Arvin and Tall Friend

We went to the San Diego Zoo today. We were scheduled for a "Behind the Scenes" tour at 1:00 but we got there around 11. So we had a couple of hours to wander which we did. We got to hear the Siamong Gibbons making an amazing racket and watch the Urangutan use a branch to get termites out of a hole. We wandered through a huge aviary and past the area where some of the "animal ambassadors" hang out. We saw a cheetah there and Arvin was delighted as that is the one animal he hoped to see. Finally it was time for our tour. Let me tell you, if you ever have a chance to do this, take it. We had a great time.

First we sat in a small stage area and saw several of the zoo's animals up close. They took everybody's pictures with several different animals. Usually they visit the rhinosorous but today he was recovering from a medical procedure so we went to visit the giraffes instead. Here is Arvin feeding one of them. This gal is pregnant and due soon to deliver a six foot tall baby who weighs around 150 lbs. They do this standing up so the baby has a long drop into life. I took this picture while Arvin was taking his turn feeding the giraffe. We all got a turn.

Next we visited a beautiful zebra. She was my second choice for blip and when I have a moment I'll post a photo of her on Chaikins of Bellingham. Then we went back to the stage area to meet more animals including two clouded leopard cubs who where a kick to watch. They are young so at this point in their training they are pretty free to do what they want. They are on leash so no danger to the audience. They were nutty, cute, beautiful and stole my heart. The last creature to arrive was a 13 year old cheetah, the same one we had seen earlier. We couldn't touch her but we could stand near her while they took our picture. Of course we bought a CD of all the photos they took of us and the animals. It was a wonderful visit and we had a great time.