After postponing my zoo visit a few weeks ago, I finally got there yesterday. Our two-week lockdown ended in Melbourne. I woke up Saturday to beautiful blue skies and sunshine (at last). I made a very impromptu decision to make a Melbourne Zoo visit to sketch. I had recently purchased Zoo Membership and so visiting for a short time is now financially viable. I stayed for one and a half hours.
in the mid distance 
amazing bones and muscles in those hind legs 
soaking uo the winter morning sun
I have only been to the zoo a few times and always for a full day. I took this opportunity to think about how I would approach these short visits. You still need to book online before a visit.
There were two zebras eating and every now and then would make funny noises talking to each other.
stayed in the one place for ages while feeding, 
a giraffe next to a zebra – and then they moved
My thoughts
Go on weekdays – It was very busy (within allowed COVID-19 numbers). I think I was the only person without a pram or 3 children under 10. It would be even more crowded on school holidays and public holidays. Avoid these.
Arrive when the zoo opens – go straight to the popular animals, it will soon get crowded.
I plan on going after work in summer, so will have to see what it is like then
A lot of my time was spent walking around between and around areas. If I am only there for a short time I will need to be focused on sketching, not walking.
It is always an unknown as to what animals will be around, how close they will be to viewing/sketching, how long they will stay in one place. Grab opportunities. Stay and sketch while you can. Sketching means observing. I saw so many little details. Even though the sketch was quick, the time spent looking at me animal is a wonderful opportunity to really look.
Some animals are much more popular than others. You know the ones ! In the lesser-known or less popular animals, people will either not spend much time there, or not go at all.
I try and prop myself up in a corner out of the way – Makes life easier for everyone.
Does anyone else have any suggestions?
cassowary
I decided to sketch in different book than my usual Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook (13cm x 19cm). I had been given some old ledgers, some written in, others blank. I choose the lightest one ( some are really heavy), which 34cm x 23cm. The paper is very different, and I realised I would not use my normal techniques. Yesterday I used my FaberCastell Watercolour Pencils, but did not add water. I know that the paper would not take the paper very well. I will probably do this in the future but also experiment with some of the other pencils, inks, charcoals etc that I have at home and don’t usually use.
Before COVID, I was just like you — I had a zoo membership so I could stop in for quick visits when I had time or the weather was good. I haven’t been there in a couple of years now, but I used similar strategies as yours. One thing I noticed is that even with the popular animals, families (especially with small kids) do not have much patience, so they look for a bit, and then they leave quickly. You, as a sketcher, have much more patience 😉 … if the best viewing area is crowded, just wait a short while, and soon it will be yours. 🙂
That is a lovely old ledger! I like to use really soft pencils as I do in life drawing. After all, it is life drawing, just not human. 😉 You could use your favorite life drawing tools, too.
Love the comment by Tina. You spent a very valuable one and a half hours at the zoo. Excellent advice on zoo visiting and good quick sketches.