Close Encounters

Today's visit to the zoo was so great!  We got to see lots of the animals really close up.  We were there for our monthly meetup tour with our play group, and it was so nice to see all the excitement on the kids' faces.  We went down the Tiger Trail, past some monkeys, our favorite turtle and crocodile exhibit, and the big tapirs.

When we got to the tigers, we were pleasantly surprised to find all three of them in an area of the exhibit we've never seen them in before.  There's water right there, and a little den-like area for them to relax in.  But if they want to get up and stretch their legs, the only place is right against the glass.  There were two pacing back and forth when we first got there, and one laying in the den.

Eliza getting a closer look

pretending to pet him

The kids were all able to get up to the glass and see the beautiful tigers like never before.

Then we went down to the hippo pond.  Adhama (the baby) and his mommy were also over to a side we don't normally catch them in.  Adhama was playing with a piece of wood, bobbing up and down in the water. We watched them there for quite a while.

Audrey and Jasper

At the end of our group tour, the kids all listened to a story with hidden hippos on every page.  They picked out some other animals that were camouflaged in some other pictures provided by the keepers too.

After our tour, we walked around with friends and checked out a few more exhibits before heading out.  The brand new Amur Leopards were in the very back of the exhibit, but at least we know where they are and can check them out again - there are only about 35 in the world!

The Komodo Dragon was just hanging out by the glass for us to see as well.  This big one is outside of the reptile house, but Eliza was anxious to go inside and check on the baby one.  It is getting pretty big.

We walked all around the reptile house - the girls love finding the reptile in each little window.

Then we went through part of the Children's Zoo where these little buggies can be found!  We ate some lunch while watching the otter, then headed towards the exit.