By Kiba Snowpaw | May 21, 2025
📸 Gear Locked and Loaded
The day began at 6:00 AM with the kind of excitement only a full day at the zoo can spark. I packed my entire photography kit:
- Nikon D7500 (main camera)
- Nikon D5100 (secondary body)
- Lightdow 420–800mm super telephoto
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (workhorse lens)
- Nikon 18-55mm VR II (for wide shots and urban scenes)
- Canon LEGRIA HF G70 (video coverage)
- 5x 64 GB + 4x 128 GB SD cards: every slot mattered.
- …and one overstuffed gear bag that nearly needed its own ticket.
At 7:33 AM, I left home with my backpack fully loaded. It was so heavy I could’ve sworn I was heading on safari. Before catching my train at Frederikssund Station, I made my traditional pit stop at the local Netto where I work.
I hadn’t forgotten anything. I was there purely to stir the pot.
I spotted my coworker, the same one I’d run into after last week’s accidental PDA return and zoo run. She was right where I expected her: ready for a long shift, not a spontaneous animal adventure. With my best deadpan face, I asked if she was coming with me to the zoo this time. She rolled her eyes and giggled. She knew exactly what I was doing.
Then a second colleague joined in, just in time for me to up the mischief. “You know, you could always call in sick. Penguins and pizza beat stocking shelves any day.” That’s when the boss walked in, probably expecting morning chaos. Instead, he walked straight into the banter. My coworkers turned on him immediately:
“Come on, boss! Take the day off and go to the zoo with Kiba!”
He just laughed and played along: “Sure, why not? I’ll ditch my job for a day at the zoo.” No one believed him, but we had a good laugh.
Before heading out, I picked up a sandwich for breakfast, a half-liter of cola, and a chunky bar of Marabou chocolate for extra motivation. If there’s one thing every successful photo safari needs, it’s sugar, caffeine, and a little workplace drama to start the day right.
As I left, the crew made a whole show of “walking me out.” They followed me all the way to the road, waving dramatically like I was leaving for a year, not just a few hours of animal watching. With a final laugh and a “See you, have fun!” I headed for the station, already in the perfect mood to start the day.
After a few laughs and farewells, I caught the train.
🚶♂️ A Scenic Route to the Zoo
After arriving in Valby, I stepped off the train into the city’s early morning calm. My backpack felt even heavier on my shoulders as I set out toward Søndermarken, eager for some fresh park air and greenery after the train journey. But before I could lose myself in the trees, my route took me right past Jesuskirken, a landmark that’s impossible to ignore, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Jesuskirken (or “Jesus Church”) is one of Valby’s most recognizable buildings, with its brickwork, ornate details and separate bell tower. Designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup and commissioned by brewer Carl Jacobsen, the church was consecrated in 1891. Its design takes inspiration from early Christian basilicas, especially the churches of Ravenna in Italy. For a moment, I paused, partly to adjust my camera bag and partly to take in the view.
Even on an ordinary weekday morning, the church feels otherworldly. Sunlight caught the stained glass windows, throwing a splash of color onto the sidewalk. A few early risers passed by, either on their way to work or out for a jog, barely glancing up at the steeple. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them ever stopped to really look.
I snapped a few quick photos with my D5100 and the 18-55mm lens. Sometimes you just can’t resist. The light was perfect, and the contrast between the old building and the fresh green leaves screamed “take the shot.” If I’m honest, there’s something about old churches that always draws me in, even if my idea of spiritual is a quiet morning in nature, camera in hand.
With my photographic itch scratched and a last look at the tower, I continued toward Søndermarken, leaving the city’s brickwork behind for the greenery of the park.
🦩 Starting Strong: Flamingos & Tropical Birds
I always start with the flamingos, and today was no exception. I gave the Lightdow 420–800mm a shot, but let’s be real: my handheld shots were too soft and shaky. I swapped back to the 70–200mm and didn’t look back.
Inside the flamingo area, I photographed:
- Flamingos
Flamingos get their pink or reddish plumage from carotenoid pigments in their food, including algae and small crustaceans. They stir up mud with their feet and use their specialized beaks to filter out food. These social birds often gather in large flocks. Whatever the species, they’re always a colorful start to a zoo visit.
