We woke up to everyone feeling pretty much all better. A few coughs, but I thought fresh air would be just the remedy. I took the little two for an impromptu trip to the zoo. It was overcast and in the 70s. I think the chance of rain made the rest of the city stay away from the zoo. We basically had the entire place to ourselves for a couple of hours.
Photo tip: I took all of these with my Canon 5D, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. On almost all the photos my settings were: ISO 200, 1/320, f/2.8. Since it was an overcast day and the sun was not peeking in and out, I was able to just leave my camera on basically the same settings the whole time. I think sometimes shooting in Manual can be intimidating because some think that you have to change your settings for every single shot. Sometimes you do, but often you don’t. Case in point…this trip to the zoo.
Shameless plug for SnapShops here (next class is April 22- May 13)…but this is one reason I shoot in Manual instead of Auto (and why I like to teach others to do the same). In Auto, my pics always come out darker than I’d like. There are ways to help that in Auto, but none of the ways are as good as just shooting in Manual – in my opinion.
My Manual settings: ISO 200, 1/320, f/2.8………………………Camera’s Auto settings: ISO 400, 1/200, f/7.1
“Hello, duckie”
Do you see that background? No people! It was awesome. I am not a fan of crowds (or even large groups, if I am honest)…so this was a perfect trip to the zoo for me!
Next week the zoo is opening a new Sea Lion exhibit. They were practicing for the show while we were there. There was a small group of people gathered and a sweet mom let my little squeeze in by her kids. It was pretty great. The second pic is how she greets the lions (the furry lions, not the sea ones). I wish she wouldn’t…I have a fear of those things leaping over the fence. Seriously, I have a game plan in my head if I am at the zoo and an animal gets loose. It involves shoving my kids and myself into the air ducts above the women’s restroom. I am sure a ferocious beast could still get us there, but I know I can’t outrun an animal with four kids. I have no idea where that plan came from, but if a lion gets loose at the Tulsa Zoo – you know where to find me and my kids.
And an entire zoo playground all to ourselves.
A short train ride back to the entrance. I really like zoos, except for the times I get pooped on by birds and babies. I count a trip to the zoo successful if I make it out without being pooped on…this was a successful trip.
Shortly after we got home, my 5 year old’s school called. He and I had survived the plague that hit our house over the weekend….well now I am the last Campbell standing. Back to being stuck in the house…
Michelle - Firecracker Firecracker Boom Boom Boom! Precious little munchkin puts a smile on my face EVERY morning! So do the boys. I’m just partial to Firecracker because we have the same cowlicks! 😉
Leila - I love the days when we can be somewhere “alone” — I too hate crowds. It totally drains me.
Thanks for all your tips on taking photos. You are the only one (well, other than my daughter, who is learning from you too 😉 who can get at least a shard of information into my thick head when it comes to settings… I’m learning! But so slowly 🙂
Tonya - I am soooooo cracking up at the image of you hiding in the air ducts at the zoo if an animal escapes…only because I have to same random plans for various situations. Air ducts….good idea!
al - sooooo sweet!!!
Jess - That getaway plan is hilarious…I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks like that!
Abigail C - I want to have a zoo all to myself…. 😉 Looks like ya’ll had a seriously good time! The pictures on the tortoise statue are my favorites!
Ashley - This post cracked me up! I’m so glad you have an escape route… Just in case 🙂 So funny!
Angie K - I absolutely *love* her roaring at the Lion. And, kudos to you for snapping the picture despite your fear 🙂
If you are ever in Washington DC, you HAVE to go to the zoo! It is so fun! However, take this little known tip from a mom who ALSO hates, despises, loathes, crowds. The zoo opens its gates at 6am…even thought the actual animal houses don’t open until 10. If you get there as early as you possibly can (with 5 kids 🙂 you can see the animals awake and anxiously waiting for their food. Every single time we’ve been there, at least 3 of the animal houses are open by 8. By the time the crowd starts showing up at 11/12…you can go home and take a nap 🙂
Oh, and if you are ever in Washington DC….you better let me know! Your 5 (cuz, really, you aren’t going on vacation before you get your baby girl) can go wild on the National Mall with my 3!! And I can give you all the best tips and secrets to get the most out of your trip!!
Jess - I have a hard time with crowds too. This looks like a perfect trip to the zoo!
Molly @ mixedmolly - I don’t care much for going to the zoo, but a trip like that would soften me to the idea. Crowded places are the worst, especially with toddlers and preschool age. Loved the comparison of the auto and manual and the tip about leaving the settings alone. Sometimes it is overwhelming because I think I have to change the aperture and shutter speed all the time.
