Thursday, February 2, 2012

Turtle at the Zoo

The weather has been so gorgeous this past week and I was itching to be outside, so yesterday I grabbed my camera and spent the morning at the Phoenix Zoo.


You cross a bridge to get to the entrance, and usually there are turtles sunning themselves on these boards. This day it was just ducks in a row.

I'll spare you the names of each of the species because, quite frankly, I don't remember, but this is some kind of vulture:

 How do I hate rodents so much, but love these little prairie dogs so much?

Doug says these are golden eagles:

Mexican wolf...

Breakfast time...

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...  {I wasn't real crazy about the way he was looking at me!}

Stinky number one:

Just some desert vegetation...

Monkeys are always my favorite, but these guys were boring:

Cool:

You can ride a camel if you want {been there, done that...}

This was a cool exhibit! You have to go through two doors to get into this area, and there are a total of 16 squirrel monkeys in the trees and on the ropes above and around you. I chatted with a zoo volunteer who told me that beads on their necks identify them (by name) to the zoo keepers. She had a spray bottle hanging off her belt that was to be used to squirt the monkeys in the event they come close to the zoo guests.
 It was so cool to be so close to them!

Ok, so I come out of the squirrel monkey exhibit and this gigantic bird comes flying over my head and lands on this dude's arm. Whoa! Cool! It's a king vulture and it was flying in a loop - going from the zoo keeper's arm, out and around the lake, and then back again. Of course, once I had my camera ready do you think he'd fly that loop again? Nope.

Desperate for a grandchild, I borrowed these for this photo. {yes, I asked their grown up first}

A random peacock just walking around...

Stinky number two:

And then there was this guy - a gorgeous jaguar who by nature is a ridiculous runner - all cooped up in this cage. :o( It made me sad, but I was pretty excited to be so close to this amazing creature.

eeeeeow!

Hello, friend... {with a really screwed up eye}

 Homosapiens - the most vile and disgusting creatures in the zoo {juuuust kidding!}

And speaking of disgusting... There are only two places I ever eat hotdogs - a baseball game, and the zoo. I had a hotdog for lunch and it was really yummy!!!

This was my view while I ate lunch:

After all those photos there's really no need for you to visit the Phoenix Zoo
unless you want a lovely walk in a beautiful setting with some gorgeous sunshine.
{And please take me with you if you go!}

18 comments:

traci said...

nothing like a day at the zoo. i have been to that zoo i think. love the photos of the jaguar and the tiger. they are so pretty even if the are a bit intimidating.

Cheri said...

Having accompanied you on your photo safari, I feel no need to visit the actual location. Outside in the sunshine is good, but I'd rather go to the beach!

Sian said...

I'd be right there for the sunshine - whenever we go to the zoo here it rains! A really lovely set of pictures Deb (I don't like vultures, but that is one cool vulture picture)

Alison said...

Great pics Deb...particularly love the giraffe one! I haven't been to a zoo in yonks...would love to come visit yours!!
Alison xxovolp

Rhona said...

I'd love to come and walk round the zoo with you :o) - haven't been to one since we left South Africa 21 years ago. Great photos too!xx

Gail said...

Looks like you had a super day - definitely not zoo going weather here right now. (: Wow - the size of the jaguar's mouth!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

Geez - Look at the size of that jaguar's mouth! yikes! I haven't been to the zoo in a few years, but I think you may have spurred me into a visit with the kiddos... have a great day!

Irene said...

Looks like the Houston and San Antonio Zoo. Could also be the same animals. LOL

Unknown said...

I love that picture of the yawning jaguar! Glad that you had a good day at the zoo. :)

Beverly said...

You should come visit the NC Zoo with me! And we are having the most glorious weather, low 70s but the next ten days look like upper 50s ughh I love the tiger and jagaur but I am very much a cat person :)

Amanda said...

What an amazing photo of the jaguar thanks for the tour.

Becky said...

Looks like a good day! We went to London Zoo back in October - the first time we had been to the zoo in about 10 years! I had a great time too :)

Mom said...

Love this zoo! Lots of happy memories with the grandkids there! Maybe March????? Great pictures, Sweetie! Love you! xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous day you must have had. I think a day at the zoo is on the cards in the summer for me and my girl!

Amy said...

Sometimes Homosapiens ARE the most vile and disgusting creatures at the zoo ... especially little ones who are probably too young to walk around a hot zoo for hours ... just saying! ;-) From personal experience and all!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love the jaguar photos! So cool. And the spider monkeys are really cute. I laughed about the hot dogs - I eat them at sporting events, too (and no where else).
Rinda

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

Some great shots. I'm not a huge fan of zoos, but I do like visiting our local safari park where the big cats have room to roam :o)

Anonymous said...

Well, I would just love a walk in the Phoenix Zoo with you. Along with the animals I'd enjoy the warm temperatures and the sunny skies!

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