Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

Does anyone else remember the tune by Peter, Paul, and Mary that went, "We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you? You can come too, too, too. We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo."? That song has been stuck in my head this past weekend (still is, in fact) ever since we headed off to the Fresno Zoo during our Thanksgiving holiday weekend visit with Hubby's family.

I don't recall having gone to the Fresno Zoo before, so it was a new adventure for me (and Hubby too, I think). It's a smaller sized zoo and those kinds of zoos suit me best. I like to stop and observe the animals for long periods of time. So the less there is to see the more I can feel fine about leisurely standing and watching each animal.

It's also a very well-kept and well-designed zoo that has great enclosures and habitats for the animals that live there. It makes me happy when I see a zoo like this. I don't like the thought that the animals are in captivity in the first place, so if they are in well-designed habitats it makes me feel better and happier for them.

I was surprised that there were at least two walk-through aviaries where we could get buzzed by squawking lorakeets and be almost nose-to-nose with a beautiful cockatoo. To be inside the habitat without barriers between me and the birds was wonderful. I always enjoy walking through large aviaries.

Digitially created art photo by Cindy Iverson
Click the image to view larger

Not surprisingly, I found myself photographing more flowers and greenery than animals. What's the old adage? You can take the gardener/photographer to the zoo, but you can't lead her to the monkeys... wait, wait, wait... You can take the gardener/photographer to the zoo, but you can't take the animal out of the photographer... no? Oh well. You get the picture.