Thursday, January 12, 2012

Zoo Post

No stitching at all in this post, so if that's all you're looking for, feel free to move along to the next blog in your reader!  I had an appointment this morning at the Naval Medical Center at Balboa (my first follow-up with an opthamologist since I moved, for my Thygeson's Keratitis), so I decided to drop by the zoo since its only another mile down the road.

First up was a really interesting plant.  Nope, no photo effects, that really is a bright red "pine cone" in the middle of what looks like fern fronds.  Of course I wasn't smart enough to snap a pic of the label saying what it is.

Next up was a slightly unexpected encounter with the Bactrian (2 hump) camels.  It seems the boy (go figure) was being stubborn and wouldn't go where the keepers wanted him to.  He's in rut right now.

The poor female had a bite wound on her rump (from guess who) and it needed treated.

Next up were some really soft and cuddly sweeties, or at least that's what they look like.  They actually have some pretty vicious looking claws.

This little guy was just snuggled up on his branch taking a nap.

The next picture-worthy animal was Umngani.  She's known for being very photogenic, having the longest tusks, and also being the messiest elephant in the herd.  She was certainly photogenic today, posing right up at the fence so everyone could admire her.

Unfortunately the Zoo is mourning the loss of 2 elderly elephants that had to be euthanized within the last week, Cha Cha and Cookie.  Cookie was 56 and had been suffering from geriatric issues for a while, and on high level of pain medication.  It got to the point where it was just more humane to send her to her next life.  Cha Cha was 43 and had undergone emergency gastric surgery on Christmas Day, and had never recovered.

The 2 lions were hiding on the far side of their enclosure, but both the male and female jaguars were out for viewing.  The male is supposed to be a real people person, and his keeper said he'd come right up to the fence to have his head scratched.

The keeper didn't have such complimentary things to say about the female.  She seems to be a conniving witch that is watching for someone to make a mistake so she can kill them.  The keepers are definitely careful around her.  They're hoping for some jaguar babies soon, with a better outcome than the last litter.  It seems the female is still learning how to be a mother.  She carried the litter to full term, birthed them, cared for them for 2 days, then ate them.  Yep, that's right, sorry I grossed you out, but that's nature, the good and the bad.

I caught the polar bears just seconds before they went inside for their lunch.  No, that isn't a brown bear, its just a very, very dirty polar bear that had been rolling in the dirt all morning.

At the panda enclosure both mom and the 2 year old baby were out.  You saw pictures of mom last time, so  here's a picture of  Yun Zi, eating some lunch.  He's getting pretty big and not really looking like a baby anymore.

On my way out I walked right by a peacock eating his lunch.  I know peacocks are stunning, but this one was really beautiful.  I don't think I've ever seen one with such a bright and iridescent blue head and neck.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope I didn't bore you (or gross you out) with animal pictures.  I promise the next post will be stitching.  I'm madly trying to finish up a birthday gift for my mother before she and dad get back from their camping trip.  Right now I need to play with Annie a bit.  She's being very vocal and letting me know I owe her some attention for leaving her alone all morning.

17 comments:

sana said...

Wonderful zoo! I yet have not really watched a panda and a koala.

Nicola said...

I have really enjoyed reading and looking at the photos in your post. Whilst I greatly enjoy stitching posts it is very nice to see life around the world and to chat about what we do. Thank you for sharing xxx

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing your zoo pictures. That jaguar is stunning, even if she isn't up for Mum of the Year award anytime soon

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Great photos:)Those pine cones are stunning.

cucki said...

more beautiful pictures of the sweet zoo...i love watching them so much..
keep well and have a lovely weekend..
hugs cucki xx

Siobhán said...

Wonderful photos! I don't think I've ever seen two... humped?... camels. Two bumped? I don't know. You know what I mean. ;) LOL

Chris said...

Wonderful pics Mindi.

Margaret said...

I enjoyed your pictures of the zoo. Like I said before, I love zoos and miss going to them. It's also interesting to hear the stories behind the animals. :D Mean old male camel.....

Shari said...

oh my!!!!! I wish I could have gone to the zoo with you......you got some wonderful photos...
the koalas are my all time favorite....so much so that my dad just stitched a koala picture for me....(it is on my blog)
thanks for sharing your beauty with us!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

So liked seeing all the animals. That peacock is spectacular! I'd love to stitch him!! LOL.
Not only is it fun seeing pictures of the animals, but your weather looks great too!
Linda

dixiesamplar said...

Great zoo photos...and that peacock is gorgeous! Jaguars are my favorite animals, so I especially love the snaps of them. Sounds like a wonderfully relaxing trip.

Terri said...

I love zoos and haven't been able to get to any in recent years. Thanks for showing me yours!! I loved the pictures!!

blue star stitcher said...

Your zoo pictures turn out way better than mine ever do. Our zoo lets the peacocks wander, and it's so fun finding them while walking around.

Theresa said...

How wonderful~~~ The zoo is never boring!!!!!

Myra said...

Wonderful pictures Mindi and I enjoyed getting to "know" these animals.

valerie said...

Great photos! Thanks for sharing. The peacock is stunning. I've never managed to get to the SD Zoo but I've always heard it's fantastic!

geeky Heather said...

Omigosh! I have Thygeson's, too! I've never known anyone else that had it (or even knew what it was)! Most optometrists and some opthamologists don't even know what it is! Mine's in remission, though, and has been for several years.

I love the zoo pictures! I wish we had koalas here in Atlanta. But our red pandas (and b/w pandas!) are very cute.