How is the D.C. zoo?? Other sites to see/photograph?

PaulS95190 · Apr 23, 2003

I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

GSP2 · Apr 24, 2003

Obv the Smithsonian, and BTW the zoo is excellent and worth your while.
Be prepared to do a lot of walking

PaulS said:
I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

Brent DeShazer · Apr 24, 2003

Hey Paul, how wierd is this!? I'll be in DC for work from the 11th through the 20th. Maybe we could hook up there for a bit?

I've been to the D.C. zoo several times, it is certainly worth going, but like another poster said, prepare to walk as it's huge. Won't want to be toting that 600mmf4 around without a cart

Be careful of night photography, alot of the police are really edgy about tripods. Can't get near the White House with one...I got some good shots of the capital and several other monuments, though.

Brent

PaulS said:
I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

--
Equipment - Who cares? Get the shot!
http://www.zooreviews.org

Joo · Apr 24, 2003

Brent brings up a good issue about night time photography of the monuments in DC. I started the DC Photogs yahoo group ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcphotogs/ ). We went on a night time shoot last year and at some of the monuments (Vietnam memorial) we were told we couldn't use the tripods without prior written permission from the national park service.

There are lots of places to shoot in DC depending on what type of photography you want to do. The Zoo is a good place as mentioned. You'll want a reasonably long lens though for the Zoo. The 100-400L + 10D is a good combination for the zoo. Generally, you'll want to go early in the morning when its cool and the animals are more active.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Iwo Jima Memorial are good. The Tidal Basin near the Monument is nice. Dupont Circle has some interesting architecture and Adams Morgan is good for nightlife. I've gotten some nice photos in Georgetown also. The National Arboretum is good too. Outside of DC, there is Great Falls, Mount Vernon, George Washington Masonic Memorial, GW Parkway is scenic along the Potomac River. The waterfront in Georgetown is good too.

We haven't officially planned our May outing for the DC Photogs. But we were considering going to the National Zoo since that was our first outing almost a year ago. When will you be in DC? We can try to arrange the outing to coincide with your visit.

Joo

Brent DeShazer said:
I've been to the D.C. zoo several times, it is certainly worth
going, but like another poster said, prepare to walk as it's huge.
Won't want to be toting that 600mmf4 around without a cart

Be careful of night photography, alot of the police are really edgy
about tripods. Can't get near the White House with one...I got some
good shots of the capital and several other monuments, though.

Brent

PaulS said:

I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

Click to expand...

--
Equipment - Who cares? Get the shot!
http://www.zooreviews.org

--

Maybe one day I'll take a decent picture. In the meantime, I'll blame the equipment.
http://www.pbase.com/jchung/portfolio

RLJSlick · Apr 24, 2003

The National Zoo is a great place to go, but it's not as large as these guys making it sound. It's nice size zoo, but not large by no means. Very hilly though, and great place to be this time of year, before the heat comes.

I was there in 2000 before 911.

Ricky

PaulS said:
I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

--
Ricky L. Jones
Canon Elan II, EOS 3, G1, EOS IX

David Boston · Apr 24, 2003

Paul,

I was there 7/25-26 of last year. Got up early so that I could be there 1st thing, thinking animals would be more active, but in a lot of cases, they weren't even out! I think it would be good to contact someone knowledgeable at the zoo to determine when would be the best time to show up during your visit.

It's a nice zoo, not as big as it may sound from some of the other comments. Easy to walk, unless you're terribly out of shape. No fee to get in, you just walk in. Some really good exhibits, some so-so, just like any other zoo.

Some of the pictures I took during my visit can be viewed at:
http://www.netrealm.org/public/nationalzoo/index.htm

All done w/D60 and Canon 28-200 zoom.

Have a good time.

DWB

KD · Apr 24, 2003

Iwo Jima Memorial is a nice place for some photo, especially during night or sunset. You can see Lincoln, Washington, and the Capitol all in one line...plus the memorial itself. The memorial is in Rosslyn, near RT110.

--KD

Joo said:
There are lots of places to shoot in DC depending on what type of
photography you want to do. The Zoo is a good place as mentioned.
You'll want a reasonably long lens though for the Zoo. The 100-400L
+ 10D is a good combination for the zoo. Generally, you'll want to
go early in the morning when its cool and the animals are more
active.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Iwo Jima Memorial are good. The
Tidal Basin near the Monument is nice. Dupont Circle has some
interesting architecture and Adams Morgan is good for nightlife.
I've gotten some nice photos in Georgetown also. The National
Arboretum is good too. Outside of DC, there is Great Falls, Mount
Vernon, George Washington Masonic Memorial, GW Parkway is scenic
along the Potomac River. The waterfront in Georgetown is good too.

We haven't officially planned our May outing for the DC Photogs.
But we were considering going to the National Zoo since that was
our first outing almost a year ago. When will you be in DC? We can
try to arrange the outing to coincide with your visit.

Joo

Brent DeShazer said:

I've been to the D.C. zoo several times, it is certainly worth
going, but like another poster said, prepare to walk as it's huge.
Won't want to be toting that 600mmf4 around without a cart

Be careful of night photography, alot of the police are really edgy
about tripods. Can't get near the White House with one...I got some
good shots of the capital and several other monuments, though.

Brent

PaulS said:

I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

Click to expand...

--
Equipment - Who cares? Get the shot!
http://www.zooreviews.org

Click to expand...

