WINNIE THE HIPPO GROWING SO FAST!

Winnie the baby hippo plays with her mother Binti while on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. Winnie was born in the spring of 2017 and as she has been one of the favorites at the Memphis Zoo. Winnie is growing fast from 70 lbs. to an anticipated 3,000 lbs. Her mother Binti stays close and is very protective of her big baby. The hippopotamus is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable.

A New Mood at Memphis Symphony Orchestra

https://issuu.com/contemporarymedia/docs/memphis_jul18

We are so lucky! Meet Robert Moody, the new conductor in town for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in this months Memphis Magazine!  Can't wait to see what Robert Moody does here in Memphis with the Memphis Symphony.

We had great fun on our photo shoot. He comes to Memphis with a lot of experience and inspiration. © Photos by Karen Pulfer Focht

Orangutan Kisses

When Baby Orangutan Rowan, wants mommy Kisses.

~Rowan and Jahe are on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.
Baby Rowan, was born on March 19, 2016 at the Memphis Zoo via Cesarean section. Rowan, weighed 4.5 pounds at birth, and was bottle fed by zookeepers. He is a Sumatran Orangutan. Only about 200 Sumatran Orangutans are currently on exhibit across the USA. The species is listed as “Critically Endangered.”  Orangutan means “man of the forest;” Orangutans have the second longest childhood, first being humans, spending up to eight years with their mothers.

Jerry Lee Lewis Through The Later Years

As a photojournalist in Memphis, I have covered Jerry Lee Lewis many times over the years.  I moved to Memphis in the late 80's and I have always enjoyed watching Jerry Lee Lewis perform. I consider myself a fan as well.

I was originally introduced to him by my fellow coworker Jim Kingsley, who has since passed away. Jim who was a stereotypical newsman, was also in the inner circle of Elvis Presley. Jerry was married to his sixth wife Kerry Lynn McCarver at the time. I remember Lee (Jerry Lee Lewis lll) as a toddler.

Lewis is passionate about his music and loyal to his fans.

I have photographed him in clubs, festivals, on Donald Trumps yacht and have been lucky enough to visit his ranch many times. I watched him get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I watched the IRS remove his piano from his home when he owed back taxes.

Jerry Lee has lived a turbulent life and he has a wild reputation. While I admit he is a bit of a flirt, I can say my personal experience with him has been that he has always been a kind man and a gentleman, each and every time I have interacted with him. It has always been my pleasure to photograph him.

I recently watched him bring in the new year once again at age 82, at his namesake club, Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe and Honky Tonk on Beale Street in Memphis. I realized what an honor it has been to cover him for 30 years. I still get a kick out of watching him and he still gets a kick out of playing for his fans who come from all over the world to see him. You can see in the video that he stills smiles at the end of Great Balls of Fire, his signature song that he must have sung thousands of times since it was a hit in the 50's.

I have decided to share a glimpse of my photo collection in this photo gallery (above) and share a current video in this blog space below.

©Karen Pulfer Focht- Photojournalist