Melinda, one of our Education Animal Show presenters coaxes Bailey, a serval, to show off his leaping abilities. In the wild, Servals use this skill to catch flying birds on the African plains.

Guest to Nashville Zoo can see Bailey during our “Wildlife Wonders” show which takes place at 3:30 every day except Tuesdays beginning this weekend.

This image was taken by Zoo photographer (www.amieestubbs.com) Amiee Stubbs.

Sareeka, one of our two Bengal Tigers enjoys a dip in her pool. There used to be 9 different tiger species in the world but thee became extinct in the past 70 years. The remaining 6 species (Amur, Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, South China, and Sumatran) are all endangered.

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Amiee Stubbs (www.amieestubbs.com).

Sy is a 6-month old cassowary, from the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida, settles in to his new home along Bamboo Trail. As Sy grows, his feathers will eventually turn black and his head will turn shades of blue. Sy will alternate on exhibit with our other male cassowary (an adult).

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz).

Here’s your Nashville Zoo Picture of the Week. For courtship, red-crowned cranes exhibit a dancing display characterized by head bobbing, bowing, leaps and other gestures. Successful courtship typically results in a monogamous relationship for life. Happy Valentine’s Day!

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz).  Enjoy!

 

Nashville Zoo is offering three classes for amateur photographers of all levels wanting to explore the wild side of photography. Animal Art Photography I will be held Feb. 11, an Unseen New World Photography Workshop will be on Feb. 12 and Animal Art Photography II will be March 17. All classes are led by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka.

Participants in the Animal Art Photography classes will utilize both the classroom and Zoo trail as Sperka shares his technique of photographing animals all over the world. The courses cover every step of taking animal photos, from getting the perfect shot to picture selection and processing. Animal Art Photography II participants will also get a special photo opportunity behind the scenes.

The habitats in the Unseen New World, terrariums and aquariums, provide a completely different set of photographic challenges than outdoor exhibits. The Unseen New World workshop teaches participants the techniques for dealing with the challenges of shooting through glass, artificial lighting and more. Participants will also get the opportunity to photograph several animal feeding sessions.

Class attendees are required to have a digital camera with the ability to adjust aperture, shutter speed, iso speed, and a lens with a 200 mm focal length or more. In order to participate in Animal Art Photography II, participants must have complete knowledge of the Animal Art Photography I class.

Animal Art Photography I is Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The cost is $70 for Zoo members and $95 for non-members. Animal Art Photography II is Saturday, March 17 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The cost is $140 for Zoo members and $190 for non-members. The Unseen New World workshop is Sunday, Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The cost is $85 for Zoo members and $110 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.  For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.