We went to the zoo!

Puzzling continues - the patterns in the giraffes were tough enough; the brown background is even more so, but the task is assisted by an excellent bottle of Chardonnay. 

I have bought some new tights. Okay, so this may not be earth-shattering news to you, but they fit; they come in bright colours; they are comfortable, and they keep my legs warm, so I can wear dresses with boots in winter. I think that's pretty big news; thanks, Snag Tights!

Continuing a previous theme of making the most of our weekends by visiting local institutions  rather than sitting around the house, we went to the National Zoo and Aquarium. It was fun and instructional. 

I know some people don't like zoos as they keep animals in captivity (are these the same people who argue that cats should be contained indoors, I wonder) and I understand this sentiment. Animals should be allowed to roam and act as animals do, not perform for our entertainment. However, if we can instruct humans (particularly children) in their behaviours and habitats, then perhaps we might be able to preserve and protect rather than wiping them out, as we seem to be doing at the moment. 

Education and knowledge breeds respect and hopefully co-existence. Many animals in zoos are critically endangered and if we learn to understand them (and even, in some cases help them to procreate), we may still have tigers and tree kangaroos in our future. I saw several young folk taking an interest in these animals and asking questions of the zoo-keepers, which could potentially lead to conservation. This would be a good thing. 

Ring-tail lemurs

Black-and-white-ruffed lemur

Little penguin

Goodfellow's tree kangaroo

Malaysian Sun Bear

Asian small-clawed otter

Sumatran Tiger

Tawny Frogmouth

Tawny lion

White lion

I have a confession to make: I don't really like the monkeys. 

Black and white Colobus

Cotton-top Tamarin

Slender-tailed meerkat

Siamang

Red panda

Common marmoset

Starfish

Spotted puffer fish (I think he spotted me too)

Rock lobster (and yes, we were singing that for the rest of the day)

Iguana - flat out like a lizard

Reticulated python

America alligator (see ya later!)

Ostrich

Pains zebra (Equus quagga)

Cheetah

Spotted hyena (It didn't spot me because it was asleep)

White rhino (in sepia)

Alpaca

This was the main event for me - big fan of giraffes, and this is a baby one who is a brand new arrival. 

 

Nzuri, the baby giraffe

Close up giraffe

Humberkhali (Hummer), the bachelor giraffe

Mzungu, the mummy giraffe

Shaba, the daddy giraffe

Mzungu and Shaba

And we finished our zoo tribute, with further assistance from an antipasti platter.