Ely photographer celebrated her 50th birthday early with a visit to Africa Alive after receiving tickets as a present.

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

Having been sent the tickets from the team as "a way of saying thank you for the pictures that I got in the paper of a recent visit to Banham Zoo", Nicky Still said she and her son had a "fantastic day".

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

"We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the lovable animals and it was great doing my photography on their lovely animals, too," she added.

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

"I don't just click and hope for the best... I wait for the right time when they pose - then that's the shot, showing their personality."

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

"Thank you so much to Banham Zoo for the lovely surprise tickets, they were very much appreciated," Nicky said.

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STIL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)

Ely Standard: Ely photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa AliveEly photographer Nicky Still's photos from her early 50th birthday visit to Africa Alive (Image: NICKY STILL)