Monday, our scheduled freed up at the last minute, so we headed back to our new favorite place... the San Antonio Zoo. This time we got to see the other half of the zoo, the half we ran out of time to see last Friday.
In the Preschool Play area, there's an indoor play center. The fishing hole was closed last Friday, but it was open on Monday! So Nathan got to go fishing for magnetic fish!
In the Preschool Play area, there's an indoor play center. The fishing hole was closed last Friday, but it was open on Monday! So Nathan got to go fishing for magnetic fish!
"Look what I caught, Mommy!"
There's also a play area inside the indoor center... where the kids can crawl through tunnels with some bug exhibits, or crawl up to get closer looks at the Prairie Dogs.
And there's also a play-zoo for the preschoolers inside, too
Nathan enjoyed playing vetrinarian...
...while his sister gave the animals mouth-to-mouth!
After the indoor center, we had to check out one of Nathan's favorite spots... the play campground, and let him tramp through the creek again. Then it was off to peek at the chickens. Nathan was much less scared of them Monday than he was last time he saw them! And Faith was fascinated, too!
In the preschool area, there's also a riverbank, where the kids can wade in the water and play in the sand. Nathan wasn't sure about the sand... he was pretty upset at the idea of taking his shoes off. But the giant tortoise was pretty cool!
And after some persuading, Nathan came to enjoy the sand between his toes!
Although we spent lots of time in the giant preschool area of the zoo, we had to keep moving if we were going to see the other half of the zoo - the half we missed last Monday. So we headed out to explore more... and let Nathan leave through the lilly pads. Which he loves :)
On the way to the petting zoo, the Flamingos caught our attention. Nathan's as much as mine. Can you see what their doing??
They were playing with a giant egg... at first I thought they were trying to get it back up in the nest. But then the aweful truth was learned...
They were pecking it to death. Literally. And eating whatever was on the inside... I never got a good view of what was in there... they swarmed that egg and ate it in seconds. But I do know, that it didn't look like a raw egg... and as it rolled down into the watering hole, it left a redish mess behind... too red for a yolk. I'd like to think they just ate a duck's egg or something... but I have a feeling they ate their baby! But there was no zookeeper around to ask... anyone know if Flamingos eat their young??? I know... gross idea...
Shaking off the scene we just witnessed, we headed to Faith's favorite place. The petting zoo... we can't go to the zoo and not let Faith see her goats :) Nathan even jumped right in, going straight to get a brush to pet the goats!
And, no surprise, Faith had a great time helping to feed the goats!
After washing up, it was time to go see the big animals!
They were playing with a giant egg... at first I thought they were trying to get it back up in the nest. But then the aweful truth was learned...
They were pecking it to death. Literally. And eating whatever was on the inside... I never got a good view of what was in there... they swarmed that egg and ate it in seconds. But I do know, that it didn't look like a raw egg... and as it rolled down into the watering hole, it left a redish mess behind... too red for a yolk. I'd like to think they just ate a duck's egg or something... but I have a feeling they ate their baby! But there was no zookeeper around to ask... anyone know if Flamingos eat their young??? I know... gross idea...
Shaking off the scene we just witnessed, we headed to Faith's favorite place. The petting zoo... we can't go to the zoo and not let Faith see her goats :) Nathan even jumped right in, going straight to get a brush to pet the goats!
And, no surprise, Faith had a great time helping to feed the goats!
After washing up, it was time to go see the big animals!
Like the sleeping lions...
The eagle (can't remember what kind)
The Cheetahs
And the Rhinos - this guy was off on his own in that closed off area. Not sure why.
Nathan thought the giant storm drain covers were an exhibit, too.
The Cheetahs
And the Rhinos - this guy was off on his own in that closed off area. Not sure why.
Nathan thought the giant storm drain covers were an exhibit, too. He loved to hop all over them!
We arrived at the Elephants just in time to see their daily "performance"
In between feeding Nathan and Faith their lunch, I learned a few things about elephants... for instance: these "little" guys are Asian elephants, they have high points on their back. As opposed to African elephants whose highest point is on their shoulders. And African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk. These elephants have just one. And did you know why elephants can cool themselves with their ears?? I always assumed their ears were like fans... no. The skin on their ears is so thin, that when the blood circulates through, it cools off. Cooling the rest of their bodies as it continues through their body. God was seriously creative and wise when He created elephants. And every other animal, for that matter!
After a little education, the Elephants showed us some basic tricks. I think they were going to smash watermelons soon after. But the kids were losing interest, so we'll have to save that experience for another trip.
Nathan had fun watching (and barking at) the wild dogs.
Then there were these guys.. Okapi. Supposedly they're hard to find in Africa and not many zoos have any. Their so hard to find, that now much is known about them, aside from observation in captivity.
Further down the zoo... Nathan enjoyed watching the fish.
We arrived at the Elephants just in time to see their daily "performance"
In between feeding Nathan and Faith their lunch, I learned a few things about elephants... for instance: these "little" guys are Asian elephants, they have high points on their back. As opposed to African elephants whose highest point is on their shoulders. And African elephants have two "fingers" on the end of their trunk. These elephants have just one. And did you know why elephants can cool themselves with their ears?? I always assumed their ears were like fans... no. The skin on their ears is so thin, that when the blood circulates through, it cools off. Cooling the rest of their bodies as it continues through their body. God was seriously creative and wise when He created elephants. And every other animal, for that matter!
After a little education, the Elephants showed us some basic tricks. I think they were going to smash watermelons soon after. But the kids were losing interest, so we'll have to save that experience for another trip.
Nathan had fun watching (and barking at) the wild dogs.
Then there were these guys.. Okapi. Supposedly they're hard to find in Africa and not many zoos have any. Their so hard to find, that now much is known about them, aside from observation in captivity.
Further down the zoo... Nathan enjoyed watching the fish. He had no idea that there was something much cooler right above him!
We tried to spot the Hippos... but they were too busy sleeping.
We tried to spot the Hippos... but they were too busy sleeping. With their butts facing us.
Although we didn't go back in the butterfly house, we did walk by it
Although we didn't go back in the butterfly house, we did walk by it and caught a glimpse at one rare species!
There was a line to take photos with this lizard...
There was a line to take photos with this lizard... so I didn't have time to get the kids to look at me.
But they did have time to hug! Aww :)
And that was our most recent visit to the zoo... our 3rd visit in 5 weeks :)
And it won't be our last, we love it there.
As much as Nathan loves the zoo, I think his favorite thing is just outside the entrance... the train depot! He got SOOO EXCITED when I asked him if he wanted to ride the train again. He had the whole line laughing as they listened to him and watched his excitement while we waited for the train. And he enjoyed every moment of that 2 mile, 20 minute, train ride. It was definitely the highlight of his week! Maybe next time we can take Daddy :)
But they did have time to hug! Aww :)And that was our most recent visit to the zoo... our 3rd visit in 5 weeks :)
And it won't be our last, we love it there.
As much as Nathan loves the zoo, I think his favorite thing is just outside the entrance... the train depot! He got SOOO EXCITED when I asked him if he wanted to ride the train again. He had the whole line laughing as they listened to him and watched his excitement while we waited for the train. And he enjoyed every moment of that 2 mile, 20 minute, train ride. It was definitely the highlight of his week! Maybe next time we can take Daddy :)
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