January +70 Degrees=Zoo Day!

This morning, while I was watching the news and drinking my cup of coffee, I heard the weatherman say that it was going to be nearly seventy degrees today.  I knew the moment he said it that I would be spending my day outside... how could I not? So, the next question would be where?  Of course, I decided to go to my favorite place on the planet, the Oklahoma City Zoo!  So, I took Larger Child off to school, came home, packed up myself and Smaller Child, and after a few errands, headed off to the ZOO!!

By the time we got there, it was a crisp 55 degrees.  Within less than an hour, we were both peeling off our jackets and breaking a sweat in the GORGEOUS sunny day! The animals seemed to be enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures as well... I managed to get a few really great pics today of our fellow furred, feathered, scaled, and shelled Earthdwellers.  I have included some of my personal favorite friends at the Zoo.  There are several I like to make sure and see, but these guys, well, they hold a special place in my heart for one reason or another.

We started in the Children's Zoo.  Smaller Child LOVES the goats.  Each time we have visited he has to approach each one and say hello, give them a pat-pat and a kiss.  He repeats the process when it is time to leave with a "bye-bye" instead. 

We also spent some time with the chickens....

My favorite part of the barn at the children's zoo is practicing animal sounds with Smaller Child.  He's got goat and sheep down, he thinks donkey is hilarious, and I about peed my pants listening to him sound like a pig. 

We left the barn, bought a cup of nectar and went to feed the lorikeets.

They are lovely, and friendly and make SC giggle... so of course they are alright in my book! They were a little feisty today though.  But that just made for more laughs from the both of us!

After we left the Children's Zoo, we snuck in to the small Aviary building that I adore.  There is hardly ever anyone in there, and it is one of those places that the longer you are there the more you see.  The birds are exotic and friendly and so interesting to watch.  This guy in particular charmed me today.

We headed off to see the "Maaaoows," or the cats for us laymen, next. They are breathtaking, and I think the warm temperatures had them a bit fired up as well.  There are three tigers there that were born the same week as Smaller Child.  Every time we go, I try and visit them.  For some reason, I feel a kindred connection to them with the birthdates being so close, though I am afraid they have far surpassed SC in growth at this point.  Here is one of the beauties... (remember he is only 18 months!) Just to be in their presence is definitely life-affirming.  It is a charm and a blessing.

As we were walking from the cats to the "Ooo-aah-ooh-aahs" (primates) we noticed how "nuts" the squirrels were today.  I am not sure if they are just being very tamed by the visitors, or if it was the weather, but I had never seen them quite so out there. 

I gave the squirrel a couple of goldfish crackers, EB decided it was one too many, and he took it back.

Then we stopped to visit a couple of our cold blooded friends.  The komodo dragons were introduced to the zoo as babies about a year ago.  We have been watching them grow.  They are about twice the size of Smaller Child now!

 And our favorite tortoise friends had babies that hatched this summer.  The Galapagos' Tortoises are still teeny, and quite frankly, precious.

Then, of course, there is the gardens! No matter what time of year it is, the grounds are LOVELY.

This place never disappoints! I am not sure if I've ever had a bad time here, and today was no different. I have so many memories with Larger Child growing up at this zoo, and I adore making memories with Smaller Child now too.