Connie and Shabe

News Update, March 12, 2012

Tucson Elephants Moved Together To San Diego Zoo  

"Your tens of thousands of emails protesting the planned separation of lifelong companions Connie and Shaba finally convinced the city of Tucson, Arizona, to keep the elephants together. Last week the pair was moved to the San Diego Zoo, though IDA is concerned the zoo might separate them later. Connie and Shaba have a 30-year history of caring for one another, and that relationship should not be destroyed to suit the interests of zoos. IDA will continue to closely monitor their situation to ensure the San Diego Zoo does the right thing and keeps Connie and Shaba together forever."

Thank you to all of you who have written and spoke out in support of the 2 elephants.  I hope the San Diego Zoo will care for them in a compassionate manner and keep them together for life.


Til next Time,
Meggi 
____________________________________________________________________
January 2012
News from In Defense of Animals:

Update On Elephants Connie And Shaba At Reid Park Zoo

After Tucson, Arizona city officials and the Reid Park Zoo were deluged with tens of thousands of emails protesting the planned separation of long-time companions Connie and Shaba, and legendary animal activist Bob Barker offered to donate $500,000 toward the construction of a facility at the PAWS Sanctuary where their bond would be preserved for life (the amount would cover half the cost), the city announced that the two elephants would stay together after all. However, the pair will be sent to the San Diego Zoo where, unfortunately, their future together is far from guaranteed.

IDA obtained a Tucson city memo stating that the San Diego Zoo believes each elephant – Connie is an Asian and Shaba an African – will gravitate toward members of their own species at the zoo, which currently holds Asian elephants and one African named Tembo. The memo further states:

“Experts will continue to evaluate individual animal behavior and relationships, as well as the needs of the entire Species Survival Plan, as future placement decisions are made for Shaba and Tembo together.”

This strongly suggests that the zoo is already thinking about moving the two African elephants to another facility. Reid Park Zoo chief Susan Basford had previously informed the media that the San Diego Zoo intended to move Tembo to another zoo.

Connie and Shaba have been together since 1982 when Connie was 15 and Shaba was just 2, and they have been deeply bonded ever since. Please take action today to help save their lifelong bond.

Send a personal message to Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild at mayor1@tucsonaz.gov. Tell him that you appreciate his efforts to keep Connie and Shaba together, and express your concern that they could still be separated after being sent to the San Diego Zoo. Urge him to do everything in his power to guarantee that they remain together for the rest of their lives. Please follow up your message with a phone call to the mayor at 520-791-4201. Please be brief and polite when calling.

PAWS

PAWS saddened by loss of gentle giant Sabu,

our oldest Asian bull elephant

Today, I am sad to learn about the loss of one of PAWS elephants.

However, after years of performing he at least could enjoy the freedom to roam at PAWS in the Sierra Foothills, free to enjoy the company of his half-brother Nicholas and the other PAWS elephants during his last years.

As you know, I have been planning a great photo opportunity in March 2-4, 2012 to visit the elephants at PAWS and it is not too late to sign up for a full day at PAWS "Seeing the Elephants" [click link for details].  Besides this being a great opportunity to experience the remaining 8 elephants roaming freely in the Sierra Foothills, it is also a fundraiser for PAWS, an organization that I fully support.

Please give me a call at 650-326-4570 or email at mraeder33@gmail.com to get more information or sign up.
[Registration deadline January 25, 2012]

 PAWS PRESS RELEASE 

January 13, 2012

PAWS saddened by loss of gentle giant Sabu,

our oldest Asian bull elephant

In Memoriam

Sabu: 11/1/82 to 1/11/12

San Andreas, CA - On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, Sabu, PAWS' 29-year-old Asian bull elephant, succumbed to the effects of severe arthritis in multiple joints. We will miss this gentle giant.

Born November 1, 1982, at Portland Zoo, Sabu was transferred to a circus in 1984, and then retired to PAWS' ARK 2000 Sanctuary in September 2010. Here Sabu joined Nicholas, PAWS' youngest bull elephant, also retired from a circus, and half brother to Sabu.