- Ringed Teals
Native to South American forest wetlands, the Ringed Teal is a small perching duck. Its strong claws help it grip branches, and it nests in tree cavities. Ringed Teals can form lasting pair bonds, with both parents helping to care for the ducklings.
- Scarlet Ibis
The Scarlet Ibis gets its vibrant red coloration from pigments in its diet, including small crustaceans. These birds are highly social, feeding and nesting in groups. They may fly in lines or V-formations between feeding grounds and roosts, and typically nest in trees near wetlands.
- Red-breasted Geese
The Red-breasted Goose is one of the most visually striking geese, with bold patterns of black, white, and chestnut. Breeding in the Arctic tundra of Siberia, they undertake long migrations to wintering grounds in southeastern Europe. These geese often nest near birds of prey like peregrine falcons, which inadvertently protect them from predators.
- Inca Terns (still drama queens in every zoo, and I love them for it)
The Inca Tern breeds along the coasts of Peru and Chile and is easily recognizable by its dark gray body, red bill and feet, and distinctive white mustache. It feeds mainly on small fish such as anchovies. That mustache is more than decoration: research has linked its length to body condition and breeding success in both males and females.
🦁 Mammal Majesty: Lions to Bears
The lions were, predictably, chilling in the heat.
Then I swung by the polar bear, who was munching on what looked like a head of lettuce or cabbage.
From there:
- Hamadryas baboons: captured a touching moment between a mother and young one.
Native to the Horn of Africa and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, Hamadryas Baboons are known for their complex social groups. Adult males have a silver-white mane and are much larger than females. Smaller family units gather into larger bands and troops, and the baboons often sleep on cliffs in their dry, rocky habitats.
- Prairie dogs: always camera-ready.
Prairie Dogs are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. Living in large colonies known as “towns,” they have a complex system of tunnels with designated areas for nurseries, sleeping, and waste. Prairie Dogs are highly social and communicate with a sophisticated system of vocalizations to alert others of predators.
- Black-and-white ruffed lemur: one of my favorites to shoot.
Endemic to the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur is one of the largest lemur species. They are arboreal and primarily frugivorous, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal. These lemurs are also known for their loud, raucous calls that can be heard over long distances.
- Harbor seal: posed nicely.
Harbor Seals live along coastlines across the Northern Hemisphere. Their diet includes fish, shellfish and crustaceans. They have distinctive spotted coats that vary from pale gray to brown or almost black, and spend time both swimming and resting ashore.
- Giant Panda: caught mid-bamboo snack.
The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a bear native to the mountain forests of China, instantly recognizable by its black-and-white coat. Bamboo makes up almost all of its diet. An enlarged wrist bone, often called a “pseudo-thumb,” helps it grip the stalks, while strong jaws and broad molars do the chewing. Watching one work its way through a bamboo snack is half the fun.
- Elephants: majestic as always.
The Asian Elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia, with smaller ears and a more domed head than African elephants. Females and young live in social herds, usually led by an older female. These herbivores spend much of the day eating grasses, leaves, bark and other vegetation. Habitat loss and conflict with people are major threats in the wild.
Then I hit a more natural-looking path with minimal fencing, leading to:
- Musk oxen: they looked warm in the 22°C heat with those heavy coats.
Musk Oxen are Arctic mammals with a long outer coat and a dense insulating undercoat called qiviut. This double layer helps them cope with the cold. They feed on Arctic vegetation and are known for forming defensive circles, with their horns facing outward to protect the young from predators.
- Brown bears: one digging, another dozing in the shade.
Brown Bears are one of the most widespread bear species, found across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are omnivorous, with diets ranging from berries and roots to fish and small mammals. Brown Bears have a keen sense of smell and are known for their strength and solitary nature, except during mating season or when mothers are raising cubs.
🐧 The Penguin Moment That Got Away
At the penguin enclosure, I was lining up the perfect wide shot when a zookeeper marched by with a ladder. You guessed it: the penguins headed straight into the water. Déjà vu… the same thing happened years ago.
Still, I got good action shots:
- A penguin shoving another into the water (didn’t catch the push, but got the aftermath).
- Others swimming, splashing and preening their feathers.
Penguins are flightless seabirds adapted to life in the water. They are excellent swimmers, using their flippers to propel themselves through the water. Penguins preen their feathers regularly to maintain waterproofing and insulation, using oil from a gland near the base of their tail.