--

Maybe one day I'll take a decent picture. In the meantime, I'll

blame the equipment.

http://www.pbase.com/jchung/portfolio

PaulS95190 · Apr 24, 2003

I'll be there with wife and kids (4 & 8months). My wife is planning it and we are staying with friends of hers. She mentioned something about a "capital run" on Saturday for my son to participate in where the kids get to race around the capital building? I would think that would have been cancelled with the heightened security...

Joo said:
There are lots of places to shoot in DC depending on what type of
photography you want to do. The Zoo is a good place as mentioned.
You'll want a reasonably long lens though for the Zoo. The 100-400L
+ 10D is a good combination for the zoo. Generally, you'll want to
go early in the morning when its cool and the animals are more
active.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Iwo Jima Memorial are good. The
Tidal Basin near the Monument is nice. Dupont Circle has some
interesting architecture and Adams Morgan is good for nightlife.
I've gotten some nice photos in Georgetown also. The National
Arboretum is good too. Outside of DC, there is Great Falls, Mount
Vernon, George Washington Masonic Memorial, GW Parkway is scenic
along the Potomac River. The waterfront in Georgetown is good too.

We haven't officially planned our May outing for the DC Photogs.
But we were considering going to the National Zoo since that was
our first outing almost a year ago. When will you be in DC? We can
try to arrange the outing to coincide with your visit.

Joo

Brent DeShazer said:

I've been to the D.C. zoo several times, it is certainly worth
going, but like another poster said, prepare to walk as it's huge.
Won't want to be toting that 600mmf4 around without a cart

Be careful of night photography, alot of the police are really edgy
about tripods. Can't get near the White House with one...I got some
good shots of the capital and several other monuments, though.

Brent

PaulS said:

I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

Click to expand...

--
Equipment - Who cares? Get the shot!
http://www.zooreviews.org

Click to expand...

--

Maybe one day I'll take a decent picture. In the meantime, I'll

blame the equipment.

http://www.pbase.com/jchung/portfolio

zidar · Apr 24, 2003

Because it is run by the Federal Government things can get pretty inefficient. It is common for dangerous animals to get loose and devour visitors. As long as you aren't the one being eaten it makes for great photos.

Zidar
Alaska
--
It's not about stuff.
http://www.pbase.com/zidar

Brian Kennedy · Apr 24, 2003

PaulS said:
I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

The Zoo is a worthwhile visit. Here are some shots from the National Zoo:

http://www.briankennedy.net/89_wild.html
http://www.briankennedy.net/85_wild.html
http://www.briankennedy.net/02_wild.html

(All of these birds are wild, part of the BCNH colony that visits in April - they will still be there in May)

http://www.briankennedy.net/75_wild.html
http://www.briankennedy.net/76_wild.html

(Prairie Dog enclosure is a great place to try out your handhold-able long lenses, like a 100-400, 300/4, or 400/5.6)

http://www.briankennedy.net/86_wild.html
http://www.briankennedy.net/70_wild.html
(Pandas are not to be missed)

http://www.briankennedy.net/73_wild.html
http://www.briankennedy.net/74_wild.html
(The captive Inca Terns)

For general shots of DC, the monuments, and some ideas on locations, try here. Click on the shots to read about the location:
http://www.briankennedy.net/dc.html

Have fun!

--
Brian Kennedy
http://www.briankennedy.net/

Karl Weckstrom · Apr 24, 2003

Eh, it's "ok". It's cheap at least (you just pay around $7 for parking, no admission fee).

Bronx Zoo is far better.

I have a few pics from the DC Zoo here: http://www.weckstrom.com/dczoo

PaulS said:
I may be in D.C. the middle of May for three full days and was
wondering if I should stop by the zoo or skip it? I plan to take
pictures of the monuments - particularly at night. Any
recommendations on sites to see/photograph on a short trip?

Thanks...

--
-Karl
http://www.photogathering.com
http://www.karlsphotos.com

JCHIE · Apr 24, 2003

http://www.netrealm.org/public/nationalzoo/img_1696.htm

When I was there around 95, I saw tiger peeing on the wall (somehow to mark territory

I wish I had a digital camera back then...

David Boston said:
Paul,

I was there 7/25-26 of last year. Got up early so that I could be
there 1st thing, thinking animals would be more active, but in a
lot of cases, they weren't even out! I think it would be good to
contact someone knowledgeable at the zoo to determine when would be
the best time to show up during your visit.

It's a nice zoo, not as big as it may sound from some of the other
comments. Easy to walk, unless you're terribly out of shape. No
fee to get in, you just walk in. Some really good exhibits, some
so-so, just like any other zoo.

Some of the pictures I took during my visit can be viewed at:
http://www.netrealm.org/public/nationalzoo/index.htm

All done w/D60 and Canon 28-200 zoom.

Have a good time.

DWB

JCHIE · Apr 24, 2003

WOW, very good photo!!

They remind me of my years spent in D.C. Metropolitan ...

Brian Kennedy said:
For general shots of DC, the monuments, and some ideas on
locations, try here. Click on the shots to read about the location:
http://www.briankennedy.net/dc.html

Have fun!

--
Brian Kennedy
http://www.briankennedy.net/

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How is the D.C. zoo?? Other sites to see/photograph?

PaulS95190

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GSP2

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Brent DeShazer

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Joo

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RLJSlick

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David Boston

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KD

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PaulS95190

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zidar

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Brian Kennedy

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Karl Weckstrom

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