San Diego Zoo.Part 5.Pandas

This is my best shot from the zoo. Here are a few more of the panda shots. Remember, for a closer look, click on the photos.

Panda, San Diego Zoo

Panda, San Diego Zoo

Sleeping Panda, San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo.Part 4.Elephant

Elephants are always impressive. They cannot have real trees in the display because the elephants would demolish them rather quickly. Instead, they have these cement "trees", which are showing a bit of wear and tear.

San Diego Zoo.Part 3.Cheetah and Dog

Cheetah and Companion Dog, San Diego Zoo

Look closely for the cheetah lying on the ground next to the white dog's legs. This is a companion dog. He helps keep the cheetah calm. They are paired up when both animals are young. Sorry for the poor quality photo. I was a the back of the bus and by the time I was near the cheetah, the driver was speeding up. This kept happening and was rather frustrating. You can see a much better picture of them here. That brings me to my question: Does it make sense to try taking photos at the zoo when you are likely to find a lot of photos of the same animals online (and often much better quality). What do you think?

San Diego Zoo.Part 2.Hippo and Hogs

Hippo, San Diego Zoo (follow the pink arrows)

Blogger does not like it when we post a lot of photos, so I just created a Part 2 for my San Diego Zoo posting. I will likely have several more postings to get all my animal shots loaded. Remember to click the photos for a closer look.





Momma Hippo
This first shot is a momma hippo. I stayed by her tank for a long time, waiting for her to move, but she was on top of her own personal jacuzzi and not about to budge. The smeary glass on the side of the tank makes her hard to see her in the photo, but click the photo (to enlarge it) and follow the two pink arrows. The arrow on top points to where her face breaks the surface of the water. The arrow on the right points to her rump.

 I never did see her baby. After watching this video, I'm pretty sure the baby was elsewhere that day. This baby loves to romp around the floor of the tank! He's quite an acrobat! Here's a video of an adult hippo at another zoo. I love watching them move through the water!

Red River Hog, San Diego Zoo

"A Pig of Beauty Is a Joy Forever"
Next, two pigs. First, a red river hog . . . and a sign with some information about him. He has wonderful markings and some tassel-like hair on the tips of his ears and the sides of his face.

Red River Hog, San Diego Zoo

For this hog, it was just another day, but I go with the sign (below) -- "A Pig of Beauty is a Joy Forever."

Finally, the Chacoan Peccary.  I love his delicate feet, small eyes, bristly coat, and overall shape. I find him endearing.

More zoo pictures tomorrow!

Chacoan Pecccary, San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo.Part 1

Balboa Park, San Diego

Balboa Park, San Diego

I wandered around Balboa Park looking for the entrance to the San Diego Zoo, and was happy when I found a sign which lead me to a a palm-lined path.

In San Diego, the weather is usually perfect, but standing around the zoo at midday, it's hot. That means lots of animals are sleeping -- proof enough that they are smarter than us! I saw quite a few vacant cave entrances. Still, I was able to  sight and photograph several animals. An early morning or late evening visit might have been smarter. They were open until 9 PM.

To be continued. Remember, for a closer look, click the photos.

Giraffes, San Diego Zoo

Panda, San Diego Zoo

More Koi 錦鯉

Koi colors and movement beneath the branches of plants and shadows of trees form a complex layered design.

Japanese Garden at Fuller Gardens, North Hampton, NH

Koi 錦鯉

Some days, I'm not much impressed with koi but during my recent visit to the Japanese Garden at Fuller Gardens, I could not stop watching them. You can read more about koi here.

Stone Wall

This stone wall is the backdrop to the koi pond inside the Japanese Garden at Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH.

Mountain Laurel and Fountain

I visited Fuller Gardens this weekend. Unfortunately, I left my camera at home; I used my cell phone instead. While I was there, a beautiful yellow bird was enthusiastically bathing in this fountain in the Front Garden. This particular garden is loaded with roses (yet to bloom)  and ringed by perennials. Behind the fountain, are mountain laurel and tall trees that encircle the Japanese Garden. The blossoms on mountain laurel always remind me of cake decorations. Click on the hotlink above for a close-up of mountain laurel.

Can you see the wee chipmunk beneath the mountain laurel? 

Visit This Summer
Fuller Gardens is well worth a visit any time but should be a real treat in the summer when the 2,000+ rose bushes are in bloom. Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Endurance

All the knots and scars on these trees demonstrate age and endurance. They are quiet majesty.

Yesterday was the first of a three-day plein air class. It was a good day. The weather was perfect. Not one drop of rain -- rain and watercolor do not go well together. It was hot but not unbearable, especially since I was lucky enough to find a lovely spot in the shade. I was delighted to discover two beetles (June bugs?) on a tree trunk and even happier when they did not fly away. Then, I realized these were shells left behind after a molt. Note the crack on the back where the growing bettle climbs out. It's amazing that it can squeeze out of such a small opening.
P.S. I did some searching online. This is most likely a cicada shell. Check out this Wikipedia posting complete with a short video of a cicada molting!

Tiny Bee

For a closer look, click on the photo.

Breakfast for Two

What Could Bee More Perfect?