Field Trip to the Zoo

This year I made it to one of Daniel's field trips.  It happened to be the field trip to the zoo.  We had to be to the school by 7:15am so we could drive to the zoo.  Margaret was good to stay with Eliza and Nathan while I was gone.  Marek also helped my taking Bradley to school later that morning.  I drove myself to the zoo so that I could get back faster.  Daniel liked riding the bus, but he wanted to ride home with me.  When we got there we divided up into groups.  Since several parents were able to come I only had Daniel and one of his friends Maurice.  They are both good kids and relatively quiet.  I was lucky!

First we found the alligators.  This one was pretty interested in all the kindergartners on the bridge.  He climbed in the water and started swimming towards us.  He was only about 5 feet long though.  Not too big.

More alligators sunning themselves.  Daniel really wanted to see a big one.

Just around the corner was the big one!  Daniel was very excited. 

Daniel, Maurice, Mariyah, and Adrian checking out the swamp boat.

Daniel and Maurice checking out this maze of twisted sticks.  It was pretty impressive!

 

Checking out the Harbor Seals.  They kept swimming past the window upside down.  The kids really enjoyed watching them.

 

Daniel and Maurice checking out the snow cave that a polar bear might use.  It is pretty spacious inside.

My favorite was the polar bear.  This was his first day back on exhibit after a two year stay at the Cleveland Zoo.  We were down at the underwater observations window when they threw something in from the top.  The polar bear swam over to it and pushed up over to the rocks so he could eat it.

 

I love how the bear looks bigger and a lot closer under the water.

We headed up top to see what he was eating.  It was the top of a 50 gal. drum that they smeared peanut butter on and threw in for a treat.  He really liked it!  They are building a new exhibit for him and want to get some more polar bears to eventually start breeding. 

After the polar bear exhibit we stopped for a snack and to play on the "bug" playground.  The kids loved it!

Daniel on a ladybug.

Maurice climbing a vine.

We ate our lunch over by the bison and elk exhibit.  We didn't see any elk, but there was a very large bison relaxing in the sun.  The log he is next to is at least 4 feet tall.   If only he had turned around.

Maurice with the Buffalo statue.

Next we moved on to the geyser.  It erupts every 5 minutes and we were there just in time.  We were wishing the wind was blowing so we could get misted by the geyser.  No such luck!

The grizzly bear was pretty big, but he was sleeping in the shade and we couldn't get a good picture.  So Daniel decided to get one with this grizzly instead.  "Keep your head up!"

 

 

One of the workers over by the polar bear told us to check out the baby gorillas.  After Daniel and Maurice heard there were baby gorillas they didn't want to stop until we saw them.  The daddy was sleeping in the shade right next to the window.  You can't tell very well from this picture but he is BIG!

 

There are two baby gorillas.  One was crawling all over it's mother.  I know how she feels!  The one in this picture is just to the left of his mom in the grass.  They were too far away to get a good picture, but they are super cute!

The elephants are also getting something new for their exhibit, so this was as good as it got. 

Daniel and Maurice couldn't resist trying to ride this baby elephant.  We did check to make sure it wasn't too hot first!  :0)

"Cheese!"

We watched this giraffe slowly spread his legs so he could eat the grass. 

The zebras weren't interested in eating.  They wanted out of the sun!

Daniel checking the map to make sure we didn't miss anything.

The lions were one of the last stops before we headed out to find the bus.  This female was laying in the shade relaxing.  Then she got up and walked over to the male and laid back down.  She had just gotten comfortable when the male got up and walked away from her!  How rude!

As you leave the zoo you cross a large bridge that goes over part of a small lake.  When you get in to the middle of  the bridge you can see turtles coming up to the surface for air.  This is a picture of a LARGE snapping turtle.  It's shell was bigger than a basket ball.  I haven't ever seen one that big before.  I was glad I wasn't swimming with him.

 

We had a great day at the zoo, and it was fun to spend time with just Daniel.  As much as we love Nathan and Eliza they do need a lot of attention.  :0)  Thanks to Margaret we were able to have a great day at the zoo and Nathan and Eliza had fun at home.  Thanks again Margaret!

May 15, 2013