Chester Zoo Chester Zoo: What is Where?

Javan Green Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, azure-winged Magpie, derbyan Parakeet and Lady Amhurst Pheasant are in the elpehant house aviaries.
 
Not forgetting the pheasant species at the bottom of the Hornbill aviary. I never really check them since there's next to no chance of seeing them but im fairly certain it's the Malayan Crestless Fireback Pheasant.
 
Javan Rhino said:
Does anybody have a suggested route for photography, timing enclosures with when outdoor lighting is good and when animals are out/active? I usually head straight for the Rhinos, but want to go to Realm of the Red Ape first this time as I've heard this is best time, however it leaves little room for a planned route.
Click to expand...

For lighting, most enclosures are not too critical. The bushdogs are better after noon, and the African aviary best quite late (I usually leave it to the end of my visit). I find that the tuataras usually only show themselves in the afternoon - and they are definitely not to be missed.
I recommend going straight to RotRA at 10 am, then aquarium (also best early before many people arrive), giant otters, tigers, lions, over the bridge, cheetahs, warty pigs and so on, eventually doubling back to Islands in Danger, okapi, tropical etc - but there's no right answer. Decide on your priorities and then fit in as much else as you can - you won't be able to shoot, or to see, everything.

Alan
 
Ahh cool, thanks for the tips :). My priorities this time are orangs and elephants, whilst retaining the usual must sees like Jaguars and Rhinos :)
 
Lion Tamarins now offshow. A keeper told me the Mountain Chciken Frogs are in Islands in Danger living with the iguanas.
 
ZooMania said:
Not forgetting the pheasant species at the bottom of the Hornbill aviary. I never really check them since there's next to no chance of seeing them but im fairly certain it's the Malayan Crestless Fireback Pheasant.
Click to expand...

Zoomania the whole point of my list of birds in the Elephant House was to tell JavanRhino about the pheasant in with the hornbills. Then I go and forget. Didn't even spell elephant right, either.
 
Sorry to bring up an old topic, but achieved three of the challenges SMR managed to set. They are not really good quality, but nobody said they had to be :D.

1) Sand Lizard: I saw two sand lizards today. One was in a very awkward place to photograph, but then I saw another basking right at the front on the 'window-ledge.'

2) Four coatis: (Though at the zoo today I thought it was three, I got four anyway). They were at the right-hand side of the enclosure (nearest the ostrich/sitatunga).

3) Both bears: I had to use my basic lens for this one since the two were too far apart with my zoom lens (even at its lowest). Hard to spot on the photo, but they are both there.

I looked out for the others but no sign of any of them :(. Will have to have a look out on Sunday when I come again.
 
If you go over to the gallery, you will see that I have now completed the Tragopan and the Dik-Dik picture challenges set by SMR. Just the Duiker left, I believe. Hopefully will see it soon!
 
I'm liking this challenge stuff. I usually go for the 'feature' animals but I'm going on saturday, I'll have my camcorder and girlfriend will be be photographing, so please tell me what are the top 5 most elusive creatures in chester zoo (and where they are) so we can have a go at catching them?
 
ZooChap said:
I'm liking this challenge stuff. I usually go for the 'feature' animals but I'm going on saturday, I'll have my camcorder and girlfriend will be be photographing, so please tell me what are the top 5 most elusive creatures in chester zoo (and where they are) so we can have a go at catching them?
Click to expand...

Hmm, thoughie. Some animals are not so much elusive, but sometimes (particularly primates) hardly ever go into their outdoor enclosures. I would list thus for ACTUALLY elusive. (Also, I'm assuming that you know the zoo well)

1) Natal Red Duiker - This is the one I havn't seen myself, so can't give any tips really. There is only the one (female) and she stays indide alot. She is in Secret World of the Okapi, but has a little off-show den. Look out for a small pile of branches on the floor and just keep visiting to see if these look like they've been nipped at. (She also has the okapi paddocks, don't know if they are mixed or rotated).

2) Cabot's Tragopan - This male bird lives in one of the Asian Avaries near the Giant Otter and Sunken Garden (behind the Ark Playground). He spends alot of time at the back, but according to keepers is becomming a little easier to spot as time goes on. He came to the front last time I was there.

3) Sand Lizards - These are around the back of the Tropical Realm (near the door into the Capuchin inside bit). They have an extremely well-planted and naturalistic enclosure, and are usually very well hidden in the sand and tall grasses. Check out the shelves that line the glass viewing, I have sometimes seen them basking here.

4) Midwife Toad - In a small hut-like vivarium near the sand lizards. There is often heavy condensation on the window and the lighting makes it difficult to spot anything.

5) Coati - These share an enclosure with the Spectacled Bear. They sometimes use the trees at the front of the enclosure (near the ostrich/sitatunga paddock). However, they can sometimes be at the very back and they become near impossible to see.
 
Thanks very much, I will see what I can do.

Out of curiosity, which primates are you referring to? We've been pretty lucky with outdoor shots of most of the primates recently but, that said, I have never manged to capture the orangutans in the open viewing area (opposite the aquarium). It's also an aim of mine to get the big male mandrill near the waters edge. He always seems to sit in the middle whilst the others come up close.
 
I am usually lucky with Chimpanzees and Buffy-headed Capuchins being outside (though the capuchins more-so in summer). I usually have trouble seeing the orang-utans outside (the enclosure with the waterfall) and often miss most of the monkeys on the Monkey Islands outdoor parts (I find it more common to see the Lion-tailed Macaques). I agree that the Mandrill is difficult, I've been trying to snap him for ages but he has always been indoors and at the back. Last time he was at the back and near partially hidden by trees in parts, but I took the chance and snapped :). I'll attach a couple of my primate pics :)
 
Javan Rhino - Love the Orangutan pic.

Well, today we captured the sand lizards, all coati, tragopan, got great views of the Mandrills outside, both bears together. Didn't see the Midwife Toad (but there were a lot of tadpoles). However, the challenge turned trivial when hearing the sad news about the Duiker.

To change the subject to something happier, today is actually the first time I've done the Jaguar talk and feed and if anyone hasn't seen the the Jaguars swimming - I highly recommend it!
 
ZooChap said:
Javan Rhino - Love the Orangutan pic.

Well, today we captured the sand lizards, all coati, tragopan, got great views of the Mandrills outside, both bears together. Didn't see the Midwife Toad (but there were a lot of tadpoles). However, the challenge turned trivial when hearing the sad news about the Duiker.

To change the subject to something happier, today is actually the first time I've done the Jaguar talk and feed and if anyone hasn't seen the the Jaguars swimming - I highly recommend it!
Click to expand...

Very sad news about the Duiker indeed. I usually see the Jaguar talk, but never managed to see them fed at the same time. I will try and keep an eye out next time I'm there :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top