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.