A day at the zoo

On Friday, my friend Sally and I went to the zoo.  I used the time to help get Sally's mind off the events that have turned her into a crying zombie since the election. 

She wanted to stop at the flamingos again, since they are the first exhibit at the zoo.

Originally, I decided if I had taken shots of zoo wildlife before, I would not do so again.

But I was soon mesmerized

and caught an X rated photo.

Seems as soon as it started, it was over and the male walked away like nothing had happened.   I promise not to comment on that.

Again, I wasn't going to take photos of any animal I had photographed before, but 

who can resist the darling giraffes?   I think they are more adorable than the elephants that have taken center stage at our zoo.

You can pay a certain amount (I think it's $3.00 USD) to feed the giraffes.  It was feeding time, but the giraffes weren't rushing over to be fed.

We had never been to the African Veldt, so it was off to visit this area.  Sally told me it was where they keep the animals if they are inside, but of course, the giraffes were out, so we didn't expect to see much inside.

Lots going on in the African section of the zoo now.

I had seen one black rhino before, but never two.

 

I soon learned why.

How fascinating, and seeing the two together (up close) was a real treat.

Outside again, I tried to get a photo of the gorillas hanging from the trees.  

I couldn't help taking one final photo of the giraffes before we left the area.

Next it was off the see the hippo.

Yes, it's a lousy shot,  but I was trying to get a moving animal behind a wall and in water.

I'm not sure the woman got a much better photo than I did.

This sculpture had been moved because the hippo exhibit is also moving.  So is the rhino exhibit.  They will take over the area where our (previously only two) elephants lived.

I'm fairly certain I've never seen the bongo before.  According to the sign (which you may have to enlarge to read) it originated in the Congo.

Yes, I've shown photos of our zebras before, but they also fascinate me.

As I was taking their photo,

something stirred in the background.

I didn't see any signs, so I'm not much help, but I've seen this animal before here at the zoo.

I also don't remember which cat this is, because I never saw a sign.

Just a shy sleeping striped cat.

I don't need a sign to know these little gems.

The last time we visited, the meercats sat still and posed.  This time, they were running around like crazy.

I was lucky to get even a few decent shots.

But this is the reason we went to the zoo on Friday.  Sally, a zoo member, read in her newsletter that there was a new baby gorilla at the zoo.

These looked

like they had been crossed with a skunk.

If only I didn't have to shoot through a wire fence.

As we crossed a bridge, I stopped and took these two photos for Valerie, who has a love for any bird or fowl.

We finally made it to the gorillas.  These sculptures are fabulous.

As we went inside (before you ask, I have no idea what those hanging things are),

I saw a lone gorilla in the distance.

I took dozens of photos, none of which were any good.  Dirty windows and glare from the lighting made it nearly impossible to get a decent shot.

I finally got one decent one, but I thought s/he looked very sad.

Next it was off to see the Okapi.   It also comes from the Congo.  A few storks shared the area.

I was so fascinated by its markings, I followed it for quite some time.

Then it was time to leave the Gorilla Forest Reserve.

As we walked out, my heart skipped a beat (or two).

If you are new to my blog, I have a "thing" for rust.  Please note.  I didn't watermark this photo, so feel free to use it in your art.  It would certainly make me happy if you did!

Our final stop was at the Tiger Trek.

Sally and I have passed this area before, but never stopped.   This day was different.

This was a popular sculpture and I had to wait until the children were finished hugging and petting it.

I'm not sure I'd want my child doing that, just in case the tiger ever got loose.

At first I didn't see it.  In fact, I was just about ready to leave when it popped its head up.

I managed two shots,

then it became a predictable cat

and turned its back on me!

While Sally visited the facility, I watched her "stroller."  It gave me time to peruse the various signage.

We have a red panda?  Well, I've never seen it.

Either our Burmese brow-antlered deer is quite young, or a female, because there are no long antlers as depicted in the drawings.

As we were about to leave the area, the leopard caught Sally's eye, so I

quickly snapped two photos.

As we prepared to leave, I had to take one final shot of the zebras.  I can't remember being so close to them before.

Finally, as we left the zoo, this statue caught my eye. It had not been here when we arrived about four hours before.  I remember getting information about these white plaster "Keeper of the Plains" statues last year.  They are similar to the "Cows" that appear in different cities around the world.  Artists in the city are allowed to apply for one.  The artists are juried, AND must pay around $1000.00 (USD) and can decorate them any way they choose.  This artist apparently chose to paint this one.  If I understood it correctly, the artist is allowed to get a sponsor to help defray the cost of the plaster cast.  There were only a certain number cast, and this is the first one I've seen.  Now that I've seen one, I'll be looking for more.

Thanks for joining me at the zoo.  It certainly lifted Sally's spirits.  This is my offering for AEDM today because it took over seven hours to sort through the photos, mark them, and load them onto this blog.  My computer is old and slow, and my internet is even slower, so I was lucky to get them all loaded tonight.

This is Day 13 of AEDM.  Thanks again for sticking with me this long.