PlaymoFriends

Creative => Customs Gallery => Dioramas & Buildings => Topic started by: bonniebeth on December 04, 2013, 16:38:52

Title: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 04, 2013, 16:38:52
So I know it's been quite a while since I posted any creative contributions. We have been in transition -- we finally have a room devoted just to our playmobil now, so I have room to work on projects again. :love:

This is my latest project, a diorama of just one section of a zoo. When I did my last  zoo diorama (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=8770.0), I did not put as much energy into the North America section as the other sections. I was lacking inspiration at the time. But I had a new idea inspired by combining things I have seen at a few different zoos I have been to. I decided to create a little western town, with the buildings being the viewing areas to look out and see the animals. Of course, this takes up a lot of room to fully develop this idea, so in a diorama of my entire zoo it would have to be scaled back a bit. But I decided to set up just the North America section the way I imagined it and here it is.

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0104.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0104.jpg.html)
An overview of the whole section


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0106.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0106.jpg.html)
The view down Main Street from the entrance


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0108.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0108.jpg.html)
Front view of the saloon, which is also a small drink bar, and the sheriff's office


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0109.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0109.jpg.html)
View of the stage coach office and the livery stables


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0110.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0110.jpg.html)
A closer view of the livery stables, home to bison, elk, moose, and white tail deer


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0111.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0111.jpg.html)
A family taking pictures inside a real stage coach (They have this at the Fort Worth Zoo)


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0114.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0114.jpg.html)
The sheriff's office


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0115.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0115.jpg.html)
A picture of the saloon with custom signs


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0116.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0116.jpg.html)
The eagle exhibit housed in a fort tower


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0117.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0117.jpg.html)
Inside the saloon


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0118.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0118.jpg.html)
Grizzly bear exhibit


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0119.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0119.jpg.html)
Outdoor viewing of the grizzlies


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0122.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0122.jpg.html)
The inside of the sheriff's office


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0124.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0124.jpg.html)
Black Bear


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0125.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0125.jpg.html)
Enrichment activity for the bears


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0126.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0126.jpg.html)
Inside the stage office


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0128.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0128.jpg.html)
Cougars


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0129.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0129.jpg.html)
Hungry cougar


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0130.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0130.jpg.html)
Enormous mountain for the cougars to climb


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0131.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0131.jpg.html)
Back view of the bison exhibit


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0132.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0132.jpg.html)
Another view


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0138.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0138.jpg.html)
The school building is an education center for keeper chats


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0133.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0133.jpg.html)
The animal being shown today is a skunk


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0135.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0135.jpg.html)
The front of the general store


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0136.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0136.jpg.html)
Barber shop and Tailor


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0137.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0137.jpg.html)
And the bank and gold mine


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0141.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0141.jpg.html)
Vultures housed in the water tower


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0142.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0142.jpg.html)
Wolf Exhibit


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0143.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0143.jpg.html)
Inside the general store


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0145.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0145.jpg.html)
Howling to the moon


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0146.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0146.jpg.html)
Taking a video of feeding time


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0147.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0147.jpg.html)
Beavers, and a few ducks


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0148.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0148.jpg.html)
Inside the barber shop, which I forgot to put furniture in 8}


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0150.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0150.jpg.html)
Wild boars


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0151.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0151.jpg.html)
Skunks, racoons, and foxes


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0152.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0152.jpg.html)
Another view


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0153.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0153.jpg.html)
Owl exhibit housed in the windmill


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0155.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0155.jpg.html)
Another view


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0161.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0161.jpg.html)
Petting zoo sign


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0156.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0156.jpg.html)
An overview


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0157.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0157.jpg.html)
Horses


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0158.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0158.jpg.html)
A keeper keeping an eye on things


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0162.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0162.jpg.html)
The goldmine, housing scorpions, snakes, and lizards


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0163.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0163.jpg.html)
Scorpion exhibit


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0164.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0164.jpg.html)
Rattlesnakes


