COURTESY RICKY OSHIMA Ricky Oshima photographed all the animal pairs, except the green geckos, at the Honolulu Zoo. Mr. and Mrs. Gecko reside at Lyon Arboretum.

Togetherness

All creatures, great and small, find comfort in companionship, as Ricky Oshima proves with these shots of the animal world

Life's so much richer when you've got someone to share it with, and that doesn't just go for us two-legged, upright folk.

Photographer Ricky Oshima calls the Honolulu Zoo one of his favorite stomping grounds, and in his many visits there he's documented quite a collection of animal pairings. At first, Oshima was using the theme of Valentine's Day for his shots, hoping to catch critters sharing affection with one another. But he said the most striking human-like behavior the animals exhibit is in the way they fight.

"I don't know what's going on for sure, but they seem to fight like humans in a family," he says with a laugh. "They seem to (share) love and hate with each other the same (way)."

Oshima visits the zoo with fellow members of the Eye of Hawaii Camera Club. Look for future "Portfolio" pages from some of those folks.

COURTESY RICKY OSHIMA Lemurs are Oshima's favorites because they behave so much like humans.

COURTESY RICKY OSHIMA Tortoises.

COURTESY RICKY OSHIMA Ducks.

COURTESY RICKY OSHIMA Lizards were found dueling in one of the zoo's gardens.