With the promise of some sunny weather I took myself off to the Marwell Wildlife park today – something I’ve been planning to do all week. They’ve recently welcomed some new snow leopards to the park and, as you all know, I have something of a soft spot for anything feline so they were my first port of call. I visit Marwell a couple of times each year and have success photographing a different combination of animals each time. The now leopards were still very dozy when I got to them but I managed to catch one of them snoozing in the sunshine. One thing I did achieve today was to finally take a decent shot of a red panda. Every time I’ve seen these cute little creatures anywhere they’ve been curled up in a tight ball, fast asleep at the very top of a tree. However, this little chap was happily tucking into some bamboo outside his house at lunchtime and I caught some very sweet expressions as he munched away! As ever, the meerkats were excellent value, posing obligingly and I couldn’t resist posting a few of my favourite shots of them enjoying the sun.

Wooow!Fantastic! :)) Goldbrandi · 2010-02-19: 17:46

These are just so incredible Helen! You captured the red panda very nicely. Excellent shots of the leopard. Those meerkats look like camera hams... :) ArtBee · 2010-02-19: 18:09

My wife and I love meerkats! The Memphis (Tennessee) Zoo has a nice exhibit, and when we're there, we have a hard time leaving them. All of the other shots are wonderful. Thanks for the post! lgnelson · 2010-02-19: 18:29

My husband just posted ahead of me and told me to go to your site. Oh, my! I could look at those little meerkat faces all day. I'm making #7 a favorite so that I can! Thanks so much for sharing your day at the zoo! djnana · 2010-02-19: 18:37

Wonderfull! Where is that? florlavag · 2010-02-19: 18:45

Wow, they are all so cute! No 5 goes into my favs! Wasichseh · 2010-02-19: 19:07

Excellent set!!!!! I love #1, 5, and 8!!! ????? · 2010-02-19: 20:02

haha, I love #4; what a sinister smirk that dude has!!~ awesome shots, great work with the lighting! urmysunshine · 2010-02-19: 21:31

Wonderful, cute set! ????? · 2010-02-20: 05:18

This is a lovely set and I rememeber a trip to Marwell many years ago where I saw endangered animals I'd never come across before like white tigers, snow leopards etc. Lynda · 2010-02-20: 08:14

Great shots of adorable creatures! I love the sleepy guy in the first two and the angle in the last one! lookagain · 2010-02-20: 09:10

So sweet! I love him enjoying the sunshine in #1, makes me feel warm too..I've never seen a red panda..wonderful shots :-) NellyBly · 2010-02-20: 10:50

This is a charming, warming and relaxing set... I feel like to do the siesta with them... ????? · 2010-02-20: 11:27

Oh - I'm jealous! I want to go to the zoo ;-) Really like the back view of the meerkat #5 - the lighting is nice. Sharon · 2010-02-20: 14:00

TfS never seen a red panda before, great set. MoMac · 2010-02-20: 14:18

This is such a beautiful set! great photos! Eiram · 2010-02-20: 15:38

Favorites are 1,2 and 9! Great job. Our zoo closed down. I think I would be there all the time. matteahmb · 2010-02-20: 22:35

oh! so lovely shots! miltonjacob · 2010-02-21: 07:58

Love all of them :-) Thank you for sharing... snapshoot · 2010-02-21: 09:55

#5 is so cute, and #1 fantastic! pumacat · 2010-02-21: 11:47

Suricatas are soooo cute! And I love that beautiful red panda! :D ????? · 2010-02-21: 14:14

What a great set!! Love them all but #1 and 5 are my favs! kellybee322 · 2010-02-21: 14:49

Great series! txerra · 2010-02-21: 16:58

Great set! I love the furry little creatures ... pandas are a favorite of mine ... the red one is adorable. :) ????? · 2010-02-22: 13:47

nice set! ????? · 2010-02-24: 12:35

All of these pictures are decent and excellent, Helen! I do like #5 very much, and those after, it's like he is sitting meditate or ponder about life - or just watching the lovely sunny day. Melusine · 2010-02-25: 16:41

Very well captured! 5 & 6 are just great! :) ppinho · 2010-02-25: 18:57

super, volim 5 i 6 !! Davorka · 2010-03-12: 11:57

Tagged: marwell zoo meerkat leopard mongoose panda