A rare day

I almost did not go to the zoo today. I've been a lot lately and it was cold, but something just drew me in in spite of all that. I didn't take my camera, because I thought there wouldn't be anything new to take pictures of and people on Facebook were probably getting tired of my animal photos.

What a mistake!

I realized it right away when I was looking at the eagles as the keeper came to feed them. I have a video of them making all kinds of racket once before, but today they really put on a show. Hopping down off of their respective tree branches and loping down the slope of their enclosure where they squawked and jumped around until she threw each of them a rat. One eagle garnered both rats, so the keeper threw another one. Both eagles grabbed a rat in one foot and hopped to separate places. This went on for some time before one disappeared from view behind some branches and the other tore into his dinner. These are huge birds who can no longer fly, but they are something to behold.

Many of the animals still on display are much more active in the winter. I noticed they had Pallas cats both in their regular enclosure and in one almost hidden behind the reptile house. The zookeeper said they have now separated the boys and the girls because they are old enough to breed, but soon the kittens will go to other zoos and the two adults will be back together.

Both the otters and the guanacos came running when I approached their pens. Maybe they like to watch us as much as I enjoy watching them?

I went into the Rainforest exhibit reluctantly. It is always hot and most of the animals in there don't really attract me that much, especially since they removed the Macaw. I don't know where he went. The man removing his cage was deaf and couldn't hear me when I asked and the woman in the gift shop said, "He's gone to a better place. I'm not sure where, but I know it's better." When I asked if it was here she said yes, so I am supposing he didn't die, but I can't find him. I am reasonably sure he isn't dead, but her answer was strange for an adult woman.

Today there were new bright yellow birds running around in there and a new duck that attacked my ankles. I looked to see if maybe she had a nest, but I didn't see one. Evidently she is just a mean little duck.

When I got to the reticulated python I was transfixed. I don't know how long he is, but he is huge. I would guess maybe twenty feet long and today he crawled down into his water pond, his long muscles twitching and quivering as sections of him began to move. I think he was hungry and looking for food because he kept smelling around the back door and the door between his enclosure and the birds next door, but it was impressive to watch him moving around, his huge head and body reaching up, climbing over, poking into things.

The snow leopards were separated again. This time both of them on opposite sides of the door meowing and crying for the other. I wonder if they are getting ready to separate them and trying to get them used to the idea. That is a sad thought, because they are usually all cuddled up together in a corner somewhere.

And the tiger! I wondered if he ever played, if that bowling ball in there with what looks like tooth marks in it was ever really used? There is also a big plastic oil barrel hanging from a heavy chain in his cage and today he played with it while I watched in amazement. Banging into it with his head like a sledgehammer, the sound reverberating off the walls, then leaping up and grabbing around it with his big front legs and sharp claws. Tigers at play are fearsome looking creatures.

Today would have been the day to take videos, but with no camera I just had to be present and stand in awe of all the things I saw them doing.