a long zoom to get pictures (that is included in getting into park) but the close up puts you on a open jeep sort of thing and you drive into the enclosures and they stop so you can take pictures and pet the animals.

Michelle k

[SezzySue]

Which animals does it drive through? I am mostly interested int he Lions (probably too dangerous) and the giraffes.

[thundery]

Sarah,
I live about 15 minutes away from the wild animal park by car. When I have absolutely nothing to do and no one to be with - I grab the camera and go. I love the place - It's really relaxing to me. If you have the time, just slowly walk around the Kilimojaro Trail and you will get to see most of the Park. I haven't had very good luck with the lions as they always seem to be on the otherside of their run when I'm there. I still haven't gone on the Safari trip yet but It's coming in the future - You will love having your 70-300 there especially if you hit a sunny day. I usually go on a weekday - just photographers and mothers with strollers walking. I imagine weekends are pretty crowded.

[SezzySue]

that second one is priceless. We are planning to go on a weekday because of crowds. Now we are just looking for another photography oppertunity while in San Diego.

[::John::]

Now we are just looking for another photography oppertunity while in San Diego.

Sea World?? I thoroughly enjoyed a day there - lots to shoot and every area had amazing entertainment. Back then (1987) they had a 'street scene' at the end of the day with young people doing amazing stuff on skateboards...

As I think I mentioned, I was very impressed.

[MichelleK]

You get to see all the animals that live together out in the open...including the giraffes...the lions are caged on their own, but there is a bunch of animals that live together. zebras, rinos, antelope.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_photo_caravan.html

see all the animals hovering around the truck...they do that with all the different animals

Michelle K

[SezzySue]

Yes we were at Sea World last June. I loved.

[Maureen Souza]

Go see the Hotel Coronado..... it is spectacular as well as the beaches there.

[Steve Parr]

that second one is priceless. We are planning to go on a weekday because of crowds. Now we are just looking for another photography oppertunity while in San Diego.

If you can't find another photo opportunity in San Diego, sell your camera!

San Diego is great for photography. The Hotel Del Coronado, and the surrounding beach, is great. You can also get some good shots of the downtown San Diego skyline from the ferry landing on Coronado. Beaches, mountains; you name it, San Diego is a good place to find it.

I prefer the Wild Animal Park over the San Diego Zoo, although both are excellent photo opportunities. Be ready to pony-up for the "up-close" safari tour. The cost is between $90.00 and $130.00 per person, depending on which tour you take. That said, you'll probably never get the opportunity to shoot some of these animals without travelling to Africa on safari, so think of all the money you'll save on airfare...

[thundery]

There are some great shots to be had just by driving or walking around the Harbor (the Embarcadaro & Sea Port Village, Shelter Island, Harbor Island and Point Loma). The Cabrillo Lighthouse is at the end of Point Loma. LaJolla offers tide pools and don't forget the cliffs along most of the county's beachs. Also good views of the city from Coronado. If you are into a bit more rustic, east county offers Julian. If your shutter finger gets tired, I think that San Diego County offers the most Indian Casinos of any county in the US :)

[MichelleK]

I prefer the Wild Animal Park over the San Diego Zoo, although both are excellent photo opportunities. Be ready to pony-up for the "up-close" safari tour. The cost is between $90.00 and $130.00 per person, depending on which tour you take. That said, you'll probably never get the opportunity to shoot some of these animals without travelling to Africa on safari, so think of all the money you'll save on airfare...

lol...I think I will have to do one of the up close tours before I move away in September.

Sea World is great for pictures...we go there 2-3 times a month.

Michelle K

[Steve Parr]

lol...I think I will have to do one of the up close tours before I move away in September.

Sea World is great for pictures...we go there 2-3 times a month.

Michelle K

I'm going to treat myself to oone of those tours, as well.

I've never shot at Sea World. My wife keeps tellinig me I should. Along with membership to the Zoo, I think I my buy a Sea World "Fun Card". Pay for one admission, and get in free for the rest of the year.

Where ya' movin' to? You're leaving our bastion of sunshine and mediocre surf??

[MichelleK]

Where ya' movin' to? You're leaving our bastion of sunshine and mediocre surf??

Yep...I am moving to Washington. We are military and want to buy a house. No way we can buy a house here in San Diego on just a militarys salary.

I am going to look forward to having seasons though, and not hearing about pandas every other day on the news :-)

Michelle K

[SezzySue]

Hey I know EXACTLY what you mean. I am in Vegas with the military and I would never try to own a house here. We were approved for $180,000 and that can buy you a ratted old trailor. Same thing with the new, NOTHING NEW. I can't wait until we move.

[Steve Parr]

I hear ya'.

I'm retired Navy. We bought seven years ago, and the VA would guarantee up to $205,000.00. We came in just under that.

No way I'd be able to afford the same house now; it's almost tripled in value...