Today I made the two hour car ride from San Jose to Santa Rosa to visit Safari West with a Meetup Group. We saw many animals in all states of rest and activity. Some were quite docile during our visit, like the cheetah above, and some saw our jeep full of photographers as a threat. This ostrich in particular seemed to want to get the closest look possible at our group.
Crazy Ostrich Attacks Our Jeep at Safari West! from Danielle Stolman on Vimeo.
After coming in close to look at our group the ostrich refused to move despite our best efforts to make noise including playing music to startle it (NIN’s The Perfect Drug), and our guide, Adrian, waving a stick in its general direction. Finally, we had to choose another way to get around the preserve.
Although I tried to keep the enclosures out of most of my photos, the rhino slipping her horn through the gate was just too cute for words.
Since our tour began at 4 p.m. we anticipated some of the animals might be less lively. Though this vulture was of the more tired variety, the texture of his feathers and his expression made this one of my favorite shots of the day.
Adrian, who was also previously the official Safari West Photographer, had asked our group if we just wanted to be shown the animals or to learn about them. Since we enthusiastically asked for facts we learned about species like this little fellow, the White Faced Whistling Duck. This adorable fellow never quacks, and yes we did get to hear his cute little whistle.
Our jeep was able to get very close up to the giraffes so that we could truly see how rough they were texturally.
One of my favorite animals, the zebra.
Our group rotated taking seats at the top of the Jeep. The ride up top was bumpy, yet breathtaking. I made sure to get a photo during the time I was at the top (my hair really windblown during out three hour tour).
Our group thoroughly enjoyed the tour, and we highly recommend it for photographers and animal lovers alike.
by Danielle Stolman
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