Shannon Mathis is a photographer from Tallahassee, FL and a long time best friend of mine. She has an extremely talented eye when it comes to photography. Especially when it comes to capturing moments of purity and love. She does fashion photography, boudoir, senior and family portraits. Because her keen sense of understanding people and her ability to capture love and emotion in such a beautiful way, her wedding and engagement photos really shine!
Check out a few sample photos here but you should definitely go to her website at http://miamorefoto.com/blog/ and see much more of her work!
http://miamorefoto.com/blog/
A home for animals or a place to view animals? There can be a difference. I think the Jacksonville Zoo (where I am subsequently from) does a good job at keeping natural habitats for the animals but I can’t help but feel guilty as I walk through and look at what small spaces they actually are for such expansive creatures, some with long roaming capabilities. This goes for most zoo like properties. This is, of course the nature of the beast when it comes to education first hand and in many cases these animals have actually been rescued or would no longer survive in the great outdoors. I have a friend that works at the zoo in the gardens, and they are continually trying to beautify the location and do a great job in doing so. This allows for special updates on the animal news which certainly makes it feel closer to home. There are two particular zoos that I feel have gone far and beyond in my opinion (well… that I have been to anyway) for creating a really great habitat for the animals while minimizing the ‘animals on the other side of the glass’ type feeling.
One such location is located in Seattle Washington. http://www.zoo.org/
The Woodland Park zoo struck me right away, it didn’t ‘feel’ like a place where humans come just to view the animals. It felt like I stepped [relatively] into their backyard and perhaps was even being viewed by the animals. Often times I felt concerned that an a nimal was too close or able to just jump a simple low wood fence to get to us.
The difference is the way it is built. What looks like a place without nets, chains or large fences is actually really smart engineering. They built deep motes just on the other side of the hill where the small fence is, this creates the illusion that there is barely any barrier. Trust me, when it comes to seeing bears or wolves like this is can take you back a bit. (photos I took from actual zoo)
As I roamed this beautifully rich, natural environment, I felt as though the animals were playful, learning and even happy. There was a woman who sat and drew pictures to an orangutan. He watched her intently; she held up the picture of her hand (drawn), then showed him her actual hand. He would then look at his hand and put it to the glass on hers. A few children sat back and watched in wonder, as did I. It was a really personal moment and wonderful to see people interacting and communicating with the animals!
There is something very special about that interaction that I fear some places may not hit on as strongly. The Elephants for examples had a very long, large lock of land that just kept going and going. There were of course some pitfalls and some smaller exhibitions which to me is the evil side to good. Particularly when I come to the cheetah’s for example, in any park I instantly feel it slightly unfair. But it would be very difficult to have a place for us to come and see these animals first hand and learn about them, if it were limited to space. Truth is, for so many animals space will continue to be an issue. I commend zoos though, who really do try to go far and beyond to make the environment not only comfortable and inviting to us, but to the animals!
There is another type of zoo I recently visited which was on a much smaller scale but also with a lot less animals. It is in our backyard of Florida in Tallahassee. The Tallahassee Museum is home to the local animals found in Florida, like the Florida Panther and Black bear and others such as certain native birds and reptiles. I love taking my kids there because it feels like roaming the back woods of Florida, even with the marsh and Bald Cypress trees. The trails are natural and it feels minimally invasive to the species. http://tallahasseemuseum.org/
I think there will always be a debate for eco-critics as to whether zoos play more evil or good. The ideas of caged, trapped and limited animal capabilities, or controlled environments compare/contrast with the positive ideals of hands on education, first hand site, rescue, positive research and care. I believe positive, progressive steps in nature such as the Sierra Club and putting land back to protect animals is a great form of protection for natural habitat and in turn many species. In relation to our zoos however I cannot argue against them because of how much good ‘can’ come from these sanctuaries, zoos and the sort. They are hospitable places for, sometimes many otherwise endangered species. The question of whether zoos are cruel to animals may continue to arise but I believe as long as we strive to keep animals safe and build our knowledge of them, as well as continue to find ways to improve the system, it will be for the good.
If there is any true evil to animals, I think it would be wiser to focus our attention to the cutting down of rain forests and pushing habitats out or driving them out completely for commercial or residential building. A prime example here in Florida being the everglades. There was a time when folks were trying to turn the wetlands to land, but then wonder and complain about the alligators in their backyard. Then in turn say it needs to be killed. The truth is: it was their home and is really no wonder at all. Of course Florida is taking some really strong initiatives to restore the everglades and that is commendable. http://www.evergladesplan.org/index.aspx
It seems it is always easier for us to turn a cheek when the human interest is at heart and perhaps that is because we see ourselves as the dominate species. But I certainly encourage others to think about our interplay with the environment- particularly the animals. Even if each person does one small thing to encourage that thought or try to help in some way I think that the whole will certainly make a difference.
Check out your local zoo site for information of ways to get involved.
Some other good sites:
http://www.defenders.org/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
10 simple ways to help your community: http://www.aspca.org/adoption/ten-ways-to-help-animals-in-your-community.html
Please share any ideas you may have to help animals, community or personal stories.
- What is YOUR favorite Zoo?
