Breakfast with Fishing Cats

One of my biggest frustrations with the Night Hunters exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo is that it is very difficult to take pictures there. I have a new camera that can handle low light better, but the lighting has a blueish tint.

I did, however, get a hint that, if you go early enough, you can catch these nocturnal creatures as they end their “day phase.” And, I got to see the fishing cats, my second favorite kind of cat, as they had their breakfast.

There are two, a female (pictured above), and a male.

To be honest, I think he was a little afraid of the lady fishing cat, giving her space while she ate.

He is a very handsome cat.

They eventually shifted to “night phase.” Below is a picture with no manipulation (other than a crop). You can see what I mean by the “bluing” problem.

I’m still seeing what can be done with software. Here is my first attempt at processing my way around the problem.

Kinda green.

I could just give up and go black-and-white.

I’m still working on it. Any opinions?

Other cats benefited from my early visit. The caracal was out and interested in what I was doing.

The sand cat wanted me to follow him…

…to the top of his hill.

Neofelis nebulosa was having his breakfast.

He has such a long tail!

Cats aren’t the only creature to call Night Hunters their home. Some bats were just hanging around.

Cincinnati has been coated in a layer of ice the last couple of days. I didn’t get to see the cougars, as their window was, shall we say, double-paned.

Most outdoor animals weren’t out. Some, however, call this weather “pleasant.” For instance, there is the polar bear.

And, of course, the penguins.

I did shoot a short video (including the loud penguins).