Red panda

The Columbus Zoo has a pair of red pandas.

The panda likes to snooze in a tree.

Here's the altitude.

The other one takes it to the next level.

That's not a cigar. As far as I know.

Some red panda links

• National Geographic
• World Wildlife Fund
• Snow frolic at the Cincinnati Zoo (YouTube) 

New lens!

I bought a longer lens (used, of course). It's a 70-300mm zoom that can replace the 70-200mm zoom I've been using. I can zoom closer, but I'm not crazy about the sharpness of the images. Here's a comparison. The Columbus Zoo is closed, so I had to make do with a squirrel.

New lens at 200mm

New lens at 300mm

I need a longer lens so I can see right into that squirrel's ear.

Details

A photo sometimes lets me see something I can't see or don't notice in person.

Birds don't have teeth, but this one has little... somethings in its beak. To better hold fish? Why not have a serrated beak? Maybe serrations would wear away over time while these things can grow back.

Humboldt penguin (Columbus Zoo)

It looks as though this flamingo has a pad under its heel. (Do birds have heels?) Or maybe that's just skin that's bunched-up because the toes are not spread out. Looks like there's a fourth toe, too.

Caribbean flamingo (Columbus Zoo)

I always thought a flamingo's neck was smoothly curved. Also, we can see through one nostril to the other side.

Caribbean flamingo (Columbus Zoo)

Check out this whydah's toenails. Is this normal?

female pin-tailed whydah (Toledo Zoo)

Check out the bottom of the elephant's foot in this post.

Tasmanian devils

I think I understand why they're called "devils." They've got red ears and mouths, and they make a screaming-growling sound. Kinda cute, though. And busy. Busy or sleeping. They're also endangered because of disease.

All photos are from the Columbus Zoo, except the last.

Mustard

Also Mustard. He's the easy one to identify because he has the largest white markings.

Thyme or Sprout. I wish I were standing there, although the glass provides outstanding reflections, which is probably why I wasn't standing there.

Busy

They often have brief conversations like this.

Devils are scavengers and often eat communally. The white thing is a rabbit.

Snoozing at the Toledo Zoo