Sunday, October 23, 2016

Take me to the zoo (part 1)



It's time to head to the zoo with my friend Sally and her red helper.

Seems I'm always

following along

and often playing catch up.

Not to worry, though, because she had to stop in the office to renew her membership badge, which she had already renewed through the  mail.  While she was having her picture taken again, I took time to take a photo of this colorful tree.

Every year the zoo has a fund raiser called Zoobilee.  It had been the previous weekend, so signs of the event was still clearly evident.  This must have been beautiful at night.

Sally wanted to take a different path this time, but she insisted on stopping by the flamingos near the entrance.

Of course, I was caught up with taking a few photos

as they set about eating

and cleaning themselves.

I was busy trying to get a good shot when I realized my camera lens was focusing on the leaves in the foreground, rather than the birds.

As I walked further to get a better shot, I found this signage.

Not sure this was a better vantage point, but at least a few were closer.

The zoo is definitely proud of its sponsors who are from the area.

I believe I've shown this view before and it has not changed.  It includes the new elephant compound.

We walked past the Children's Farms, but Sally wasn't interested in going in.  The lights were  left over from Zoobilee.

We walked on and evidenced more lights left over from Zoobilee.

This is the first time I've seen this signage.

It was leading up to the area where the penguins were kept.  I was so impressed, I had to take a second photo.

I also had to take a photo of this sculpture.

Sally got really excited when she saw the different types of penguins housed here.

From a photography standpoint, this was a lousy way to view them.

I kept moving around, looking for a better vantage point.

Unfortunately,

the net was there to keep them from leaving their habitat.

I gave up trying to get a good shot and concentrated on reading about penguins.


That's when I decided to

watch them swim under water.

This little boy was enjoying talking to this penguin.  Please note the identification band on each penguin's wing.

This is a good place to stop, because we'll be heading inside next.  Thanks for joining me at the zoo today, as we saw flamingos and penguins.  I hope you enjoyed the journey, and, even if I may not say it enough, I'm thrilled you dropped by.

17 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful photos, it's always fun to visit the zoo. Love the flamingos and penguins, and the sculptures of them. Shame about the netting obscuring the view. I liked the effect of the sharply focused leaves against the unfocused background, beautiful! Have a great Sunday, and thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

I love the shots of the flamingos and the reflections are fabulous. It is so hard to get good shots of animals and birds in zoos with all the netting in the way; but the underwater ones are fun!

chrissie said...

You sure walk some miles the two of you and see such wonders along the way. Usually exotic foods as well lol.

Thank you for sharing the outing

Love Chrissie xx

Rike said...

Thank you for taking us with you through the zoo! Beautiful shots you got from some special animals, for example the penguins under water.

Meggymay said...

Loved the photos of the penguins and flamingos. The sculptures looked amazing as well. Was that perhaps a tree decorated for Christmas in the Zoo entrance, it seems to get earlier each year, Have a good Sunday
Yvonne xx

Gibby Frogett said...

Thanks for sharing your photos it was lovely to see the zoo.
Shame about the netting but good to get the underwater shots.
I too wondered if that was a Christmas tree - it was nice and colourful.
Happy Sunday... Gill x

Sami said...

We have a similar "Penguins of the World" signage at Penguin Island just off the coast of Perth, the home of the tiniest penguin in the sign.
What a pity they had the net around the enclosure, the zoo here has a glass enclosure so you can see the penguins clearly.
The flamingos are so beautiful! Thanks for the visit Elizabeth.

Jeanie said...

Love those wonderful flamingos! A trip to the zoo is truly fun -- thanks for taking us along with you!

jinxxxygirl said...

I did enjoy the visit to the zoo Elizabeth! Thank you! Maybe with their improvements they can put glass for the penguins instead of netting... Hugs! deb

My name is Erika. said...

Penguins are always so much FUN! I wish I lived close enough to a zoo to be able to visit one more. The closest I get is to the New England Aquarium in Boston, which I love to go to. The penguins are popular there too. I can't believe I've known you a year already either. Wow. I can't believe the year has FLOWN so fast. Will be waiting to see what the zoo part 2 brings. :) Hope the weekend was a good one. Hugs-Erika

~*~Patty S said...

Beautiful flamingos with their nice reflections.
I keep saying one day I'll find out where the button is on our camera that helps you focus in front or in back. I know it would be useful but I end up using our camera as just a point and shoot eventho it's like a mini computer with all the features.
You did great.
I had no idea there were that many varieties of penguins...such darling creatures!
oxo

Rita said...

I love your zoo trips!! :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

This really is such a fabulous zoo! I knew that there were different kinds of penguins but didn't know there were so many!! Chrisx

froebelsternchen said...

What a wonderful place to visit - you made amazing photos Elizabeth!
HAPPY NEW WEEK!!!!
oxo Susi

Halle said...

Looks like a lot of fun. My mom has the same walker as Sally...as well as several other gals in her building. Mom put big pink bows on hers to easily identify it. :) When my dad was in the nursing home the therapy gals would always tell him not to forget his "girlfriend" which was his walker. LOL

Divers and Sundry said...

A zoo can be such fun! I liked seeing how they managed the penguin habitat. It's always good to see a zoo put the welfare of the animals first :)

Anonymous said...

Love the turtles, keep the snakes every time, ugggh! xox