Even after so many years with birds doing their business on her head, she holds it high. But I’m certain she has had better days.

Ostriches do not bury their head in the sand. They stretch out their neck and lay their head on the ground to keep from being seen, hence the myth that ostriches hide in the sand. Ostriches skeletons and fossils have been found which date back over 120 million years; ostriches are a true dinosaur. With at least 2 million ostriches living worldwide, ostriches are not an endangered species. An ostrich can kill a predator with a single kick. And they look angry too.

Taken at Dyreparken in Kristiansand, Norway.

Nikon D80 with Nikon AF-S 70-300/4,5-5,6 G VR IF-ED at 180mm;ISO200;1/320 sec at f/5,3

I’m a cat person. Cats have a grace unlike any other animal. Even big cats like lions and tigers have such grace. But big cats like this lioness also have something majestic about them. She truly is a queen.

From a visit to Dyreparken in Kristiansand, Norway.

Nikon D80 with Nikon AF-S 70-300/4,5-5,6 G VR IF-ED at 300mm;ISO100;1/500 sec at f/5,6

The siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)is now completely confined to the Amur-Ussuri region of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai in far eastern Siberia, where it is now protected. Only about 400 siberian tigers live in the wild today.

This beauty was not found in the wild, but in Kristiansand Zoo. Better known as Dyreparken.

Nikon D80 with Nikon AF-S 70-300/4,5-5,6 G VR IF-ED at 90mm;ISO400;1/125 sec at f/4,8

The plains zebra (Equus quagga) is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. When I saw this one drinking from the pond I had to take a few pictures. A few seconds later, it moved on. It was believed that the zebra was white with black stripes, but its underlying skin is black, not the previously thought white.

Nikon D80 with Nikon AF-S 70-300/4,5-5,6 G VR IF-ED at 220mm;ISO200;1/320 sec at f/8

Taken when I was showing my daughter some of the life in the forest. Of course, she thought the squirrels was more fun to see. And I got some fun images of those too, but with a 105mm it is hard to get close enough for the really good shot. This image was my favourite of the evening, even if it somewhat exceeds the limitations of ISO on my slightly old camera.

See other contributions for the theme “food enjoyment”.

Nikon D80 with Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro at 105mm;ISO800;1/3200 sec at f/5.6

Taken in Oslo Reptilpark, this spectacled caiman is far from home. This crocodilian reptile can be found in much of Central and South America, where it lives in both salt and fresh water. Because of this adaptability it is the most common of all crocodilian species.

Outside some snow is still waiting to melt in the capital of Norway. I don’t know if Brutus here dreams of going back to its natural habitat, perhaps in Colombia, but he should be glad he is indoors in a very warm and humid environment. Most probably he has no notion of returning at all.

This post is the thirteenth instalment of the X/52 project. This week the theme is “back” or “return”, depending on the translation of the norwegian word “tilbake”.

Check out other great solutions for the theme:
Ståle Ertzgaard: Ingen vei
Randi Lind/Naturglede: Tilbake i tiden
Anne: Tilbake
Vibeke Prestmo Valestrand: Syklus
Line Aakre: Tilbake til hverdagen
Anne Ueland: Flashback
Jelrik Nylund-van Berkel: Saucisson, fromage et vin

Anas platyrhynchos.

I saw this wild duck grooming in a pond when I was out celebrating the Norwegian Constitution Day on may 17. While I got many good pictures of people waving flags and having a good time, this is my favourite picture from the day. This beauty is a female “quacker”.

Panthera leo.

Panthera leo.

Every time I see a squirrel monkey I think of Mr. Nilsson, the monkey belonging to Pippi Longstocking. Did you know that the squirrel monkey has the largest brain of all the primates? Proportionately, off course!

The image is taken with my Sigma 105mm. I didn’t have time to change lenses, forcing me to concentrate on the main group of birds.

Can you blame me for missing him?