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0165.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0165.jpg.html)
Somebody's afraid of snakes


(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/western%20zoo/100_0166.jpg) (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/bonniebeth2/media/western%20zoo/100_0166.jpg.html)
Lizards in the mine cart


And that's it. Hope you enjoyed it!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: playmofire on December 04, 2013, 17:23:21
A great idea, Bonnie, and nicely executed.  I love the attention to detail, for example, the keeper's chats sign.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Tiermann on December 04, 2013, 18:17:06
Wonderful Bonnie. Love the way you've integrated the structures. Some very clever ideas there, and a great way to combine themes together.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: sunflower on December 04, 2013, 21:15:09
This is so nice!  :love:
I love the birds in the mill. A great zoo to visit!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: tigana123 on December 04, 2013, 23:24:45
This is an amazing work  <*)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: tahra on December 05, 2013, 08:54:07
That's a great setup :)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Georgeag1972 on December 05, 2013, 10:30:32
Wonderful setup with some very nice ideas. I like very much you have closed the windmill and the water tower and you have done them to look like cages. Very clever!! Excellent work Bonnie, congrats. Many thanks for sharing.

George. :)

Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: basilsdad on December 05, 2013, 11:55:26
This is such a clever addition to your zoo.  There are so many neat ideas!  I love the netting you used to enclose the windmill, it looks just like chicken wire.  :love:

Joe
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 05, 2013, 12:48:02
Thanks everyone! I had a lot of fun coming up with these ideas. It took me forever to set all this up though! The cages and the "glass" walls of the buildings were harder than I thought they would be. But in the end I loved how it turned out. :love:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: DrDalek6 on December 05, 2013, 20:37:17
What an awesome idea you get two brilliant settups for the price of one, loving the scenery in all the animal enclosures looks like they've got some really good areas to live and play in, and some great settups as well with the all the visitors I really like it  :)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Wesley Myers on December 05, 2013, 22:26:49
The "Theme Park" idea is a very interesting one!   <*)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 06, 2013, 00:40:18
Thanks, guys! :)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Rasputin on December 09, 2013, 01:29:44
Very effective combinations of western building and modern zoo. I have often tried to figure out how to combine certain themes and you sure did find one.

Thanks for sharing your neat ideas.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 09, 2013, 03:12:47
Thanks! It combines my two absolute favorite themes, too. :love:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Rhalius on December 11, 2013, 11:17:00
A great setup! I like how the clickies are interacting with it too!

(though I first thought the fellow on the general store was sipping from a red bottle, only noticed it was a chunk of meat when seeing it from the other side.  :-[ )

Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 11, 2013, 14:30:31
(though I first thought the fellow on the general store was sipping from a red bottle, only noticed it was a chunk of meat when seeing it from the other side.  :-[ )

 :lol: That probably wouldn't be a good plan when standing over the wolf exhibit!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: tonguello on December 11, 2013, 18:34:33
 :sparkle: :sparkle: What a great idea!!  :sparkle: :sparkle:

I enjoyed it a lot! I love the "albino" kid!  :love:



 :ginger:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 12, 2013, 02:49:21
Thanks, Gaston. I love that albino kid too. He's my most special klicky.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: cheng on December 12, 2013, 07:07:59
very well done BB....who's going to make a Playmo theme park? (maybe it has been done :P)
and combining totally different themes is also an achievement (I try to reduce my number of shelves this way) and seeing your glass walls...I've often wondered if I should use them to reduce the amount of dust of keep my playmo from little (kids') fingers....they do sell large transparent acylic sheets but I dont have the means to cut them neatly to different sizes....and our playmo dont look that nice even behind very clear glass
and merry christmas to you and all our PFs here!
 :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh: :sleigh:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 12, 2013, 13:40:10
Thanks, cheng. Yeah, I have clear cellophane keeping the dust out of my zoo gift shop which is on permanent display. Too many small parts to ever be able to dust it! http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=9416.0
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Pynedor on December 12, 2013, 13:52:20
Cool idea! It looks great. <*)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 12, 2013, 17:53:51
Thanks!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on December 20, 2013, 16:40:36
I have just added a video to youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTrMbjoqERY

