It was a perfect-zoo-weather day; about 55 degrees and overcast - comfortable for us and the critters. I'm not sure if it was because of the holidays, or maybe the weather was too yucky for around here but there were literally like 15 people at the zoo. It was AWESOME.
Tim decided to give the Kelty backpack a go. He found it to be very comfortable and Makaela seemed to enjoy it. She certainly had a good view of the exhibits and had there been crowds she would have seen over them, standing at 6 feet tall. We still brought the stroller just in case, but didn't end up having to use it.
We thought the zoo was great. It had a nice variety of animals and there were multiple viewing areas for each exhibit. Tim was a little bummed that the black bear exhibit was under construction, but there was plenty more for us to explore.
I wasn't sure Makaela would take notice of the animals, but she REALLY did. They all captured her attention and it was so fun to watch her study them. We definitely lucked out that the animals were very active while we were there.
I think Mr. Giraffe was trying to get some tail if ya know what I mean ;-)
Tim must have been giving off some stronnnnnng alpha male vibes because the lion wanted to destroy him. I'm not joking when I say that the lion spotted Tim as he approached the sidewalk leading to the exhibit and LOCKED EYES on him in a VERY threatening way...and then started pacing (while still staring Tim down) and then went over and stood in front of his woman (while STILL staring Tim down) and then came right up to the glass and showed Tim his teeth (yes, while still staring him down). It was insane, and Tim wasn't even doing anything to tease or entice him!
See even Makaela sensed the tension!! Yikes.
I'd have to put my money on the lion, sorry hubs, but those paws are no joke. Gorgeous animals though, aren't they?
I personally am a sucker for an kind of water critter. I won't even tell you how many pictures I took of this little otter.
Can you see that giant turtle below? That guy was ENORMOUS.
Then there was this fella...he also had beef with Tim.
He spotted Tim from afar, and came over to the fence and started showing us his antlers. And I'm all "Okay big guy, we get it, you're tough." And thennnnn he started marking his territory, and by that I mean spraying pee around spastically. See how his beard looks wet? Yep, it's dripping with urine.
He eventually came all the way up to the fence and stuck his antlers through, at which point I told Tim he better back the eff up, this isn't a petting zoo.
This cutie below is a stork, just like the one that dropped Makaela on our doorstep.
And how frickin precious is this little family? Look closely and you can see a little baby's arm wrapped around his/her mama.
They seemed like such a sweet, loving family - the kind you would want as neighbors because you know they would welcome you to the neighborhood with a basketful of muffins.
Makaela didn't want to leave them. The girl loves monkey, chimps, apes...you name it.
I could have sat and watched these elephants for hours. They were adorable and seemed to like the audience.
These punks were WILD and CRAZY. And loud, very, very loud.
I wouldn't have believed this one was real, had he not eventually walked away...
Makaela had to do a double-take. "Say whhhhat? He's for real?!"
Then we were off to see some exotic birds. The colors were breathtaking...
We also encountered this scary mofo. Black panthers certainly have a presence.
This fox from Australia was hanging with a cool anteater. We liked that the fox had the same color hair as baby Mak.
Next, we found ourselves in the reptile house. It was dark, and there was no one else in there and all I kept thinking was that one of these creepsters was going to get loose and eat us. Me as an appetizer, Tim as the entree and baby Makaela as dessert.
I was happy to get out of there and come across this sweet baby. She was such a gentle giant.
At one point Tim got a little TOO friendly, and was leaning so far in that he practically dropped Makaela into the exhibit. Okay, that is an exaggeration...but it is how my motherly eyes saw it going down.
We truly had a blast at the zoo. Although the picture below shows a tear on Makaela's cheek there was certainly no crying from this little lady. She is a tiny animal lover, for sure. Poor girl still has that lingering stuffy nose and watery eyes, but we like to think the fresh air did her some good :)
