In almost every photo from our 1986 family vacation to Washington, D.C., I am showing off the souvenir I picked out from the gift shop at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo—a white, oversize, cotton sweatshirt with puff-paint pandas dancing on the front. I was nine years old, and pandas were cool. Not even midsummer heat could deter me from keeping that sweatshirt on throughout the trip.
I remember very little from the vacation, aside from the thrill of being at the zoo and seeing the giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing—star attractions on the tourist circuit. The following year Ling-Ling gave birth to twin cubs. The babies didn’t survive, but I don’t remember learning that as a kid.
Nearly 30 years later I found myself in the midst of a pool of photojournalists and video crews packed into the panda enclosure. A small cub named Bei Bei was being presented to the world, and I was covering it for National Geographic. The closest I’d come to photographing a subject that generated this level of frenzied enthusiasm was when Angelina Jolie visited the National Geographic Society headquarters for an event.
I confess that my childhood love of pandas hadn’t lasted. I lived in D.C. by then. The pandas were just another item to mark off the tourist checklist, and photographing a new cub was part of my job. But I also had children, and, as most parents in the Washington area do, I’d take them regularly to the National Zoo.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of National Geographic Magazine India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2020 edition of National Geographic Magazine India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ANGELINA'S PLAN TO DESTROY BRAD
AT IT AGAIN! A SOURCE SAYS ANGELINA JOLIE IS THREATENING TO RELEASE SECRET TAPES OF BRAD PITT BEING ABUSIVE.
WHY BREAST CANCER COMES BACK!
What every gal needs to know
Baby, This Is Motherhood
Welcoming 14-month-old son Leo put everything into perspective for Keke Palmer.
MAN, OH, MANDRELL!
Barbara's making a music comeback
On the Rebound
Her brand has hit a rough patch but J.Lo is already on to the next thing
On The Case
Girls Next Door alum Holly Madison dives into true crime stories in Lethally Blonde
MARGOT FUMES AS SHAKIRA TOYS WITH BARBIE!
DOLLFACE Margot Robbie is normally mild-mannered, but Shakira's Barbie zingers are getting under her skin and spies say she's telling people to keep the witch away from her - or else!
This Is a New Chapter in Our Lives
Welcome to suburbia! Bravo's buzzy new spinoff features a few familiar faces along with some fresh blood
INSECURE K-CLAN BEACH BUNNIES KICK SAND IN EACH OTHER'S FACES!
Mean momager Kris stirs the pot from 3,000 miles away!
BALDWIN'S LOOK ARE SHOT TO HELL!
Stress is killing old matinee idol
J.Lo to Ben: I WANT A BABY!
After getting a second chance at love, Jennifer Lopez wants a baby with Ben Affleck.
SHE'S THE STAR!
AS THE NEW SEASON OF THE REGENCY-ERA ROMANCE ARRIVES, NICOLA COUGHLAN FINDS HERSELF FRONT AND CENTER.
KEVIN: I WANT TO COME BACK TO YELLOWSTONE!
Will Yellowstone patriarch John Dutton return to the ranch?
SACHA & ISLA WHY IT REALLY ENDED
How ego and fundamental differences torpedoed Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher's marriage
Ben's Secret Texts to Matthew's Ex
Ben Affleck's brief stint on the dating app Raya in 2019 produced one very interesting love connection.
Billionaire Kylie GOING BROKE?!
As sales reportedly dip for Kylie Cosmetics, the makeup mogul hatches new ways to make money
GARTH DITCHES TRISHA!
Garth Brooks raises eyebrows for skipping wife Trisha Yearwood's big moment at the CMT Awards
Kate's New Life
How Princess Kate has prioritized her children and relied on a tight inner circle, led by Prince William, for support during her brave cancer battle
Are The Kardashians Finally At Peace?
The disgraced athlete quietly haunted the reality stars' lives long after he was acquitted of murder
NEW WALLOP FOR WILD MAN WALLEN!
More rehab & Worse after latest boozy bust
ABOVE THE LAW!
Explosive court papers dish Scientology warred on lawmen to protect Masterson rape secrets
GIRL, 7, SELLS LEMONADE TO BUY MOM'S GRAVE MARKER
Raises $10G after tragedy
WHY TORI SPELLING CAN'T POOP ALONE!
DEAR DR. GILDA: What's the straight poop on Tori Spelling? The D-list actress says she can't go to the bathroom without someone watching her - is this normal?
JUNKIE SON TRASHING 'UNFIT' CHER
Tells court she can't manage her own life!
VAIN MARIAH OUT TO PUMP UP HER SHRINKING MELONS!
CHESTY songbird Mariah Carey is in total meltdown mode as her once-prized 34F breasts have shriveled in size and are sinking toward her navel, say sources.
LAUER & LEMON'S REVENGE FANTASY!
Toxic team aims to conquer world
BRIT BEGS SAM TO SAVE HER!
Sends coded messages to get under his skin
GOLDEN BACHELOR'S HOUSE OF CARDS!
GOLDEN Bachelor Gerry Turner and his bachelorette Theresa Nist tied the knot in a glitzy Jan. 4 TV ceremony — yet three months later, the honeymooners were still in a long-kiss-dance relationship.
INSIDE THEIR SHOCKING SPLIT
The Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist end their three-month marriage amid tension over where to begin their life together
WYNONNA JUDD'S NEW HEARTACHE!
Troubled daughter tangles with law again, leaving own baby in jeopardy