2020 part 3

New Hampshire chicken (Columbus Zoo, October 10)

Finally! Someone whose ears are hairier than mine. (Columbus Zoo, October 22)

This is Lucas, an African elephant, walking away from his mother, Renee, who tried to take away his browse. He went through a gap in the fencing to another part of the enclosure and Renee could not follow. (Toledo Zoo, October 24)

northern ground hornbill (Columbus Zoo, November 2)

A young red panda (Columbus Zoo, November 2)

Aurora in her enclosure (Columbus Zoo, December 2)

bald eagle (Columbus Zoo, December 2)

wolverine (Columbus Zoo, December 16). There was a spin on the platform, so this is probably Guillotine.

female rose-breasted grosbeak (Columbus Zoo, December 16)

San Esteban chuckwalla (Columbus Zoo, December 28)

2020 part 2

More from 2020.

male mallard (Whetstone Park, June 1). For some reason, there was a large gap between zoo visits, so I filled-in with a park visit.

brown bear (Minnesota Zoo, August 14)

black-tailed prairie dog (Minnesota Zoo, August 14). Like this prairie dog, my backyard chipmunks and ground hogs often have flying bugs on them. Is it because living underground leaves something interesting on their fur?

puma (Columbus Zoo, August 24)

Clover, as seen under Hermie (Columbus Zoo, August 24)

(Akron Zoo, September 11)

Pesquet's parrot (Toledo Zoo, September 26)

Bourke's parakeet (Toledo Zoo, Septermber 26). This is the species that was interested in my shoe.

2020 part 1

Here are photos I want to show you here at the end of 2020. Some are favorites, some are good, some are interesting, and some are included for variety. I didn't crop any of these, which means I framed the subjects decently, and that doesn't always happen!

Pacific sea nettle (Toledo Zoo, January 4). I think the 3-D effect is related to the blue background.

gouramy (Toledo Zoo, January 4)

crested coua (Toledo Zoo, January 4)

Borealis (looking at you) and Crystal (Toledo Zoo, January 18). The boy turned two this month, and I have pictures of the him nursing in September; that duration of nursing is apparently normal. Crystal and mate Marty have produced a number of offspring.

 

The famous Hippo Heads. These were part of an arch at the entrance to Tembo Trail, which leads to the Hippoquarium™ at the Toledo Zoo. January 18

The Toledo Zoo hosts an annual orchid show. February 22.

axolotl (Columbus Zoo, February 24). I was lucky to get a picture of these two. They're almost always hidden when I visit.

red-tailed rat snake (Columbus Zoo, February 24)

A boy and his puzzle box

Kulu, who reached age one November 28, was working on his puzzle box when I visited December 2.

I want the ball, but not that ball.

There's a ball in there.

My red ball.

Lemme think about this.

I see it! It's right there!

Nooo, Mom [Aurora], I don't need your help. I'm not a baby.

It would be embarrassing if my head got stuck. I'd have to call Mom.

Time for a break.

 

Back to it.

The red ball was still in the box and Kulu had moved on when I left the exhibit.

A lion's roar?

 Roary, of the Columbus Zoo, lived up to his name.

 

Or did he?

The next time you yawn, see if you don't do the same thing. Eyes close, mouth opens, fangs show, head tilts back...