Thursday, October 27, 2016

Take me to the zoo (part 4)

Part 1 of the zoo photos is here, part 2 is here, and part 3 is here.

We're back outside again, and headed to the area of the grisly bear, another area we've never seen before, either walking or on the tram.

The grisly looks really ferocious, at least in the picture.

Sally was sure we would never see a grisly, but I kept looking, regardless.  Not here, though.

Whoever was responsible for this set of sculptures

was a fantastic artist.  Apparently a LOT of people contributed to this one.

Shooting through glass was a bad idea, especially since it was so dirty.

I immediately spotted the bear

which I had to point our to Sally.

I felt sorry for him because he looked so lonely

and hot.

We walked on and ran into this fenced in area where

upon closer inspection,

we found the wild turkey, which is apparently an American icon.

Next we stopped to take photos of this poor (I THINK) hedgehog. 

Again, a lone animal with no mate and confined behind dirty glass.

Somehow I don't understand how this rattler got mixed in with this display, but there it was in a glassed in area all by itself.

This was our newest "exhibit" at the zoo.

I had to point it out to Sally.

In case you can't tell, it's our national bird, the American Bald Eagle.

Again, only one.

Although quite beautiful, I can't understand why zoos don't get pairs of animals.  After all, Noah did!

I apologize, but I have no idea what these animals are.

I tried to get a closer look, but they were behind glass.

One really nice thing was

there were three of them.

Next we crossed a bridge and saw koi and ducks

all fighting for 

the fish food

we bought

and threw to them.

Even though the sign for food read "for fish only," the ducks were far quicker than the fish.

Next we walked over a large bridge.

It was quite long and near a beautiful stretch of water.



Again, I have no idea what this animal is, but it was under the bridge.

Apparently, that is where it lived.

Now I know why the high (and long) bridge was there.

Apparently buffalo need a large area in which to roam.

They certainly weren't afraid of me, as they came very near where I stood on the high bridge overhead.

That's it for today.  Today I went grocery shopping again (seems like I've done that a lot lately), but I have friends coming this weekend, so grocery shopping is the easy part.  The hard part is cleaning and sorting and recycling.  I don't see much art in my future, but I do see the last of the zoo photos showing up on my blog tomorrow!

Thanks for joining me today.  I apologize if I haven't been around, but I still have so much to catch up on, and putting my veggie garden to bed will have to wait, especially since it rained and rained and rained last night and today.  Again, your visits mean the world to me.

14 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

I guess some of the animals are kept alone because they fight but it seems very sad that they have to live alone... good luck with your sorting for the weekend, it will be worth it!

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely animals, you really saw a lot, but like you, I don't understand why some animals/birds are kept on their own, that's hard. I want to visit one of the zoos near here one day, but they are always very expensive. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

Interesting photographs again with lots to ponder over. The more we look at places like zoos the more we wonder why we keep animals in this type of place I think. Must admit I like zoos and believe it when they say they are doing breeding programmes etc.

Thank you for sharing more of your zoo experience

Love Chrissie xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I loved this visit around the indigenous animals of the USA! Wild turkeys have always fascinated me as have the eagles! I can't believe that I can help you out here but the deer with the white behind is a white tailed deer! My ex used to do field archery and so did I for a while based on 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' A lot of the images used for targets were American and being me I had to find out what they were! The other deer are possibly mule deer although the drawings had bigger ears than these so probably not! The bison, rather oddly were one of my eldest son's obsessions (still is I think) Looking forward to seeing more! Have fun with your guests! Hugs, Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I loved this visit around the indigenous animals of the USA! Wild turkeys have always fascinated me as have the eagles! I can't believe that I can help you out here but the deer with the white behind is a white tailed deer! My ex used to do field archery and so did I for a while based on 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' A lot of the images used for targets were American and being me I had to find out what they were! The other deer are possibly mule deer although the drawings had bigger ears than these so probably not! The bison, rather oddly were one of my eldest son's obsessions (still is I think) Looking forward to seeing more! Have fun with your guests! Hugs, Chrisx

My name is Erika. said...

Great photos Elizabeth. OK, let me put on my biology hat. The lone animal under the bridge was an American antelope, which is found on the open plains. And I am curious about your bear photos. The bear behind the glass looks like the grizzly bear but the other lonely looking bear looks like a black bear. Grizzly's have humps behind their heads on their necks, which your lone bear doesn't look like it has. We also have black bears here and I see them occasionally. Grizzly's have those humps because they originally evolved on the plains and used to dig for their food. That created those big muscular humps. I love seeing all the animals though. I looks like you have a really nice zoo in Wichita. :) Hugs-Erika

jinxxxygirl said...

I agree with you on having the animals at least in pairs... But some animals do prefer a solitary life except during mating season... Gorgeous photos... Hugs! deb

Sami said...

Those bears looked very sad and lonely. The bison are really huge and scary.
Enjoy your visitors over the weekend.

Jeanie said...

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for coming by and leaving such nice words on the Marmelade Gypsy about the fall decorating season. I know what you mean about not doing what you used to. We all go through phases on that and life and other interests get in the way. Right now all I have is time, so it makes it a little easier!

Your zoo visits are such fun. I like that animal that looks like a member of the deer/antelope family.

sheila 77 said...

Some zoos seem to manage the animals better than others. It's heart-breaking to see the animals look so sad and awful if they are lonely. Again thanks for the photos from the zoo, it's good to share your trip with us.

froebelsternchen said...

Wonderful photos ! I am very impressed with the bear!
Sorry that some of them are separated!
Great that you took us with you to that super zoo! Thank you for sharing all the pics!
Have fun with your visitors Elizabeth!
oxo Susi

Meggymay said...

Super photos and the bear did look quite sad. We know how humans feel to be separated from others, why do we keep animals apart.
Loved the sculptures and the American Eagle shots were fantastic.
Have a good weekend with your visitors.
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

I thin it is sad to see animals caged up all alone, too. :(

Divers and Sundry said...

I love bears! And that boardwalk gives a great viewing position. I'd enjoy that, I know :)