Monday, February 09, 2009

the zoo in winter

I realized yesterday that even though I've been to the Detroit Zoo several times, it's always been in winter. I did go in late March once, but most of the animals were still gone to warmer climes. Because of this, there are lots and lots of animals "at the zoo" that I've never seen.

That's ok, I still get some great pictures. Also, it feels really good going into the hot, humid butterfly house, where I see things like this:




The butterflies were being very photo-cooperative (photoperative) for me. Most of the birds were not, but this tiny duck was. He was adorable.


And of course I saw penguins.


I took lots of pictures of them, but they're all kind of the same. The penguins weren't very active.

There was an evil squirrel.


I want to be a river otter. They always look like they're having a super happy fun time.


The big cats were there. I couldn't tell how they felt about the snow. I'm pretty sure they would have been doing the same thing no matter what.



A new addition to the Detroit Zoo is the meerkat exhibition. Meerkats are adorable and awesome. This was the first time I'd ever seen them in real life. I tried to get video of them digging, but that didn't work out. So I got lots of stills.



I honestly didn't see the zebra at first. They are really good camouflagers, even in the snow.


Apparently kangaroos don't like snow, so they get stranded on their own little islands.



The bald eagles were nice enough to pose for me.


Know what else are cute? Snow foxes.


The polar bear was very pacey.


And finally, here's me in the underwater display.



I took a ton more pictures, but there is no room for them here. If you want to see them, check out my flickr.


(as always, click on the pictures to make them larger.)

4 comments:

mdog said...

black squirrels! i don't see black squirrels anymore down here. just the grayish brown ones.

i heart the now-word "photoperative" and hope to use it often.

i also heart your coat.

super des said...

Yeah, the squirrels outside my apartment are grey. And I agree, it will be a useful word. As for the coat, I got it years ago on clearance. :)

LittlePea said...

Yeah! I like that coat too.

For some reason in the winter my zoo moves the big cats and warm climate animals to Tampa. Or at least they used to I don't know if they still do that now that they've expanded---life in a small town. Um I was wondering? Were there any elephants? I heart elephants.

I've never seen a black squirrel before.

super des said...

The elephants were away for the winter, like all the monkeys, etc.

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