Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Hippopotamus

Hippos are the animals that attracted my wife and me to the Toledo Zoo in 2000. At the time, there were four: Bubbles, Cupid, Emma, and Herbie. Cupid and Bubbles had several offspring during their long lives. Cupid and Emma produced Herbie. In 2000, Herbie was just a pup, and he and his mom would do laps around the Hippoquarium and perform barrel rolls as they passed the viewing glass. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera then. These days, Emma and Herbie do a lot of sleeping.



A hippo looks around a tree at the camera with one foot in the air.
Walking from the hippo house to the pool. This photo is from 2008 and could be of Bubbles, Emma, or Herbie.
A hippo lies on its right side with mouth partly open.
My notes say Emma, but I'm not so sure.
The hippo's eyes and nostrils are visible above the water.
Bubbles, Emma, or Herbie
Herbie opens his mouth to let water fall into it.
Hippos like water sprayed into their mouths. Here, Herbie takes advantage of a waterfall.
An underwater close-up of Herbie's snout with fighting teeth visible.
Herbie shows off his smile.
An underwater, profile view of a hippo's rear end with legs trailing behind.
Emma or Herbie rocks a ballet move.
Herbie's head is out of the water with mouth open upward. His mouth is pink inside, and teeth are visible.
Herbie awaits a treat from above.
The young hippo's nostrils, eyes, and ears are visible above the water.
The world-famous Fiona, of Cincinnati

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Wild at the zoo

In addition to exhibited animals, zoos have uninvited guests. All photos are from the Columbus Zoo except as noted.


fox squirrel (Toledo Zoo)

Ma or Pa goose supervises the kids (2018).

Canada gosling (2019)

A great blue heron in the trumpeter swan pond

A gull, species unknown, in the parking lot

A bee flies to its next flower.

A butterfly? A moth?