The two bulls were fathered by Tunga, an Asian bull at Portland Zoo. Tunga was transferred to a circus facility after Sabu was born, and later sired Nicholas at that facility. Both Nicholas and Sabu performed in circuses when they were two years old. Nicholas was retired to PAWS when he was 13 years old, the first bull elephant at the ARK 2000 Sanctuary. Sabu, PAWS' second bull, arrived when Nicholas was 17. The two boys were close enough to see and communicate.

"It almost appeared that they knew they were related," Pat Derby, one of PAWS founders, commented. "It was obvious that they were communicating, although humans never hear the low frequency sounds that elephants use to gather information."

PAWS has keepers on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, PAWS directors who live on the property, were immediately alerted by the night keeper who was with Sabu when his giant body collapsed in his large dirt sleeping stall at approximately 3:30 on the morning of January 11. PAWS' veterinarian, Dr. Gai, and elephant supervisor Brian Busta, arrived shortly after Pat and Ed, and all agreed that efforts to lift him to a standing posture would be stressful, and his condition indicated that he would be unable to remain standing.

Sabu was beloved by all who worked with him. He was described by Brian Busta, as a "big, beautiful boy who was gentle, very intelligent and a best friend."

A team of pathologists from the University of California Davis conducted Sabu's necropsy and preliminary results were reported as "severe arthritis in multiple joints."

Dr. Gai stated, "The degree of severity is what I would expect to see in a 50+ year old captive Asian. I think we were all surprised to see arthritis like this in someone so relatively young."

Tuy Hoa, Sabu's maternal grandmother at Portland Zoo, was reported to have died "very young from crippling arthritis."

Nancy Burnet, Director of Bob Barker's DJ&T Foundation which funded Sabu's barn, pool and habitat, wrote to Sabu's keepers, "The bigger tragedy would have been if he'd never made it to PAWS - you were Sabu's angels. . . Your constant love and kindness created a wonderful bond. . . How wonderful it worked out so that he spent his last year at PAWS, luxuriating in the relief his pond provided, and moving about freely."

# # # #

  

The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a nonprofit, captive wildlife protection

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.

Travel TidBits: California Coast

It’s January 1 and the promise of a new year lies ahead like an open book with blank pages that needs to be filled with new adventures.

For now, I am spending another day along the California coast driving south on Highway 1 and stopping at Moss Landing to search for otters and finding all kind of beach activities on this beautiful crisp winter day.

Although most of the otters are floating further out, one is napping close by.  And patience is rewarded as he opens his eyes and is looking right at me.

On the beach, the early morning wind and waves attracted the surfers who are enjoying the brisk wave action leaving fleeting footprints in the sand.

Out of the water, these guys are enjoying a good barbecue.

The midday sun is warm and inviting, and it appears that everybody in Pacific Grove is at the water front strolling, talking, walking the dog or just enjoying the first day of the year outside.  Even the birds and bees!

And onwards, as my goal was to see McWay Falls in Pfeiffer State Park further south along the Highway 1.  I had driven this part just last week, but today it seemed to be crowded everywhere I turned.  People were stopping at each Vista Point, and hiking in the hills above the ocean.  

The sun was setting as I shouldered my tripod and camera to catch the setting sun over the little cove where McWay Falls empties right onto the beach below.  

It’s a gorgeous spot and a beautiful sight!!  Turning around, the coast seemed to be glowing in the red setting sun.

Into sunset and beyond, the light kept changing and as darkness fell, I headed north again on my way home.

Winter is the best time to experience the coast without the fog - so go out and enjoy what California has to offer.

Til next time, 

Meggi

¶To explore the coast further south and see the elephant seal rookery, check out the Photo Workshop in San Simeon on January 21/22, 2012.  Spaces still available.

Field Trip: 15 January 2012

By Invitation only!    January 15, 2012

Otters, Birds, Bees, Sea Lions – …oh my

Field Trip along the CA Coast

December 2011 Hummingbirds

Winter along the California coast is clear and beautiful.

