Happening Place

And it's at the Zoo if you recall the word of Simon & Garfunkel's 1967 tune, so that's where we headed for granddaughter's 3rd birthday outing. 

The Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI is one of the oldest zoos in the country and located within the 40-acre Roger Williams Park. The park and zoo are named after the founder of Providence, a 17th-century proponent of religious tolerance. It's now home to over 100 species of rare animals from all over the world in naturalistic settings. 

Roger Williams Zoo, which opened in 1872 with a limited collection of small animals (squirrels, guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks, hawks and others). The zoo's first building, the Menagerie, opened in 1890. By the 1900s, the facility began to spread out over the park, featuring a wider variety of animals including monkeys, bears and large cats.

Over time other new exhibits opened and in 1929, the Menagerie building was converted to a birdhouse; this was followed by the opening of an elephant house in 1930. In the 1930s, a new sea lion pool was constructed. 

It's now one of Rhode Island’s top tourist attractions hosting over half a million people annually from New England and beyond. 

By the mid-1960s, the zoo was showing signs of neglect and in 1962 the Rhode Island Zoological Society was founded to raise funds for new exhibits, improving old exhibits, and providing the groundwork for research, educational programs, and zoo conservation. It's still the non-profit organization that supports and manages the zoo.

Our trip to the zoo ended happily for both child and adults. 

Panda-monium in Toronto

Not a riot, but the popular Giant Panda Experience at the Toronto Zoo, the new home of two giant pandas visiting Canada for 10 years as part of a long-term conservation partnership between China and Canada.

Da Mao, a four-year old male from Chongqing and Er Shun, a five year old female from Chengdu, became the city's biggest celebrities when the display opened in May. The pair traveled first class via a special FedEx flight from China, and after five years in Toronto, they will relocate to the Calgary Zoo, which has announced a major redesign for the future visitors.

Their Toronto "panda digs" include interpretive and interactive elements as well as several indoor areas and a combination laboratory and nursery space, should the pair start a family while visiting. For now, they live in separate quarters as pandas are solitary by nature and only "date to mate." Since this pair reportedly don't even get along, it won't be easy — female pandas are only receptive to the male 24 to 72 hours each year. Should Er Shun become pregnant while in Toronto, the parents and cub(s) would remain there until they can be moved safely — no splitting up the family.

Da Mao is the more outgoing of the pair and seems to really enjoy having company come to visit. He will lie on his back and look at the gathered crowds.


His female counterpart, Er Shun, is more reserved and zoo staff are training her to move in and out of the displays.

Feeding is another challenge as bamboo makes up over 90 percent of their diet. Up to 1,985 pounds of fresh bamboo are shipped in from a panda-specific plantation in Tennessee, near the Memphis Zoo, twice weekly. Talk about big eaters — they consume 93 to 141 pounds daily. 

Ever get to a new place and feel out of sorts? Not so for this couple. Da Mao and Er Shun have expert travel companions from China to help them feel at home in Toronto. An animal nutritionist and panda house curator came along and are working with zoo staff for six months, living in a house at the zoo.

Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict them to the mountains. The giant panda is listed as endangered in the World Conservation Union's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Animals. There are about 1,600 left in the wild; nearly 300 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world, mostly in China.

The Giant Panda Experience has proved so popular that on busy days an estimated 20,000 visitors have crowded in to see them up close. Luckily, there were no waiting lines when we visited, a definite plus of traveling off-peak and on a week day.

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.

Sunday Drive to the Zoo

Do you remember when years ago, folks took a Sunday drive? In many cases, it wasn’t even anywhere far; sometimes just to a nearby park area, without amusements or rides, just trees and maybe a lake.

Grenville and I used to do that too, and we’ve decided to start again. He posted here about Nick & Nora Nikon, our matching new cameras and how the Salisbury Zoo was last Sunday’s destination.

Here’s some colorful captures of mine starting with the first exhibit.Followed soon afterwards by my personal favorites — flamingoes.

There’s usually some horseplay flamingo play going on . . .

Right before naptime for nearly all . . .The macaws share the same enclosure with the flamingoes. (These are for blogger friend Tammy of Sweet Southern Happiness.)

And, they are dramatic with just a touch of selective (green) color.Shades of gray, black and browns displayed on the rheas.

And, the prairie dogs as well.We had a fun GREAT outing as we tried various camera settings. I have MORE zoo photos to share, but NOW it’s time to duck out.

Do you take Sunday drives — OR did you ever?

Presenting,,,, for the First Time........

Nora and Nick Nikon,,,, (imagine a drumroll please) (or do one if you like)

Nora and Nick Nikon's first appearance together.

Oh My, what a cute couple they make (gag) and so sweet they're holding lens caps (double gag).

OK OK OK ,,, enough of this foolishness. Yes here are the new cameras that Beatrice and I bought. I guess you could call them our Anniversary presents to ourselves.  The question is does this make us Nikonettes, Nikoners, Nikonophobes, Nikonokons??????

I have to admit i have done more reading of the manual for this camera then i've done for any camera. But this possible testosterone reducing venture has taught me more about this camera than any i've owned. Usually it was just keep it on AUTO, then point and shoot. But this time i'm exploring settings, scenes, modes, and effects. WOW what a lot to learn. I may even start taking some good photos soon.

One thing i have learned is that auto focus doesn't work so good when zooming out to 1000mm (yes you read that right) to get a closeup of a dragon fly that is about 3 feet from you. BUT with some persistence, and a very patient Blue Darner, I did get a nice picture of this beauty.

 Next time i'll try for a closeup of that cute face with those BIG green eyes.

Our test run this weekend was a safari to the Salisbury Md Zoological Park. Here are some of the folks that were watching me fumble around.

WHAT!!!

I'd go say Hello but its so comfy here.

Manny, Moe, and Jack?????

Do I have dirt on my  nose???

Just wash your face and come for lunch...

You Lookin' At Me???????

He can't possible get a close up at that distance...

If I sit real still they won't notice me till January.

Turkey???? What Turkey???? I didn't see a Turkey!!!!!

Which side do you think is my best?????

THE END!!!!!

Grenville

It's All Happening at the Zoo

Sunday was a warm, beautiful day, so with no particular place to go, we headed for the Salisbury Zoological Park, about an hour and a half drive from the Frog & PenguINN or as they say in these parts "just down the road."

 

While it's not a large zoo, it has two notable features: it's free (donations gratefully accepted) and open daily, except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Otters are one of the zoo's most popular exhibits. Kids and adults crowd around to watch them do laps and back flips. And, in between, one or more will surface and watch the crowds watching them. Flamingoes stand around, look colorful and attract equally large crowds. Imagine standing like this for a few hours!

Some zoo inhabitants could bearly stay awake, and others were in a playful mood.

Imagine playing catch with this big guy?

Numerous nest sites were scattered throughout the park, including these two expectant "moms." All seemed indifferent to the crowds as long as no one tried to get too close. There is no such thing as privacy when nesting in full public view.