Last weekend, we made the delightful decision to visit Wildpark Poing, a local gem we had not explored for far too long. Just a stone’s throw from Munich, this lovely wildlife park offers a serene escape, welcoming visitors with various animals native to our region. It’s a perfect place for a leisurely day out, immersing oneself in nature while getting reacquainted with beloved wildlife.
Since the sun graced us with its warmth on that Sunday, we were eager to arrive early and make the most of the beautiful day ahead. Equipped with a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens and my prime lens, I felt adequately prepared for the various photographic opportunities that lay ahead. Actually, until we entered, I didn’t have any specific plans. – In the past, the small deer near the entrance have always been enthusiastic about receiving treats from visitors. I envisioned several interesting shots involving them, but upon reflection, I decided against intricate setups and maneuvering. At that time, I yearned for natural shots that encapsulated the spirit of the day. No staging, no stress, no fun pics – just some calm moments.
Observing the Lynx
As we strolled toward the Lynx enclosure, a tinge of sadness crossed my mind regarding their limited space (even though it’s larger than in some other Zoos I guess). Observing them became an exercise in stillness and patience. I scanned the area for an ideal spot, paying close attention to the balance of background and foreground – a critical detail that had often eluded me in previous photos. I aimed to practice this and possibly improve a bit. And thankfully, it did not take long for a few captivating moments to unveil themselves before my camera. Before leaving I also wanted to try to record some video clips from the Lynx but quickly realized that this needs a bit more preparation and planning than what I wanted to invest that day.
Seeking the Perfect Goat Moment
After our time with the Lynx, we ventured toward the goats’ domain, where the playful antics of the young ones caught my eye. One little goat played around an old tree trunk, sparking my curiosity. I zoomed in, anticipating an interesting moment. I settled down, ready to capture its exuberance, and soon enough, several adorable scenes revealed themselves, creating beautiful frames in my viewfinder.
The Joy of Guinea Pigs
Later, we went on to the enclosure featuring guinea pigs. Their delightful presence brought smiles to both our faces, echoing the joy of the children watching them nearby. One particular guinea pig caught my attention as it leisurely nibbled on a twig. I seized the opportunity to zoom in, capturing the little creature amidst its surroundings, creating a sense of candid intimacy in my photograph.
Surprise Encounters with Peacocks
As we continued, we were pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of free-roaming peacocks. Some of them were displaying their magnificent feathers, we didn’t knw that it might be mating season for them. This was really an unexpected excitement for us – I can’t remember if I ever saw the peacocks showing their wheels. Or at least not so close. One male peacock approached, proudly presenting his glorious tail. While other visitors scuttled about in search of the perfect angle, I opted to simply kneel down and wait, hoping for a candid moment. I anticipated a challenge in framing the stunning colors of the peacock while avoiding any distractions in the background. I tried different crops and perspectives, racing against the clock until I finally felt I had captured a good image – just in time, as the peacock decided its display had come to an end as well.
The rest of our visit was quite nice as well. Yet I didn’t capture any more impressive photos to share. So I will just end the description at this point. By the end of our visit, I found myself quite happy with the day’s events: I had taken a couple of promising photographs, practiced the skills I set out to refine and we both truly enjoyed our time at Wildpark Poing. Could our day have been any better?