🐒 Quick Stop at the Apes
Most were inside, and the crowd was too much. I skipped detailed shots and moved on.
🐦 Birding Heaven: Tropical House
Here’s where it gets interesting:
- Trumpeter hornbill: excellent light and angles.
The Trumpeter Hornbill lives in forests across parts of central, eastern and southern Africa. It has loud, nasal calls and a large casque above its bill, especially in males. Fruit makes up most of its diet, though it also eats some small animals.
- White-rumped shama: twice, once solo and once as a pair.
The White-rumped Shama is a songbird native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its melodious, varied song. It favors dense forest undergrowth. Its popularity as a cage bird has put pressure on wild populations in parts of its range.
- Song thrush: caught it mid-worm!
The Song Thrush is a common bird across Europe and parts of Asia. They are known for their repeating musical phrases. Song Thrushes feed on a variety of invertebrates and fruits, often using stones as anvils to break open snail shells.
- Melinaea ethra butterfly (tentative ID): spotted in the butterfly section.
Melinaea ethra belongs to the Nymphalidae butterfly family. The species identification here is tentative, but the orange-and-black wing pattern made it worth photographing.
- Amethyst starling: gorgeous iridescence.
- Victoria crowned pigeon: regal as always.
- Emperor tamarin: expressive little face.
- Green-rumped parrotlet (probable ID).
- Java sparrow (ricebird).
- Hoopoe (Upupa epops): easily one of the most photogenic.
- Red-whiskered bulbul: nice and sharp.
- White-rumped shama female: less flashy but still stunning.
- Hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus): always a bonus to find non-bird wildlife.
🐊 Croc Confusion Turned Fascination
Near the butterfly section, I found the crocodile enclosure. Copenhagen Zoo’s crocodiles were long thought to be Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). In 2013, the zoo announced that DNA testing had identified its two remaining animals as West African crocodiles (Crocodylus suchus). A later genetic study also confirmed two Copenhagen Zoo specimens as this distinct species. A good reminder that appearances alone don’t always tell the whole story.
🦘 Wrapping It Up With Kangaroos & Lovebirds
I ended the visit with:
- Kangaroos: lying in the sun, hopping, eating. I shot everything from wide angles to close-up portraits.
- Lovebirds (Agapornis): dozens of shots, especially cute moments of grooming and bonding. Easily the most heartwarming part of the day.
At this point, it was around 2 PM, and my video camera was down to 10% battery. I’d been up since 6 AM, and my legs were done.
🏠 Journey Home
I walked to Valby Station, waited 10 minutes for the train to Roskilde, then caught a bus to Skibby after a 5-minute layover.
Before heading home, I stopped in the town center, grabbed a pizza and a 1½ L cola, then finally made it back. The rest of the evening was spent chilling with anime and looking back at the day’s haul of images.
📷 Final Thoughts
It was a long, sweaty day, with a heavy bag and plenty of stories to bring home. From long-lens battles and photo-bombing keepers to tropical birds and a sunbathing kangaroo, it was one of those trips I’ll remember every time I flip through the album.
🐺 About the Author
Kiba Snowpaw: Ice Alpha Wolf of HowlStrom. Photographer, storyteller, and furry traveler. Capturing the wild, the real, and the untamed with a DSLR in one hand and a furred heart in the other.
Sources and image credits: Jesuskirken: church history; Ringed Teal: University of Nebraska; Inca Tern ornament study; West African crocodile genetic study; Copenhagen Zoo’s 2013 crocodile announcement; Musk ox: National Park Service; Flamingos: San Diego Zoo; Scarlet ibis: San Diego Zoo; Hamadryas baboon: San Diego Zoo; Prairie dog: San Diego Zoo; Giant panda: San Diego Zoo; Elephant: San Diego Zoo; Ruffed lemur: Smithsonian’s National Zoo; Brown bears: National Park Service; Penguin feathers: Phillip Island Nature Parks; Song thrush: British Trust for Ornithology; Trumpeter hornbill: IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group; Harbor seal: NOAA Fisheries; Red-breasted goose: WWT; White-rumped shama: Cornell Lab; Melinaea ethra taxonomy: Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. All trip photographs are by Kiba Snowpaw. The additional map is credited beneath the image.