A Walk On the (Kinda) Wild Side – Part I

Wednesday, July 1, my friend Juli and I went on an excursion to the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. I came home with 200 photos, many of them pretty good in my estimation, so I have decided to post them in increments so as not to be too overwhelming!

Last year I did a short post on the zoo (you can see it here) and in it I mentioned the aquarium that was undergoing renovation. The aquarium had its Grand Opening earlier this year and I have heard wonderful things about it. Even Mark was very interested in the new aquarium, so I decided to purchase a zoo membership so we can go whenever we want to. Unfortunately, on this day, the line to get in to the aquarium was too long, so Juli and I did not get to check it out.

We had a “picture perfect” day for our visit. Since we have had so much rain this year and this was the first rain-free day in weeks, the zoo was packed. But we still had a wonderful time. We began on the north size of the zoo, which is much newer, and includes the Arctic Encounter (polar bears), wolves, and Africa! The photos for this post are from the time we spent in Africa!

I begin with the African crowned cranes.

East African crowned cranes

 

The Masai giraffes were being particularly cooperative and photogenic. (Click on any photo in the galleries to see a larger view.)

Herd of giraffes.

The newest member of the zoo’s giraffe family.

Masai Giraffe being curious.

What are you looking at??

Masai giraffe.

I had fun watching these African white-backed vultures. The one went over and got some hay from the ground and took it back to their log. I don’t know if they were considering making a nest or just what. It was all very interesting to watch!

African white-backed vultures.

White-backed vulture with beak full of hay.

White-backed vulture taking hay to its mate.

Hmmm, now what?

The kudus and the white-bearded wildebeests decided to put on a sparring exhibition for all the on-lookers. When we went back later in the day, the kudus were playing “king of the mountain” – or king of the cliff, I’m not really sure what you would call it.

Kudu and White-beareded wildebeests sparring.

White-bearded wildebeests sparring.

Kudus playing king-of-the-hill.

My perpetual favorites are the zebras. For a long time, the zoo did not have any, and then it seemed like whenever I went, they were indoors, so I was very happy that they were out in plain view this time. I got plenty of photos!

Grant’s zebra.

Grants zebras.

Grants zebra – notice this one has a tail, the other doesn’t.

Grants zebra.

Juli and I spent a long time in Africa! We went back again later in the day, before we left. I’ve included two photos in the galleries above from later in the day (one of a giraffe and one of the kudus). Before we left, Juli and I posed with the bronze lions. I’m not sure why these sculptures are in this part of the zoo because the lion exhibit is in the historic south-side part of the zoo.

Me with the bronze lion.

Juli with the bronze lion.

I hope you enjoyed this little visit to the world-class Toledo Zoo.  Join me next time when I will give you a glimpse of the animals seen along Tembo Trail. Just to forewarn you, I took way too many photos of meerkats! LOL