These videos are great - especially the one of the tiger. Whenever we go to The Bronx Zoo - which is quite often - the tigers are sleeping or hiding. I've never had to opportunity to see one the way you did. Thanks for sharing!!!
I considered myself extremely lucky to be that close to the tiger and actually be able to catch him taking a little bath.
Since the Tiger Exhibit is close to the entrance, we always go straight there once people are allowed inside the zoo. We've been there a couple of times before, but as you mentioned most of the time the tigers are quite far from the window and can only be spotted from far. There are times when the tiger come closer, but then the exhibit becomes overcrowded with people and it's hard to take pictures.
This time, we ran to the Tiger Exhibit to be the first and only ones to see the tigers. Imagine my surprise to find one tiger laying next to the window, and the other one taking a nice bath on the small pond. For a couple of minutes we were the only ones at the exhibit, and then the tigers moved somewhere else.
That is so cool. What a great experience for you.
We've made a point of being there for feeding time, and let me tell you, THAT's a zoo. Mobs of people and very few can see anything.
We'll have to try your method and see if we can get in there first. :-)