June 19, 2007
Another fun thing I did in San Diego was visit the famous San Diego Zoo. My friend Shawn, who I met in dance classes at UCSD, drove down from Irvine with her kids, Devin (age 5-1/2) and Camden (age 2-1/2). I hadn't been to this zoo, or any for that matter, in years, so it was cool to see all of the animals. I did have a twinge of guilt when I thought about them in captivity though. Aside from that, it was a beautiful sunny day, and I was happy to spend time with Shawn.
Devin and Camden are ready to see some animals!
First up - flamingos!
Bright orange bird
The first of MANY monkeys we would see at the zoo. This one seems to have a white beard.
These monkeys have long orange tails.
Shawn looks just like she did in college! She and the kids checked out the fish and two pigmy hippos.
Gimme a kiss!
Open wide! (slender-snout crocodile and a brave turtle)
Big gorilla snacking on leaves
Cute little baby
This is a side-necked turtle. They can't pull their heads inside their shells, so they tuck them along the outside of their shells.
The tapir is such a strange looking animal.
The okapi looks like a confused mix between a giraffe and a zebra, but it's the only living relative of the giraffe.
Did you know the hippopotamus is related to the pig??
This monkey is carrying her baby!
Red panda napping
Zebras - Devin's favorite animal.
What's a polar bear doing in sunny California??
Swimming and munching on carrots!
Hello!
This animal looked like a prickly hedgehog.
The takin also seems to be a mix of different animals.
I think these are impala.
Happy hour at the water trough.
Pelican
The red river hog has funny ears and bushy whiskers.
This is some sort of antelope.
This one looks like a deer with toaster strudel stripes!
The giraffes were enjoying an afternoon snack. Isn't(br)the baby cute?
Camden seemed to really like the giraffes.
Hedgehog
My, what big horns you have!
In case your feet get tired, you can relieve them on the "Tootsie Wootsie."
This little animal has pretty eyes.
Camel baby and mama
Tree kangaroos have very long tails.
Baby wallaby nursing
Little piglets ran around each other playing.
Sleepy koala (most of them were sleeping this afternoon).
Koalas are not bears. Rather, they are marsupials, related to the kangaroo.
Peacock in the tree
The four of us ended our zoo day back at Flamingo Plaza.
Shawn with Camden and Devin
We got back just as Jeannine got home from work.
The kids were not too tired to do silly poses for us.
And make funny faces!