Judy and I are offering a field trip along the coast to capture some exciting wildlife:  in search for otters, birds, hummingbirds, monarch butterflies (maybe), bees and sea lions, and whatever the coast has to offer.  We will also practice fast action photography by watching and photographing the wind surfers - if there is wind and waves.  For those of you who have photographed hummingbirds with us in our workshops, this is a perfect opportunity to use the wildlife skills in the field.  This is a day trip with diverse photo opportunities.

This is a field trip and a lot of what we see will depend on the weather conditions - and remember the 'wild' in wildlife which does not guarantee sightings!

We will gather in Moss Landing at 10am across from “The Whole Enchilada” Mexican Restaurant at the harbor to watch the otters and grebes, go to the other side of Elkhorn Slough to see the sea lions.  Then we proceed to Pacific Grove for a special place along the water where the hummingbirds drink nectar from a coastal plant.

Pacific Grove also has a Monarch Sanctuary.  We will stop by there in the warm early afternoon hours when the butterflies are active.

By 4pm, we will head home.

Specifics:

Date:  Sunday, January 15, 2012; 10am – 4pm

Meeting Location:  Moss Landing, Harbor (across from “The Whole Enchilada” Mexican Restaurant); car pooling is recommended, we will help find partners.

What to bring:

1. DSLR camera with wide to tele lenses (~300mm recommended, handhold); tripod, lots of memory cards and battery power.  If you have a macro lens, please add it to your pack.
2. Camera Manual,
3. sack lunch and water, snacks
4. Layered clothing since the coast can be cold in the morning and balm as the day progresses,
5. … and patience and willingness to explore, and a sense of adventure.  It will be a fun day with a small group of photographers.  Remember, wildlife is unpredictable!

Included:

Tricks and tips for wildlife photography, help with your camera gear, review of histogram and its information to create accurate exposure; help with using aperture or shutter priority, automatic or manual settings, one-on-one help with equipment and photography techniques.

Not included:

Meals and transportation

Cost:  80.-

(payable by check – pl mail to M. Raeder, 2812 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94306)

Please call 650-326-4570 or email mraeder33@gmail.com to be part of the fun!

Also, since the weather is unpredictable in January, please call a day ahead.  Rain will cancel the field trip with full refund.

Blazing Skies

How can Christmas be celebrated more than being out in nature along the fabulous California Coast!

Winter on the coast is a great time with clear skies and crisp air.  After meandering south to Big Sur stopping for otters and hummingbirds and monarch butterflies along the way, my friend Judy with her dog Anna and I made our last stop at Big Sur Beach. 

The coastline with massive rocks in the water offers an arch and in the wintertime, sunlight filters through just when the sun sets over the ocean.  So we set up our tripods with Anna faithfully at Judy’s feet and waited.

Photography has taught me patience and today, we were richly rewarded!

Til next time, go out and enjoy nature!

Meggi

New:  Join me for the next great photo opportunity 
to "Seeing the Elephants" in March 2-4, 2012!  (a few spaces still available!)

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.

Happy Holidays

As this year nears its end, I want to thank you for staying with me, for your friendship, for encouraging me to share my stories and my images, for cheering me on and for enjoying with me the natural beauty all around near and far.   

I look forward to a new year full of discovery and learning, to more travel adventures as I follow my passion.  I hope you will join me along the way for some of the photo adventures.

To a Great New Year 2012!

Meggi

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…

not going all the way, and not starting. 

Buddha 

Incredible Rescue

December 10, 2011

Some fishing stories are a little hard to believe, but this guy has pictures to prove his story... Tom Satre told the Sitka Gazette that he was out with a charter group on his 62-foot fishing vessel when four juvenile black-tailed deer swam directly toward his boat. "Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at us. We could tell right away that the young bucks were distressed. I opened up my back gate and we helped the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals onto the boat. In all my years fishing, I've never seen anything quite like it! 