This diorama has already been taken down and something new is up in its place. ;D Chris and I will be doing a western-themed joint photo story while he's out of school for the semester break. :cowboy: :indian:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Giorginetto on January 06, 2014, 21:33:34
Very original and very savvy . i love the set up and how the animals are presented etc !  8-) 8-) 8-)
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Birdie on January 07, 2014, 13:41:47
I think your North America section looks very lifelike, and I love all the creative solutions you found, in stead of just using fences.

Where does the big rock formation from the cougars come from? Is it a combination of rocks with the ones from the new Fort Brave (I don't have that set)?

I like how the goldmine is walk-through (or at least it looks like it is).
And the sign for the petting zoo, it's beautifully made!

Great news about the room dedicated to Playmobil :) Hope it means more projects soon!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on January 07, 2014, 14:17:04
Thanks George!

Birdie, the goldmine is a walk-through terrarium, with scorpions, lizards, and snakes. Well spotted on the cougar rocks; the bottom part is from the fort, and the part on top is from the 5247 indian camp set. It fit on top just perfectly so that it wouldn't have that awkward flat top.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Giorginetto on January 08, 2014, 10:47:24
  :)9 :)9 :)9 :)9    Our daughter  ( 20 months old) loves seeing your set ups  as she loves animals and already names many of them

I think she prefers animals and will prefer victorina sets than iseroth's grand armies etc .. ohhh well...  :lol:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Wolf Knight on January 09, 2014, 18:45:56
A very smart and clever set up, Bonnie! Loved your idea!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on January 09, 2014, 19:59:47
Hey Panos!!! :) Thanks!

George, I'm glad your daughter enjoys them.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: leefert on January 25, 2014, 23:48:48
I love how you did the birds!  Great ideas!  I never even thought about using the western buildings for mine.  It gives me some great ideas for the zoo I am planning (and currently gathering parts for).
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on January 25, 2014, 23:52:16
Thanks! Can't wait to see your zoo when you get it finished!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Daniela on January 26, 2014, 08:24:48
That´s a wonderful idea!

I am absolutly stunned and could take hours to wander around.


All thumbs up, Bonnie!

Daniela  :wave:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on January 26, 2014, 15:48:17
Thank you so much Daniela! :love:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: leefert on January 27, 2014, 19:58:18
Thanks! Can't wait to see your zoo when you get it finished!

Me either!  It's just taking a lot longer to gather the parts that I want than I had hoped (I keep adding things that I want- including stuff that won't be available here until next year).  But I am getting back on track with the gathering of the items lol some of them are proving harder to find than I had hoped.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on January 27, 2014, 22:20:24
It took me a long time to get the parts together to set my zoo set up the way I wanted the first time. I am always adding to it still, though. Just like real zoos. I need a ten-year plan now. :lol:
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: leefert on February 08, 2014, 01:16:19
Most of my parts are still in boxes... I do however know that I have no less than a dozen Zebras.  Perhaps I will have to try to do as the real zoos do and trade some animals around
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: Cloud Strife on February 24, 2014, 20:44:33
Fabulous, your passion really comes through in the very detailed, clever and well-thought out vignettes.  I love the walk-through goldmine section where you can see the snakes and scorpions up close, and the predictable freak out  ;D.  That would be me freaking out except without the halter top.

Good luck with the gathering of parts!
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: bonniebeth on February 24, 2014, 22:30:52
Thanks so much! I was quite pleased with the way the goldmine turned out. It's such a great set and worked very well for that purpose.
Title: Re: Western Themed Section of My Zoo
Post by: playmovictorian on February 25, 2014, 10:10:55
Such a great & diverse diorama  :love:

I really felt like touring a zoo while enjoying all these wonderful Western themed buildings !

My favorite part is the pond with the Beavers  :)

Karim