I am going to be doing 2 posts on the San Diego Zoo, one will be on our day at the zoo in general and one will be on our backstage tour we took part in. There are just too many pictures and details to get in one post!
One of the things I was most looking forward to on our California trip was going to the San Diego Zoo. Everything you hear about it is absolutely true. It was definitely the most amazing zoo I've ever been to. We got to the zoo a little early so we took some pictures and talked to one of zoo workers and she helped us plan our day with her suggestions for tackling the park.
Mom and Dad in front of the park entrance
Michael and I in front of the zoo
When we were talking to the woman who worked at the zoo she suggested to start at the very back of the park and see the polar bears and the pandas since they tend to get busier as the day goes on. So we took her advice and hitched a ride on the skyway to the back of the park.
Michael on the skyway
Me on the skyway
Mom and Dad
Entering the polar bear exhibit
Very sleepy polar bear
2 very sleepy polar bears
A little arctic fox coming to say hello
To get to see the panda bars we walked through an aviary trail with all different kinds of birds, hawks and eagles. It was beautiful up there!
One of the eagles perched on a branch
A hawk getting ready to take flight
Mom and Dad
Michael and I
After walking through the bird trail. We finally made our way to the pandas! Most of them were pretty sleepy too but they were so cool up close.
The very sleepy big sister
Momma and the new little cub in the hammock
Finally an awake panda, and what is he doing? Eating bamboo of course!
We watched the pandas for a long time, they were just so amazing and there was hardly anyone there so we got to enjoy them almost all to ourselves. After the pandas we headed to the Africa exhibits. They had a very nice moving walkway that took you right to the exhibit.
Michael enjoying the ride up
Me heading up
Mom and Dad
When we got to the top, we were in Elephant Odyssey, which is an amazing exhibit that was fully funded by one family. It is relatively new and it was one of the nicest exhibits I have ever been to.
Michael and I
Mom and Dad, yes, Dad is picking the elephant's nose!
What you are greeted by when you enter the Elephant Odyssey
Pretty much what a male lion does all day
A three-toed sloth in a box!
The elusive dik-dik (dwarf antelopes)
Finally, some elephants! These are Indian elephants - you can tell by the small ears
Close-up
No, its's not groundhogs day - its a capybara!
Tapir
Leopard
Throughout the exhibit they had all of these different cutouts of people that you could put your face in. They were all supposed to represent people who work with animals or protect animals.
Michael aka, Harold the Over Hunting Theorist
Dad aka, Paulette representing the pressures of today
A large male Indian elephant
These two elephants were feeding each other, it was so cute!
This young guy loved to toss the dirt on himself
Oh look, we're not even in Disney and Dad found a hat to model!
Michael and I at the end of Elephant Odyssey
Mom and Dad
After Elephant Odyssey we headed to lunch and to go see and feed the giraffes before our backstage tour. We passed some animals along the way to see the giraffes.
A very sleepy puma
Monkeys
Check out these monkeys! Oops, I mean people resting!
Look it's Timon from the Lion King aka a meerkat
Yay, we finally made it to the giraffes! They are mine and Michael's favorite animal.
Michael and I were waiting in line to feed the giraffes
This little guy is just a baby. He was born in December right in front of everyone in the exhibit!
Yay, if was finally our turn! There were a lot of mouths to feed!
Michael's turn!
They had a professional photographer taking your picture as well
Check out that long tongue!
We loved being able to hang out with the giraffes for a while. It was one of my favorite parts of the day. Coming up in my next post will be a recap of the backstage tour we reserved. That was definitely my favorite part of the day. We had some amazing close encounters with some great animals, see you tomorrow!
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