“Once on-board, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering. We headed for Taku Harbor. Once we reached the dock, the first buck that we had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back as if to say 'thank you' and disappeared into the forest.” After a bit of prodding and assistance, two more followed, but the smallest deer needed a little more help (that’s him in the wheelbarrow). My daughter, Anna, and son, Tim, helped the last buck to its feet. We didn't know how long they had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive. 

My daughter later told me that the experience was something that she would never forget, and I suspect the deer felt the same way as well!"

By: Second ChanceRanch (Elma, WA)

You can read about it in the Alaska Quest Charter Newsletter [http://alaskaquestcharters.com/deerrescue.html}

Lunar Eclipse

10 Dec 2011: Lunar Eclipse  -  observed in the high country of Yosemite National Park

On a frosty morning, my friend Lynda and I left the warm room at the Yosemite Lodge at 3am to drive to the high country to observe the lunar eclipse.  The web had provided us with a ton of useful materials, specifically the nasa.gov.org science site and so we knew that the eclipse would start shortly after 4am and the moon would totally be in Earth shadow around 6am just before setting behind the horizon.  We had scouted a place along highway 41 where we were not surrounded by mountains.  We planned to use the Interval Timer Shooting for a series of images and had studied up on it last evening - I'll describe this in another blog.  It is a great way to photograph a series of images in fixed time intervals.  When we arrived at our location, the full moon illuminated the landscape and we set up our tripods and cameras to capture the event starting at 4am until the moon set behind the horizon at 6:30a.  We took a bracketed image every 10 minutes (which proved to be a too long an interval) and used a wide angle lens to capture the whole path of the moon.  I also took images with a tele lens (300mm) and the above image was taken when the moon was 2/3 eclipsed and in the shadow of Earth.

I will talk more about the techniques and will have more images on a future blog.  I hope some of you had a chance to go out and observed a very special moon event.  For me it was the first time that I saw the moon eclipse and it was great to see the whole event -- even though by the end my hands and feet were quite frozen but my many layers of down had otherwise kept me warm.  The nights here are below freezing and the wind was blowing over the high country of the Sierra.

As today is full moon, go out and enjoy the moon tonight.

Til next time, 

Meggi

New:  Join me for the next great photo opportunity 
to "See the Elephants" in March 2-4, 2012!

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.

Travel TidBits: Desert Sunrise

Sunrise over the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India

After experiencing the sunset in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India, we decided to go back the next morning for an early sunrise.  We were staying at a tented camp in Osian on the Western end of Rajasthan, a very rural area with small villages dotted along the road.  This area is close to the Pakistani border.  Although this is a desert that heavily depends on the monsoon rains once a year, it is also known as a ‘green desert’ due to the abundance of farmland and animal husbandry.  If not cultivated the desert supports typical low shrubs and acacia trees favored by the camels as it is favored by giraffes in Africa.  Between the desert landscape and cultivated fields are sand dunes raising up 100-150 feet from the flats.  

We had ridden up to such a sand dune on our camels the evening before and then marveled at the view towards wide horizon all around.

The next morning by 5:30am, we were up and getting ready to jump into the 4-wheel jeep to meet the sunrise on one of the sand dunes.  Our driver, a young Rajasthani, took us half-way up and then it was on us to climb the remainder in the darkness.

We each selected a favorite spot and with my camera on the tripod, I waited for the sun to crest over the far horizon.

It is amazing to see how the camels purse their lips to just take the leaves without poking themselves on the heavy and pointed thorns!  The Acacia leaves must taste very good since the camel drivers always tried to lead the animals far from these trees lest they were ready to stop and see them munching away.

As the sun rose and the light came up, the red soil of the desert dotted with the yellow desert blooms offered another beautiful view towards the West.

Now ready for breakfast, we joint our driver and jeep at the bottom of the sand dune for the ride back to camp.  Later we would come back a village not far from the sand dunes for a great opportunity to observe the village life – but that is another story for next time.

Til then,

Meggi

New:  Join me for the next great photo opportunity 
to "See the Elephants" in March 2-4, 2012!

To see all workshops and photo travel opportunities 

offered by M. Raeder - Photography, please click here.