Bald Eagle

20110513_359, originally uploaded by otterblossom.

Bald Eagle at the National Aviary. Last Thursday, I spent the day there, from several hours before they opened to a bit after closing.

Merlin the Great Horned Owl

Merlin 20110430_82, originally uploaded by otterblossom.

one of the photos I took at the photography workshop at the Pittsburgh Zoo this past Saturday

NaPoWriMo #28

gangly and awkward
all legs and joints and angles
first steps so wobbly
with mother’s milk and sunshine
foal is ready to explore

NaPoWriMo #27

curiosity
overcomes reservations
steaming up my lens

NaPoWriMo #24

curiously climbing
arboreal otter
hides above the water
among the leaves

NaPoWriMo #23

meerkat sentinel
watching, ever vigilant
guarding family

NaPoWriMo #20

their playful patterns
like painted puzzle pieces
African Wild Dogs

NaPoWriMo #18

kids
and
bears

playful
bubbles
laughter

face to face
through the glass
friendships form

hands pressed to paw
empathy shared
respect is born

imagination
lights the children’s eyes
wonder emerges

our hope for the future
grows with understanding
strengthened with compassion

Polar Bear 20110401_14

Polar Bear 20110401_14, originally uploaded by otterblossom.

Playful polar bear at the Toledo Zoo. He carried the ball up to the top of the waterfall and then threw it down. He went splashing down after it and leaped into the pool to catch it again. I must have spent an hour watching him. Many more photos of him at the flickr site.

NaPoWriMo #15

Today’s abhanga is brought to you by the letter F.

fetching Fauna’s favor
fosters fertility
frees from fragility
foals filling fields

Foaling season at the farm begins the first of May.
This photo is from last year’s foaling season: