Animal Adventures

We decided to go to the zoo this afternoon. It was a beautiful warm day. We were fortunate to find parking easily despite lots of people being there. We went right inside. We stopped to watch an animal encounter were Marina got an up close look at a scorpion that glows in the dark. We moved on a looked at the water buffalo, rhinos and kangaroos. When we arrived at our favorite restaurant, we stopped for lunch.

This time we decided to stop at the Lorikeet Adventure so Marina could feed the birds. As we entered, some people who were leaving offered us half a cup of nectar. We were grateful to receive it. It took a few minutes, but we found a bird who she could reach to feed. After that one was done, she found one above her head to feed. This one wanted to take the paper cup away from her!

We went through the Asian Animals and Marina was disappointed that the Fishing Cats weren’t on view. We did see the otters napping though.

Marina wanted to go through tropical exhibit this time. We hadn’t gone through that exhibit for a while. Marina enjoyed looking at the various frogs, snakes and fish. She was especially interested in the Komodo Dragons. As we passed the sea lions we heard them barking at each other. We stopped for a while to watch three of them chasing each other around and playing.

We saw that the youngest giraffe was right over next to the new observation deck. So we went for a closer look. We hadn’t seen him that close before! Marina wanted to see some of the big cats before we left, but none were visible. So we decided to go home.

Summer at the Zoo

The weather today was beautiful. So we decided to go to the zoo since we haven’t been in quite a while. The parking lot was crowded but we managed to get a parking space in the garage. We wandered around stopping to see the animals who were out in the sun. We got a good look at the kangaroos, Dall Sheep and found the cheetah hiding in the grass.

We were both thrilled to see the barbecue place we both like was open. So we stopped there for lunch. We both enjoyed the food before going through the rest of the zoo. We looked at all the primates. Marina, of course, wanted to see the tigers. We caught the seals swimming around and then looked at giraffes wandering through their habitat.

Marina was disappointed that the feline house was closed for renovations. But we talked about the renovations over the years that were shown on the signs. After walking through the whole zoo, we went back to the car and spent the rest of the day at home.

All About Animals

Since Marina is on her winter break, I decided to take today off to spend with her. We both slept in and took it easy this morning. After brunch, we decided to go to the Museum of Nature and Science to see two touring exhibits which are leaving soon. When we arrived we found it was very crowded. We managed to find a parking spot at the Zoo and we walked over.

We started off by going through the Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit. There were plenty of people  there, but Marina was still able to try out some of the hands on activities. She helped remove a dinosaur skeleton from the sediment it was encased in, touched real dinosaur bones, helped recreate Pangea and collected six dinosaur stamps through the exhibit. At the end she looked through a screen which showed the skeleton as the dinosaur might have looked.

After we went through that exhibit, we went through the exhibit next door – Nature’s Amazing Machines. This exhibit showed how animals are uniquely adapted to the animal’s behavior. Marina waited in line to try out two different types of wings. We play an activity where strength was tested. By the time we finished with that exhibit, we were ready for a late lunch.

Since the Museum was so crowded, we decided to go to the Zoo for lunch. Unfortunately, it took us a while to find a restaurant that was open. So we were very hungry by the time we finally sat down to eat. Once we finished our lunch, we decided to look around the zoo. The animals were quite active during that time. We saw four young lions chasing each other around, a snow leopard roaring, three sea lions sleeping all snuggled together and a seal swimming around.

We left the zoo before it closed and took a rest in the car. We had tickets to Zoo Lights, so we had a short wait until we could go back in for that. When we saw the line forming we went back into the zoo.

We knew that there would be princesses at Zoo Lights, so we went there first. They weren’t there yet, so we were first in line when Anna and Elsa showed up. After we took photos with them, we picked up hot chocolate and went in to see the lights. When we have gone to Zoo Lights in the past we’ve always seen long lines for the carousel and train. Since the lines were short this time, we decided to do both. It was fun to ride the train through the lights. Then we went to the carousel where Marina was happy to ride a black panther.

We spent the rest of the time looking at all the lights. We took a brief trip through the Asian animals where we saw a sleeping fisher cat. Once we went through all the lights, we were ready to go home. We’d had a fun day but it was a lot of walking!

Zoo Trick or Treat

Ever since Marina was a baby, we have gone to the zoo for their Halloween celebration. We decided to go today. The weather was perfect to be outside.

Marina wore her Yandere Chen costume and I dressed as Daenerys Targaryen. We didn't get started as early as I had hoped, but when we arrived at the zoo we found a parking spot easily. We quickly got into the zoo and Marina started her quest for candy.


We walked from booth to booth collecting candy and other offers. Marina played a few games and tried out some activities along the way. We actually got through the whole zoo very quickly.

After walking through the zoo, Marina wanted to see the "kitties." so we went back and went through the feline house. A tiger was fast asleep right next to the glass. Marina insisted she wanted to hug it.

We found the Pirate cove and decided to wait in line to meet Captain Jack Sparrow and Zarina, the Pirate Fairy. Marina greeted Captain Jack with a hug. Then we made our way to the Fairy Garden, where we were happy to find Tinkerbell, Rosetta and Silvermist. After chatting with them for a few minutes, we explored the rest of the garden.

Marina wanted to visit the bird exhibit. So we took a walk through it. Once we finished that, we decided to head out. The zoo was getting much more crowded and we were tired from all the walking we had done today.

Lego Zoo

The zoo has an exhibition of Lego animals on display which Marina and I have not seen yet. Today the weather was beautiful, so we decided to go after church today.

The parking lot was very crowded but we were fortunate to find one quickly. Inside the zoo we picked up a map for all the Lego displays and some drinks. Our plan was to find all the Legos animals. We started by seeing the giant lion made of Legos near the lion enclosure. We walked over to the Feline House and saw the snow leopard Lego set up outside it.

While we were in the polar exhibit, the sea lion demonstration was going on. So we stayed to watch. A Lego rose and crane were on display in there. We also went through the tropical exhibit . We looked at the fish and Komodo dragons and saw the Lego orchid.

We needed a rest, so we bought some kettle corn and sat down for a little while. Then we took a ride on the carousel. Marina chose the black panther because it reminded her of Jasmine.

The day was hot and we were getting tired, so we looked for the rest of the Legos. We saw a fox and hare, bumblebee, hummingbird and butterfly. We wandered through the bird house and then went into the Elephant Passage to find the last two Legos. There was a dragonfly near the elephants and a lily pad with a koi set up on the water.

By this time, we were hot and very tired. It was time to go home.

Sunday at the Zoo

The weather today was sunny, perfect to be outside. Since we hadn’t been to the Zoo in a long time, we decided to visit.

We had lunch before heading into the zoo. Marina wanted to see the big cats first. We saw a beautiful snow leopard and a maned wolf relaxing in their habitats. When we reached the tigers we saw one pacing around the enclosure. It walked by Marina at the window several times.

We moved on to the polar bears and tropical exhibits. After we looked around there, Marina decided she wanted to ride the carousel. On our way there, we looked spent time in the elephants and birds. 

The line for the carousel was short. Marina picked out a tiger to ride on. Today seemed to be focused on the big cats, so it was perfect for her! Once her ride was over, we were ready to leave. The hot weather had worn us out! 

Spring at the Zoo

We wanted to go to the zoo a few weeks ago, but it was very busy that day, we we changed our plans. Today we anticipated big crowds again, but this time, we left home earlier. It was busy, but at least we were able to find a parking place. Since Marina had been bringing her American Girl doll. McKenna, along so much, she felt it was Julie's turn to join us. Naturally they wore matching dresses.

Marina spent some time looking at the map in the front of the zoo. We picked up a paper copy and Marina pointed out everything she wanted to see. She wanted to see the Tropical Exhibit, so we headed there. Along the way we saw the lions, zebras, hyenas, giraffes and tigers.

The tropical animals were fun to look at. Some of the snakes were pretty active, something you don't see often. Marina also enjoyed looking at the fish and crocodile. We looked in on the sea lions as we headed to lunch. All three of the sea lions were sunning themselves.

After lunch, we started checking out the rest of the zoo. Marina took a seat on a rock and a friendly Canadian goose approached her. I think it was expecting to be fed.

Marina was disappointed that the carousel was being refurbished, but she settled for a ride on the train instead. After our ride, Marina looked on the map and pointed out the lorikeet enclosure. We bought a cup of nectar and Marina went to feed them. She loved it when they drank from her cup.

Next we went into the bird house. In one room we found a bird sitting on the bench and it didn't mind when Marina sat next to it.

After that, we were both really tired and the zoo was even more crowded, so we headed home. But not before getting ice cream!

New at the Zoo

After three attempts, we finally made our first trip to the zoo this summer. Fortunately, Michelle was able to join us. When we arrived, Marina was anxious to see the tigers. On the way to their exhibit, we stopped to see the lions and zebras. Once we arrived at the tigers habitat, we saw two of them sleeping in a corner. We went inside to see if there were more we could look at. While there, we found a baby jaguar and its mother. It was so cute to see them together! From there, we saw the sea lions were very active. We went to the underwater viewing area and saw the sea lions swim past over and over again.

 
Michelle wanted to see the okapi, so we made sure we stopped by their enclosure before heading into the new Asian animals exhibit. It’s been open for nearly two months, but none of us had seen it yet. Marina was immediately drawn to the interactive activities. The centerpiece is the elephants. We saw all four of them – including two who are new to the Zoo! We saw some Gibbons monkeys swinging along their ropes and two sleeping black rhinos as well.

Our next stop was Bird World. The most surprising part of that building was when a mouse came scurrying across the path and nearly bumped into Michelle’s leg!  I was impressed that she didn’t freak out because I probably would have! Marina wanted to ride the carousel, so we headed that direction. She was fortunate to get  one of the two tigers to ride on. They are her favorite animals right now. After her ride, we went through the rest of the zoo fairly quickly. It was a hot day and we were all tired. Michelle wanted to see the kangaroos, so we paid a short visit to them before heading out.

On the way home, we stopped for some ice cream. It was a nice way to wrap up our day.

Spring at the Zoo

Today was a beautiful day - over 80 degrees. So we decided to take a trip to the Zoo. We invited Brian and Emily to join us. And, as she has been all of spring break, Julie came along.

We learned pretty early that the warm weather made the animals sleepy. So we saw lions, cheetahs and mountain goats sleeping. The most lively animals were the brown bears.

After lunch, we went to Feline House where the tigers were playing in the water. You don't see that often. Then we went on to Tropical Discovery to see the snakes and fish. It was really warm, so we stopped for ice cream. That perked her up. We went to Bird World. From there we took a ride on the Carousel before heading out. We were all really tired and sunburned by then.

Take Me to a Zoo ...

Today was unseasonably warm, so Marina and I decided to go to the zoo. Apparently few others had that idea, because it was nearly deserted. But the animals were much more interesting than they are on hot summer days.

We started out looking at the lions. The two males were right by the glass viewing windows. It was so interesting to see the up so close. We were also able to see the African wild dogs and tigers as they lounged near the windows.

We went on to the polar bears. One was very active and even stood up near the window in front of Marina and some other kids. We went inside to view the snakes and fish. Then we watched the sea lions underwater for a while.

We walked through the zoo to get to Bird World. It was almost empty, so the birds were everywhere. One even stood right in front of us, calling to the others.

As the afternoon progressed it got cooler. So we headed home. It had been a really fun day with the animals.

It's A Zoo

It was a beautiful day, so Marina and I decided to go to the zoo. This time, she took her camera with us so she could take pictures of her own. She was particularly excited about seeing the tigers today.

When we arrived, we saw a demonstration about the opossum. First, we heard about them, then one was brought out for the kids to pet. Marina was excited to do that.

It was a hot day, so most of the animals were lying around in the sun (or a bit of shade if they could find it). We saw the lions, wild dogs and hyenas on our way to the tigers. When we arrived at the tiger enclosure, they were resting, as most of the animals were. But all five of them were quite close to the viewing window. Marina was delighted. We watched them for a while and got some great pictures.

The sea lions were splashing around and Marina enjoyed watching the underwater window. We watched some storks for a while and went into Bird World. We watched the hippo for a while. Mostly, we saw the head bobbling in and out of the water. But at one point, the hippo opened her mouth wide and turned over in the water. Seconds later, we saw the feet and belly sticking out of the water. It was so funny!

Marina and I took our usual rides on the train and carousel and she played on the covered wagon for a bit. Then she was ready to head home. Funny, she walked around Disney World for eight days, but didn't want more than half a day at the zoo. Go figure!