It's a zoo out there!

Some of you may remember I said I would share the rest of my zoo photos, and I finally saved my favorites. 

Some got tossed that might have been better, but I had to make a decision, and I couldn't show all 127 that were left after I removed the ones I showed of the elephants.

I realize Sally was here to see the elephants, but

my first love are the giraffes.  First there was one,

then two,

then three,

and finally one that stopped by to visit.

I swear this one

took a special interest in me

before getting bored

and moving on to meet up

with the other three.

Next up was the Black Rhino.

This time I wasn't on the tram, so was able to get better 

and closer

photos.

Yes, I got a bit carried away here, too.

The term "so ugly it is cute" is appropriate here.

Next it was off to see the hippo.  Sally stayed up top (she's to the middle right in the photo above), while I tried to find it below.  I should have stayed with her because she said she got some lovely shots, while all I got were photos of kids and more kids!

I deleted several photos in this area, but I really wanted to show these white birds that kept popping up.  After a bit of photographing them, they flew away. No, I have NO idea what kind of bird they are.

I also have no idea what kind of hog this is, either,

but I know it is originally from Africa and they jump easily, as the one that had been in the river did.

The beautiful zebras

were in a playful mood.

If you were here the day we took the tram (my birthday), I said I thought this vehicle was part of the Africa exhibit, also called Pride of the Plains.

One lion was sitting on a rock

She was alerted by the sounds the children made.

She is gorgeous, but I know Bleubeard and Squiggles would not want me bringing her home.

Next it was off to see Sally's favorite, the meerkat, which lives in South Africa, Botswana,  Namibia, and Angola.  

A group of meerkats are called a mob or clan.

This mob was quick and hard to photograph.

More lions.  These were sleeping and putting on a show for the crowds.

They didn't seem to be bothered by all the noise and commotion going on around them.

Then it was off to see the elephants, which I showed last week.

Fast forward nearly three hours from the time we started this trek, I could sense that Sally was getting tired.  I asked if she wanted to sit for a few minutes.  She said as soon as we found some shade, she was ready to get off her feet.  I was SO proud of her.  No whining, no wanting to quit, but finally a bit of a rest was in order.  And what could be a more perfect place to stop?  I was in heaven.

Sitting on the bench, I put my zoom to work.  Look at those eyelashes!

I know, I know.  I got a bit carried away, but we sat about 15 minutes, and I don't sit well without some distraction.  And this could not have been a better distraction if I had chosen it myself.

After we left the zoo, Sally was still in high spirits, and we went out to eat.  I'll take you there for T on Tuesday.

Thanks for visiting today while I share the rest of the zoo photos that didn't include the new elephants.  I'm so glad you could join me for this look at some of the zoo animals we don't see on the tram.  This was a fun excursion for me too, because other than the beautiful giraffes, rhino, and zebras, I have never seen many of these animals before.