Walker took his very first trip to the zoo today.
My friend (Melissa) and I had been talking about going to the zoo with our boys since neither had been yet, so I was giddy when I received her text to see if today would work. I am so thankful that we went. It was perfect.
The weather was picturesque. The zoo wasn't crowded. And animals were out in full force to put on a show for Walker and Eli.
Our very first exhibit was CRAZY. At first we couldn't find the orangutan anywhere in the cage. Then it came out of the stone wall. We were laughing at how big and hairy it was. It was part of the pongo pygmaeus genus. It was so far away that we left for a moment to look at the tiger next door. When we came back, it was moving toward the glass. We were left speechless when it came right up to the glass (you could literally see its breath) and started tapping with its fist in front of the babies. Here is a pic that I found on-line of the species and a shot of the interaction with Walker. I hope to upload my video to youtube and post it as well. It was so cool!
"Hey, kid, get me out of here."
Eli loved the elephants, but he's going to be a lion for Halloween. His daddy is a vet, so maybe he will follow in his father's footsteps...
Another cool moment - we arrived at the Tiger Tundra just as the demonstration to the left was taking place. The only thing separating us from the tiger (four feet away) was that chain link fence. But Walker wasn't pleased watching the tiger with the rest of the crowd, so he wondered off (middle pic) to get a different view. He went up to the glass viewing area up above. It was empty because everyone was still over by the fence (down below), but the tiger left the crowd and came over to look at Walker alone in the glass case. Must have been a bonding moment b/c Walker was licking the glass (his version of "kisses") for about twenty seconds before I realized his tongue was out.
Don't worry, Walker, I've got your back!
Not many shots with mommy. Eyes closed. Typical:).
Melissa and Eli and the boys.
Two tired dudes sharing a toy on the way home from the zoo