Carolina - Love the photos! I love the zoo. I need to take my kiddos again soon!
mandi@herbanhomestead - Haha! Funny post! The part about you not getting pooped on = success! Loved it! And two things that reveals how our brains think alike- not liking crowds (or even big groups if we are being honest), and hatching a getaway plan. Yours was genius, by the way.
Mandi - I have told you this before, but your snap shop class is so helpful. I’ll shamelessly plug it for you!!
Tonia - Oh, I wished I loved the zoo! Sadly, I do not. You can read about my zoo adventure here: http://chasingdelight.com/archives/1056 🙂 But, still… love those memories with my kiddos!
Lisa - I laughed so hard at the ducts escape plan b/c I think of crazy things like that all the time too!
elizabeth - don’t you LOVE these mild mild days!? looks like a LOVELY trip to the zoo. glad to hear you home is on the mend!
Emilie G. - The Tulsa Zoo is such a great zoo! If we ever traveled to go to the zoo, that was the one!! 😀 looks like a ball!
Brandi - I literally just laughed out loud, until I cried. Your whole “escape route” from the lions cracked me up. Oh and the lack of poop you encountered at the zoo also made me chuckle. Thanks for the laugh, glad you made it home safe and clean!!! 🙂
Laura Putnam - So glad to know I am not the only momma with crazy “what-if” escape plans in my head! Take care, Laura
Elizabeth - This blog reminded me about the time I did the same thing, impromptu trip to zoo. I took a personal day from work, first time I use them. It was my 2 kids and I at the zoo, in a bigger city. The most rememberable trip to the zoo. Thanks for the blog.
Shannon - cute pictures and thanks for the tip on shooting in manual mode. I really need to conquer this, what a difference! Looks like a great day at the zoo, I’m not a fan of crowds either. Your day looked perfect 🙂
Aja - I love your getaway plan!! That is too funny!
We almost went to the zoo yesterday, too! Glad you guys had fun without all the people. Looks perfect.
Sarah - So glad you got to get out before your next confinement!!!!
Danielle - Great captures… Mr. Turtle rocks!
marci - I like you even more now knowing that you, like me, are not a fan of crowds & large groups. We went to our zoo over the weekend & were not so lucky to avoid the crowd. Hope you are lucky enough to remain the “last Campbell standing!” I do believe that mothers are given an extra blessing that way…:)Great pictures as always!
Charla - What are the chances of the zoo being that empty next week during spring break?!? lol That is a Fun day! 🙂
Kimberly - Ohhh…..this makes me want to go to the zoo so bad! Our local zoo (40mins away) doesn’t open til the end of April. Stinks since we’ve had such NICE weather in NW Ohio this year. How AWESOME you pretty much had the place to yourself!!
Irene - Oh Gosh, Firecracker is soooo funny, she has all different expressions for someone that little. Love all your photos!
Kristi Rediske - I love the pics- love that zoo too- my grandkids favorite part is the playground! I took your class, I can’t remember when, it was the first one- I had a question, you may have answered it already but , do you shoot in raw, like for the zoo pics?
meg duerksen - success!!
i haven’t been to the zoo forever.
maybe i will soon.
maybe.
i always get cranky when the zoo if involved.
kimberlee and i missed you today.
🙂
Ada - today, your the fun mom. That looked like so much fun & so well captured. I am crazy about the one of Firecracker Raarrrring. Bowlegged goodness that girl is into it! Sorry your back in the rounds of sicky but somehow you make it all beautiful with your camera & love.
Adore your blog, and quite frankly-it blesses me every time.
erica - this is hilarious! we are in houston, tx and on spring break. checking the weather forecast all week for sunshine. obviously, along with the rest of the entire city because we all showed up for a zoo trip yesterday. bumper to bumper traffic starting a mile before the zoo entrance. got to the entrance to get re-directed to the museum district for overflow parking, which was also full. reflection pond parking: FULL. needless to say, this girl who also hates crowds, did not take her kiddos to the zoo.
katie - it is seriously ironic (and i find it hilarious) that you don’t like crowds, but you clearly have THOUSANDS of blog readers. 🙂 i was just picturing you reading this post aloud in a room filled with all your readers. haha. aren’t you glad that’s not reality? 🙂
Carolyn - Oh Mr. Turlte! We have lots of pictures of our kids with Mr. Turtle as they grew up too! You just made me want to go pick up my little nieces and take them for a cloudy day trip to the zoo. We have plenty of them right now and the crowds look just about perfect!!
Elizabeth - I am very glad that the bible doesn’t say anything about coveting your neighbor’s camera set up, because that lens is my current object of lust. 2.8! I can only dream!