Caldwell Zoo

On Thursday, April 11th, we went to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX.  The weather was a little on the chilly side, but everyone enjoyed it.  The kids were excited to see the animals, and have Dad with us.

Alina and Nathan looking at the flamingos.

Our first stop was over by the North America habitat.  The kids were excited to feed the ducks and fish.

They had a couple kinds of deer, Texas Longhorns and some American Buffalo.

 

Mountain Lions are a favorite!

 

This was a very pretty White Tiger.  The male, above, has stripes, but the female was pure white.  I just didn't get a good picture of her.

Next the bird house!  The kids loved feeding the birds.

Eliza

This cockatiel flew up to Bradley and sat on one finger and the stick and ate for a long time.

Daniel tried to get this one on his hand, but it didn't want to.

 

I raised my arm to take a picture and this parakeet landed on me.  It stayed for quite a while even though I didn't have any food.

I finally got it to climb on to Eliza.  She was a little shy at first, but then she liked it.

It also love Uncle Matt.  It landed on him a couple times.

It decided to check Dad and Nathan out.  Nathan was so excited!

 

He squealed a LOT!

Then he tried to eat it!

Just kidding!  It started to climb up his are towards his face, which was a little to close for me, and started pecking at his little lips.  It didn't hurt him at all, but Dad chased it away.  He didn't like any little birds picking on his baby!

Bradley still has his bird!

The kids were sad to leave the bird house, but we had to move on.

We always love to watch the penguins.

The kids were pointing out which one was Private, Skipper, Kowalski and Rico!

The Africa section is always a favorite.  Unfortunately the giraffes weren't out that day.

 

This elephant was having a bad day.  It kept rubbing all over this rock and lifting its back leg onto it.  Then it picked up a big stick and ran across to the ravine, that separates it from the other animals, and threw the stick.  Then it walked back to the feeding pole and hit it with a different stick.  I guess you can have a bad day no matter who you are!

This was a mama Capybara and her babies.  I thing there were two sets of offspring.  The little ones were super cute!

The playground area is mostly a giant sand box.  This tractor and an old pickup truck were also there for the kids to play on.

Everyone had to have a turn driving.

This is a mother Anteater and her baby.  I didn't realize that they carry their young on their backs.  IT was really cute.

We stopped by the petting zoo on our way out.  The goats were all relaxing in the sun, so it wasn't very exciting...

until Uncle Matt helped Bradley kiss a goat upside down.

Just kidding!  We don't really let our kids eat or kiss zoo animals.  :0)

After everyone washed their hands we headed back to the car.  Eliza and I were the last ones and saw this pretty butterfly on some hanging flowers.  We had a lot of fun and we are glad we were able to go.

April 11, 2013