Admission: $15.00 per person. Parking is $14.00 per vehicle. The Dallas Zoo Web site indicates they prefer you pay for your ticket(s) and parking in advance on the Web site. Once you pay on the Web site, they send you an email receipt with QR codes that they scan from your cell phone’s email for your parking and entrance fees. They offer some supplemental tickets that allow you to ride the amusement park rides and see special exhibits, but you don’t need any of that to see and photograph the animals.

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WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

The Dallas Zoo’s mission states that, “By providing our guests with real-world opportunities to make memorable connections with wildlife and supplementing their experience with conservation messaging, the Dallas Zoo aims to inspire and empower visitors to take action on behalf of wildlife in Texas and around the world.” The Zoo is located about three miles south of downtown Dallas. It was the first zoo in the southwest U.S. founded in 1888 (135 years ago) with two deer and two mountain lions. It is laid out on 106 acres and houses more than 2,000 animals from more than 400 species. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). HNP has not organized a field trip to the Dallas Zoo in nearly five years, so it’s time.

I have heard innumerable professional nature/wildlife photographers discuss the value of using zoos as training opportunities to learn and practice wildlife photography skills. Yes, it’s a bit like fishing in a barrel, but the message I keep hearing from professionals is if someone can learn to make compelling wildlife images in a zoo with all the cages, fences, glass, people, and other distractions, they can learn to make compelling wildlife images in the field. I have provided some links to Internet sources that provide tips and techniques for producing great wildlife images at zoos.

“18 Tips for Stunning Zoo Photography”: https://digital-photography-school.com/zoo-photography/
“Tips and Techniques for Better Zoo Photography”: https://www.naturefocused.com/articles/zoo-photography.html
“How to Shoot Great Zoo Photography”: https://expertphotography.com/zoo-photography
“Tamron Zoo Photography Tips: How to Capture Animals in Controlled Environments”: https://tamron-americas.com/blog/how-to-take-great-zoo-photos-best-lenses/
“Practice Wildlife Photography by Heading to the Zoo”: https://photofocus.com/photography/practice-wildlife-photography-head-to-the-zoo/
Nikon Zoo and Wildlife Photography”: https://www.nikonusa.com/learn-and-explore/c/tips-and-techniques/zoo-and-wildlife-photography
“Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos: https://digital-photography-school.com/using-creative-zoo-photography-for-awesome-animal-photos/
“How to Capture Epic ‘Wildlife’ Photos at the Zoo”: https://www.shutterbug.com/content/how-capture-epic-wildlife-photos-zoo-video
“14 Best Zoo Photography Tips + Camera Gear & Settings”: https://www.photographyaxis.com/photography-articles/zoo-photography-how-to-get-that-perfect-shot-2/

TRAVEL

The Dallas Zoo is about an hour south of the Heard Nature Center in McKinney, though it may take only about 30 minutes on a Saturday morning. It is south of the Trinity River along I-35E. Regardless of your starting point, your cell phone or automobile GPS should get you there via the most efficient route.

LUNCH

Chips Old Fashioned Hamburgers is located on North Beckley Avenue. Family-owned and operated since 1981, Chip’s Oak Cliff location is about 10 minutes from the Dallas Zoo. They have a large menu that includes a host of hamburgers and other types of sandwiches, salads, baskets, hot dogs, Mexican dishes, barbecue, baked potatoes, side dishes, and desserts. They offer several vegetarian options. While we will need to travel to get there from the Zoo, the food is better than the in-Zoo options. And, equally important, they offer free on-site parking, a commodity that is surprisingly hard to find in the Oak Cliff/Bishops Art District area near the Zoo. We will meet for lunch between 11:30 and noon.

Chip’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers-Oak Cliff
1605 North Beckley Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75203
(214) 434-1084
https://thebestburgerever.com/

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

Telephoto Lens (A zoom lens adds flexibility.)
Super-Telephoto Lens or Teleconverter(s) (300mm or longer) to get closer to the animals.
Wide Angle Lens for environmental portraits of animals. (A zoom lens adds flexibility.)
Tripod or Monopod (optional, but may be more trouble than it is worth with all the people)
Lens Cleaning Supplies
Extra Batteries
Extra Memory Cards
Dress for comfort.
A Hat to Protect from the Sun
Water

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CONTACT INFORMATION: Contact me if you have questions:

Tom Martin
HNP Field Trip Coordinator
(469) 261-3045
hollyfox07@gmail.com