tiger spat

If I was lucky to have seen the Koala awake, this was even more fortunate: more by accident than skill I captured a short disagreement between the tigers. A wild stare, flying dust, paws in mid air. I'm not a tiger expert. It might have been their equivalent of a disgruntled noise when passing each other in the hallway. But the fearsome size and muscle power of these apex predators makes for a striking, intense, emotional picture. So much so, that I easily overlook how much I accidentally cut out (the ground and the paws on the ground for example).

Again, as with the parrot earlier during the trip, technical shortcomings are overcome by the strength of the subject. My favorite picture of the trip.

The zoo in Madrid also has a pool with some dolphins. Especially dolphins and whales seem, from what I read, like a uniquely bad fit for living in a zoo. Despite my qualms, I decided to see their performance. The picture shows a swimming caretaker directing and the dolphin about to make a jump in the knowledge that a fishy treat would await it in return. Aren't we who work for a salary in a very similar position? Food for thought. And the dolphins.

To my surprise at the time, there were some peacocks in the zoo that just roamed free. I was used to a very strict separation: all the animals are in enclosures and visitors on the paths. I later learned that it's actually pretty common to have peacocks roam around the grounds of various places, not only zoos.

I perceived the natural elegance and the peacock's well known willingness to show off as an invitation to take a photo. Their long, impractical feathers dragging on the ground, currently not in use for a display, made me associate a behind the scenes photo at a fashion show. The evening shadows gave a soft, golden illumination, letting me take this portrait home as the conclusion of the day.

This is also the closing post about a very busy April 2024. The next posts will probably revisit stars and clouds.