It's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I had a week off work after Easter and after that it has been a bit harder to catch up.
On my first day of 'vacations', Tommy and I met some friends to go to the Parque Zoológico Huachipa, a small zoo about 45 minutes from home. Tommy already wrote about it and posted some cool pics here.
It was a hot day but a bit cloudy. We got there early, and it seemed that some residents were not completely awake yet...
We don't like to see animals in cages or in spaces were they can't leave, but this was an opportunity to at least SEE animals and to learn about them.
Festive ParrotWe found a zone with a few parrots and macaws. The Blue-and-yellow Macaw of the next picture was enjoying the scratching very much. When I took the picture it reminded me of one of those 'oh yes, he got me the biggest rock he could find, isn't my ring gorgeous??' comments...
Blue-and-yellow MacawAfter that we saw a few residents that came a long way...
... one of them gave us the 'I'm-watching-you-you-better-be-careful' look...
And then we got in what became my favourite spot of the whole place: El Bosque de Aves (The forest of birds). There were some really nice but hard to get in camera birds. I've never seen them before, and I won't be able to see them in the wild anytime soon, so, I'm glad we had the chance. Tommy got some pretty good shots, and I just managed to get these...
Speckled Chachalaca... And this HUGE Jabiru, which I swear was taller than me! It was awesome to see it soo close, and to be able to walk around a place where new-to-us birds could fly around us. Too bad that there were not good signs to actually help you id the species.
JabiruWhen we got out of the forest of birds, we found a small pond where the residents had to share the food with some visitors...
Black-crowned Night-heronWe stayed close to see the Humboldt Penguins in detail. They were all swimming together, all but one. One of them was very close to where we were, and was trying to get something. When we got closer, we found out that this guy was trying to get a plastic bottle cap! He dived many times to get it, splashing around... I think I got it when he just grabbed it :)
Humboldt PenguinSo, what do you think the caption should be for the next one? 'I think I'm adopted' comes to mind...
We spent a few hours in that zoo, saw some really beautiful creatures, but we left with a bitter sweet smile, knowing that those beauties were staying there...
16 comments:
I don't really like the fact of keeping animals in cages but you're right sometimes it's the only way to see them..
I have mixed feelings about zoos too but I like to think that if we all take the opportunity to learn about and appreciate those animals, then maybe their sacrifice is worth it.
Love your captions- especially the kangaroo!
Hi Mel,
Zoos are OK sometimes, we went to one last summer. I don't want to see a wild Tiger or Polar Bear up close enough to fill the frame.........
Was that Night Heron wild (I'm assuming it was)? If so that's a pretty good shot......
Hola a todos :)
Alu,
Yes, it's not nice to see them captured, but for educational purposes...
Lynne,
The kangaroo was funny, got a bit nervous about that particular look though, lol
Stuart,
You are right about the tiger or polar bear...
Yes, the Heron was wild, it was standing there by the pond waiting for the residents to be fed... it wasn't scared of us and let me get closer :)
I love zoos because they mostly focus on conservation and breeding now. I alos love your photo of that zebra.
The zoos are so much better than they used to be when I was a little girl and all the animals were in cages. Now the animals have a chance to live in more natural "habitats" and receive excellent care and feeding by caring zoo personnel. And we have the chance to see birds and animals that we'd never get to see in the wild.
Thanks for sharing these photos Mel.
You're right, Mel, at zoos we can learn about birds and animals that we would not be able to see in the wild. I love your comments on the Blue-and-yellow Macaw. That is so funny!
Mel - we are all here in West Virginia toasting you with a big glass of vino tinto. We wish you were here.
Do you have Skype? We might have a fast enough connection to call you live with video.
What is your phone number? We'll call you one of these nights.
Tim, Jane, Lynne, Mary, Susan, Nina, KatDoc, Kathie,
Zoos are the worst cages man could create. At least others (young children) can grow up to appreciate birds and animals.
*I Donated to Cornell Ornithology!*
http://www.opticsplanet.net/cornell-lab-of-ornithology.html
Thanks for taking us all along to the zoo Mel. Nice photos :)
The zoo is one of my favorite places. When I travel I always like to visit if the area has a zoo. Your photos are lovely, Mel! Thanks for taking me along on your visit. Hope you had a great break after Easter.
It must be a great zoo, so many wonderful photos!!
Dear Mel,
I have mixed feelings about zoos too. Your photos are great.
Happy May,
Sherry
Hola Mel ¿Qué tal?
that peruvian pygmy owl in your last post was an absolute stunner. I would have been shaking with excitement!
Please feel free to link digibinning photos through to "Digiscoping Today" - this is exactly why I set it up, so that people could link in their photos/videos taken through a telescope, binocular or any kind of lens.
just choose a post (or post something new) and then add the url to the box: as easy as that!
I am looking forward to seeing your photos.
Happy birding
Dale
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.comp.s. I recently posted about practicing digiscoping and digibinning in a zoo
Hi, Mel - I was a last minute substitute into the flock and wanted to say hello and thanks - sorry the skype connection didn't work out, but maybe next time you can be with us in person.
Mel, my name is Kathie and I am from the Sycamore Canyon blog. Lynne brought all your sweet gifts to the Farmhouse where we stayed for the New River Birding and Nature Festival. I was overwhelmed by your kindness in thinking about all of us here in America and you don't even know most of us. Thank you so for your kindness. I picked out a little owl painted on a tiny gourd. It is sitting on my bookshelf in Arizona and now when I look at it I will think of you and Peru. I wanted you to know what pleasure it brings me. I smile at it everyday and at your kind and generous heart.
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