Up-close and Personal with The Wild Things

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When our family heard news of the Polar Bear Cub at the Toronto Zoo (Globe & Mail) we immediately shelved our Sunday nature walk plans and decided to go to the zoo instead. We planned to be at the gates when the zoo opened, alas, we got there around 30 minutes after that.  

Baboon

Huxley said, that all he wanted to do was cuddle with the little bear – knowing of course that would not be feasible.  

It was good planning to be there at the early morning hour – for about half an hour, there were so few people that we got to hang out right up against the window. I shot all these pix with a 18-55mm lens, so the little fellow was never very far away.

Baboon
Baboon

Baboon

Baboon

 Making contact:

Baboon

He spent a good 2 – 3 minutes trying to engage with Huxley – ah, what a wonderful experience. 

Eventually though, we had to move on, the amounts of people multiplied and we also wanted to see some other wild creatures:

Baboon

The Lions we agreed that cuddling up with one of these would be the coolest thing.. except maybe the purr, which would surely keep you from falling asleep, as it would possibly rattle your teeth, if they could only safely be kept as pets.. (giggle)

 

Baboon

Just hanging out with a baboon.

Baboon

Canada geese flying very closely over-head.

Baboon

Pacing back and forth with a Hyena along the front glass wall about 10 times.

 

This was the first time we visited the zoo outside of the busy summer season and it was a wonderful experience. Most of the animals were much more active than during the hot summer months. A large tiger was playing in it's cage like a kitten, rather than just lounging around. We got to chat with an elephant keeper and a polar bear keeper. We also watched one feed some tiny monkeys and had them clambering up her legs and back. Walking was easy because there is no snow on the ground. 

The orang-utans are as always a pleasure to see. There was a little tumble, as one of the older females slipped and fell ontop of the littlest monkey in the enclosure. The little one, named Nazir, was luckily not hurt, but he promptly ran to his mother to nurse, which he still does at age four. 

I hope that we get a chance to see the polar bear cup again in a few weeks/months. 

And for fun, here is the Polar Bear Cub playing with a barrel:

  

2011

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May the new year bring resolution to issues from 2010, good health and a steady flow of time to execute ideas. May it also bring peace and contentment with what we have, insight into how each and every one of us can help humanity and each other. 

May the year also be full of laughter, sunshine and rain, wind and storms, shelter and nourishment for all!

A big Hug!

 

Monika

A small herd of goats wanted…

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that is they could have come in handy. I just pulled enough weeds from the vegetable plot to feed them. Before leaving on the trip to Europe I made sure to put the garden in. DH was very diligent with watering and keeping the mean critters away, weeding however, was not in his plan. We have now been back 2 weeks, and only today did I have a chance to get up early to accomplish the rough task. I will have to go through each garden bed again and get the tiny little ones. There is also the raspberry bed and the raised garden bed. Tomatoes will also have to be staked and peas need to have a climbing structure attached as well. 

I love working in the garden at the wee hours of the early morning, before the sun hits the garden beds and before the sun strikes my back. Now that the sun is out and the boys are out on a hike I will retire to the basement to clean and purge… cross your fingers for me to find lots of goodies to let go.. must clean up space and free up shelves. It will feel very freeing and liberating. At the same time, I pulled a muscle this morning while weeding and hopefully I can get everything done that I set out to do.