A Trip to the Wild Animal Sanctuary

Tracks #1. The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Colorado, 2012

A couple of days ago I spent a few hours with my father at The Wild Animal Sanctuary about 50 miles east of Boulder out on the Colorado plains. Naturally, I thought I might capture some great images of wildlife as this wonderful place is a haven for a large number of rescued lions, tigers and bears (oh my!), including GRIZZ. To tour the facility, one treads a catwalk some 30 feet above the animals and their large, open pastures, so the chances of capturing images of some big beasts from unusual angles is pretty good.

Ah, the best laid plans…I did manage a few images of the animals, but I found my eye wandering to all the different patterns on the ground from the extensive construction activity at the preserve throughout the summer. Thus the image I have posted above, which is just one in a series which I call “Tracks.”

So, the lesson here is don’t focus so intently on what you think you will be shooting that you don’t allow your eye to be free to wander to other subjects. Relax and observe. You never know what surprises you might find.