Great Horned Owl

We took a field trip to the zoo this afternoon...to see a Great Horned Owl!

(It was difficult to get photos without the cage visible in front of the owl!)

Check out those talons!

We learned....

We saw many other birds.

Most of the animals were very "social" for a change!  As soon as we walked up to the glass, this alligator entered the water and swam over to us.

He "visited" with us for quite a while!

This orangutan was sitting at the glass, waiting for us!

We took a break from looking at the animals for some photo opportunities.  :)

Then, back to watching the animals.

Next, into the reptile house.

The small petting area had some farm animals.

We cooled off in the gift shop while we browsed.  We purchased this stuffed Great Horned Owl for T.  When squeezed in the middle, it says "Who-whoo, whoo-whoo.  Who-whoo, whoo-whoo."

This little booklet of information was attached to it.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls are the heaviest owls in North America and are found throughout much of the United States, even living near people.  They live in forest or field edges and are generally nocturnal.  Weighing an average of three pounds, they are strong for their size and capable of hunting prey larger than themselves.  Skunks, rabbits, snakes, and even cats are preyed upon by Great Horned Owls.

After leaving the zoo, T wanted to play at the nearby park...so we obliged!

Linked to:
   Field Trip Friday

M is for Monkey

This was T's lunch for today...reminiscent of our recent trips to the zoo for his birthday.

• two monkey-shaped sandwiches (one made with the crust...and holding a banana-shaped candy)
• green vine (pull-apart Twizzlers)
• "M" and "MONKEY" Scrabble Junior Cheez-It Crackers
• pretzel balls in a paper liner with a monkey design and a monkey pick
• homemade banana pudding — the kind where the custard is made from scratch in a double-boiler  :P
• milk in a cup with a monkey design

T came into the kitchen while I was preparing this lunch.  He pointed to the Cheez-It Crackers and asked, "What say?"  I held up the monkey-shaped cookie cutter and replied, "/m/" as I moved my finger from left to right below the letters.  He exclaimed, "Zoo!"  Okay...so he made a connection, right??  (~Not the one I was hoping for, obviously!)  ;o)

Linked to:
   What's for Lunch Wednesday
   Fun Food Friday

Coral Reef

For lunch today, T enjoyed another bento with a coral reef theme.

His lunch consisted of:

• two angelfish-shaped sandwiches (each with a candy eye)
• puffed goldfish crackers
• "CORAL REEF" Scrabble Junior Cheez-It Crackers
• peach yogurt (in a small blue bowl with a waves design)
• Little Debbie coral reef cake
• milk (in a shaky cup with a blue and green fishes design)

There's also a coral-colored shell ring next to the sandwiches.

I was thrilled to discover a tank displaying a coral reef at the Riverbanks Zoo!

This was printed on a sign posted next to the tank:

What is Coral?

Corals look like plants or rocks,
but they are colonies of tiny animals.
Up close, each "polyp" looks like a
sea anemone, with a sac-like body
and mouth ringed with tentacles.
Polyps feed on tiny prey that drifts
into their stinging arms.

There were other signs posted, too.

Hard corals secrete stony skeletons
in many different shapes and sizes.

Soft corals have flexible skeletons.
Sea whips and sea fans bend and wave
with the currents.

Riches of the Reef

Reef communities contain
a dazzling diversity of life.
Every inch of colorful coral
is covered with anemones,
algae, urchins, sponges
and other clinging life.

There are more kinds of fish here
than anywhere else in the sea.
Some are drab and inconspicuous;
others boast gaudy colors
and fantastic shapes.
All are abundant.

This is a close-up of what T is checking out!

Linked to:
   What's for Lunch Wednesday
   Fun Food Friday
   Bento Blog Network

Riverbanks Zoo

Today is T's birthday!  :)

We visited the Riverbanks Zoo...for the first time ever.  Beforehand, we ate a picnic lunch on the grounds.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the zoo.  There were lots of animals to see.

Luray Zoo

Next, we headed over to the Luray Zoo.

Luray Zoo is a rescue zoo that provides a safe and permanent home for unwanted, confiscated, or abused exotic animals.

This zoo houses an extensive collection of snakes.

T is checking out a snake!

We saw many unusual birds.

Scarlet Macaw

The Macaw is a large bird common to Central and South America.  These colorful birds can grow to a height of over 30 inches and a weight of over two pounds.  They use their large, hooked beaks to crack open Brazil nuts and to slice fruit.*

Eurasian Kestrel

This Eurasian Kestrel was born in captivity and was bred to be a falconry bird. Sadly, she was born with a deformity called angel wing.  As a result, she has only 70% use of her right wing and can't fly well enough to catch prey.*

Gyrfalcon

The Gyrfalcon inhabits arctic regions in North America, Greenland, Europe, and Asia.  It reaches a length of 24 inches and a weight of two to four pounds and prefers open areas and rocky cliffs from which it can hunt easily.*

Kookaburra

The Kookaburra is recognized easily by its long, sharply-pointed beak.  It inhabits woodlands in Australia.  It is the largest species of Kingfisher and reaches a height of 18 inches and a weight of one pound.*

I think my favorite was the tiger.  I've never seen a tiger so "up close and personal" before.

This Bengal Tiger was born in captivity on July 4, 2003.*

Bengal Tiger

The coat of a Bengal Tiger varies from reddish-yellow to rust brown.  These tigers reach a body length of five to nine feet and a weight of 350 to 550 pounds.  They are found throughout India, with smaller populations in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Burma.*

T loved the petting zoo.

T was having so much fun that he asked us to buy more food for the animals to eat.

T is signing the word more.

How could we resist that sweet boy...and those hungry animals??!  ;o)

T definitely was very "into it" until the donkey made his presence known!

He brayed so loudly...on and on.  T covered his ears with his hands and started to truck it out of there.  We had to coax him back...but he would not go anywhere close to that poor, hungry donkey for the longest time!

Wallaby

A Wallaby is only pregnant for 30 days before she gives birth.*  I think this Wallaby has a little one in her pouch.

We also saw Ring-Tailed Lemurs; however, this one was my favorite:

My Ring-Tailed Lemur!

~A warm day and a worn out boy!  :)

*source:  Luray Zoo