Last month, I spent spent my 34th birthday at the San Diego Zoo. Lucas and I had planned a five day vacation during spring break to San Diego and Joshua Tree National Park, including excursions to Salvation Mountain, SeaWorld and the Salton Sea. Needless to say, it was a non-stop adventure.
Even though I still feel somewhat conflicted about zoos, I appreciate their general conservation efforts and educational work for endangered animals. I had wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo for years so it seemed a fitting birthday experience. Plus, it’s the subject of one of my favorite songs by The Sixths, sung by Barbara Manning. I recommend listening along as you peruse the photographs (taken with my brand new camera!). The weather was beautiful and the animals were out and active which made for a very memorable birthday experience.
Birds of Paradise were plentiful. I love these so much… perhaps my second favorite flower.
Ducks roamed freely throughout the zoo. Luke made friends with this one by offering a french fry as it perched on the fabric canopy above us.
Flamingos!
Meerkat!
This is a Chinese Leopard named Java.
Koala, sittin’ in a tree.
11 month old Jaguar cub eatin’ some foods.
Snoozing polar bear!
The gorillas were extremely active… they were very fascinating to watch.
Aw, Panda.
A nesting Secretary bird. So beautiful.
This hippo was one of my favorite creatures I saw.
Peacock and tourists. Hilarious.
