DSLR Speed Challenge #105- From The Zoo

"Chill'in"
20D
70-200 F4L non IS
F6.3
1/500
ISO 100

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40D
ISO 200
70-200 IS
f2.8
1/1600

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

this is the sad habitat they've provided to these monkeys.
They aren't too enthralled by their miserable existence either. I tried to capture their sense of isolation from their natural world through the composition. Times like that make we wonder about latent speciesism and the role zoos play in it. These are wonderful social animals that probably suffer horribly in these environments.

Ok - rant over. Let's ignore it, be happy.

Copperhead Closeup

From Zoo Atlanta on an earlier outing with my Rebel XT. Thank goodness for a telephoto lens, a monopod, and thick glass between me and the snake!

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From the Toledo Zoo.
f/4
1/40sec
ISO 200
Exposure
bias +0.3
Focal Legth 100mm

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Content

40D, f/5.6, 1/800, iso 800 @ 400mm

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I almost forgot...Contest closed. Results coming up

This one was really tough to judge...They were all excellent entries and all on topic. Before I announce the winner here are some random comments on the images. Please keep in mind that this is just one man's opinion and decidely subjective per my tastes.

Macroshot-Dreaming(of the next busload): Excellent capture Hank. Most every time I try to shoot lions they invariably are asleep. This is no exception but at least you caught him in a great pose. The chewed up tire adds to the story.

Mike53545-Keeping an eye on you: Very nice Mike. Bright colors and great bokeh.This shot really fill the frame. I just wish you hadn't disconnected the neck from the body. That eye IS creepy!

Kendoway-untitled: Another one with distinct eyes… I like the fact that it is in a natural habitat and doesn't looked caged in. That branch in front is a bittroublesome though. Still a fine entry.

4hero-The Thinker: Great use of B&W on this Neil Simple but effective. All of mankind's worries seem to be on this fellows mind. Very "thought" provoking.

katadog-This rock…/I'll teach those…: Another fine moment from the feline royalty! Nice capture kata. He/she seems almost cuddly (not that I would get in the enclosure…) I would try cropping it either left or right to make the tiger more off center. The rusty rock on the left is a bit distracting.

shack-untitled: Great close-up and wonderful bokeh. Just seeing his head and not the shell makes him look like a dinosaur. Pretty cool shot!

Flo-Beluga Show: Gail I really like your processing on this image. The beluga looks as though he's made out of porcelain. I'd like to see him slightly off-centerand maybe a little more of the reflection below. Great entry none the less.

Robuk-Bored: Great entry Rob. You captured a very introspective chimp. Is he thinking about breaking out? The next banana? The girl chimp nearby?I'm betting on the girl chimp.(I would say that the branch stump is in a very unfortunate place... LOL!)

Cuypers1807-Hanging out: Very whimsical Joby! Simple shot, great timing, I enjoyed it thoroughly

jerokaz-Chill'in: Great expression on his face; like he got caught in the act…He's almost dead center though, Try cropping the image by removing some ofthe lower water.

paintmblak-untitled: Nice but a bit busy (the foreground, branch behind the rump..) A tighter crop might be more effective. I like it though, He/she looks peaceful.

philmar-untitled: What a sad story. I've seen these macaques at some wonderful zoos where they're on islands closely resembling their natural habitat. This doesn't seem to be the case here. I viewed your larger image and, while the concrete wall adds to the story of their miserable surroundings, a tighter crop with a closer view of the macaques but retaining some of the "ugly" wall, would better show their forlorn existence. Powerful none the less.

lavanut-Copperhead Closeup: I feel the same way Lisa, I don't like snakes! And he's got his eye on you (or your XT) He blends in well with his surroundings…

Photo Tails-untitled: Orangs are some of my favorites to photograph. These gentle creatures are so expressive and very human-like. You captured a very tender moment. Well done (try playing with the levels to get a bit more contrast)

samueli-Content: Certainly seems to be! Great frame filling shot. Tack sharp and nice detail. Nicely done!

monty28428-Yawn: Killer shot Monty! Certainly looks ferocious...Are you sure he was yawning or maybe he doesn't care for the paparazzi.

Here we go...

Third place, monty28428-Yawn: Again, killer shot Monty! A lot of fine detail there including the fangs...Well done.

Second place, 4hero-The Thinker: Neil, Really wonderful expression, although a bit dark (at least on my monitor) Well done also.

I like 'em all but this one really stood out to me... (stump aside) and...

First place, Robuk-Bored: Just a great expression on this chimp the title fits the image. Great detail from fur to knuckes! Congratulations Rob!

Great game all!

Congratulations on 1st Robuk, it's an excellent shot and definitely worthy!

Thanks for 2nd Ed, and well done to everyone who entered, keep up the good work

Congrats Robuk! Great entries, all.

Congrats Robuk....

Way to go Robuk - excellent shot!

Nice job Ed and great set of photos everybody.

I really like so many of these shots because they made me laugh or smile. And I have to admit Gail's (Flo) initial comments about not having a zoo had me LMAO .

Congats to the winners - I liked them all for different reasons. Good subject for a challenge, Ed.

Nice shot Robuk, and congratulations! Way to go also to 4hero and Monty! Loved the fierce yawn, and the expressions on the apes' faces were great.

I agree with macroshot as well. So many of the shots were good for many different reasons. It was a great subject for a challenge, Ed!