More Sunday Zoo Fun

The Salisbury Zoo is a very small park compared to many others. There is the MUCH larger Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, across the bay, which we have never visited. That’s a costly trip with a $17 toll on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, $10 per (senior) adult. We prefer this little zoo with a donation fee and money left for a dinner out.

Last weekend at the zoo we also saw — iguana, cavi and buffalo. . .Also ducks and turtles (color effects selected in camera)

Canada geese, sandhill cranes and a black crowned night heron

And a very sweet (and lone) deer, others may have been hiding.

These energetic little monkeys (tamarinds?) were watching all the humans . . .

Despite being caged, this was a very majestic American Bald Eagle (more color effects applied in camera).

Playing around with the color mode effects on my new camera camera yielded dramatic results without the need for post-editing.Here’s another zoo resident — a turkey — there were several these. I’ve heard about how Benjamin Franklin proposed naming this bird as the U.S. national bird. Since I was curious WHY, I  sleuthed online and learned that this notion was proposed in a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter, Sarah Bache, in January 1784. Sharing it here in case anyone else was also curious. The focus of the letter was a criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati (which used an eagle on its crest). It makes some interesting observations:

Others object to the Bald Eagle, as looking too much like a Dindon, or Turkey. For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk [Osprey]; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country...

I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.

Wishing ALL a restful & safe Labor Day weekend

FYI: This U.S. federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September was nationally recognized in 1894 to appease unionists after settlement of the Pullman Strike. Today, the holiday is viewed as a time for BBQs and end of summer vacations before back-to-school for many families. It’s also a BIG sales weekend; U.S. retailers claim it’s second to the holiday’s Black Friday sales.