After The Zoo

Saturday morning Cora played with the toys from the basket. A favorite is the measuring tape. Pull it out. Don't know how to measure or what to measure. Take it to Grandma to wind it up. Repeat.


It doesn't wind easy for an adult. I'm thinking of replacing it with a real one.


Grandma got out a hanging mirror so Cora could see her nose. She became fascinated playing with her Baby Bug and looking at Grandma and Grandpa in the mirror.


Here is a glance at Grandma.

She has a cute haircut. And angelic cheeks and looks so much older that just a few months ago. My girls are growing up to fast! I guess that is so I get to see them grown up.

A new park needed to be explored. It is Independence Grove, Lake County Forest Protection District.

In the afternoon we went to a different playground. New experiences. The chair was a good place to let a grandpa recover from a day at the zoo and watch his self described best friend play.

A spring mounted seahorse! Just like the one at the zoo.

Grandma stays close. It is designated a "2 - 5 year old area". Of course 2 to 5 year olds can't read; someone needs to keep them in the correct area.

Acres of shredded rubber. (probably toxic from China) Makes for no skinned knees. A zoom lens is great for getting candid pictures. Except for Cora's acute camera awareness.

Waving at Grandpa from the bridge.

Sunday morning Grandpa got Cora up. I carried her into the living room and stood her down. When her feet hit the floor she said, "Grandpa, I don't have socks."

After breakfast Cora's family came to get her. Hazel is so cute, as Cora will tell anyone who will listen.
Grandma made the "bug sacrifice" and took Hazel so Mom and Dad could throw some love on Cora.

And Cora reciprocated! These two are both happy.

Then Cora had to throw some lovin' on her little sister and vice-versa.

They genuinely smile at each other. I think they really love one another.

A little playground action. That little turd throwing rocks is a fine example of a future criminal. An example of why someone has to be with a kid on the playground. Enough of him look at my girl waving at Grandpa from the bridge.

A Day At The Zoo

We got to keep Cora while Julieanna, Geoff and Hazel went to Minneapolis. They are looking for a new home for this next year. We planned to take her to the Milwaukee County Zoo on Friday.
Kyle called on Thursday to see if he could bring Logan over to play with Cora. We told him we were going to the zoo and asked if they wanted to go with us. The answer was, "Yes."

I suppose an animal doesn't have to be in a cage to be interesting. This gull landed on an vehicle roof and I walked right up to get close picture.

As you can see, the day was overcast.


Here are our stars! They greet each other like long lost friends with "hi" and hugs. As evidenced by their attire, it was cool. 58 degrees and windy. Blowing out of the NNW at 20 to 26 mph.



"Another picture?" say Cora's eyes as she looks at Logan.



"It never ends, Cora." said Logan.

At the primate house. Cora is twirling her hand and saying, "Come on. Come look, Grandpa."

The stately mandrills. Aloof.

Grandma hold Cora on the rail as a offering to the Giant Orangutan.

Not really! But Cora was not happy when he came to the window right in front of her.


He is rather menacing.


These little fellows were much less threatening.

This one's tail is four feet long. He has red, white, brown and black hair.

The iguana is about four feet long also. Is that a magic number?

The girls enjoyed the fish and reptile display.

The blue snake. It looked fake sitting motionless.

In this dark corner I needed a flash to see the girls but you see what is in the tank.

Without a flash the fish are mostly streaks of color. They are about .. are you ready for this? ... FOUR inches long.

This little frog is a poison dart frog. Bright blue and yellow.

The regal tiger. We were not close at all. A big zoom brings him in.

A small mammal and domestic, the ground hog.

A large rhinoceros grazing with his nimble lip.

Many "t-cocks" as Logan knows them. They are very tame and beautifully colored.

Incredible sheen and color.

I find the detail of color in birds fascinating. These are nearly metallic and so iridescent.

The giraffes are a favorite of the girls and Grandma too.

The hand rail was planned with two year-olds in mind. They had to duck under it to see.
Neither complained about it though.

The African elephants were a hit. They don't do much; but they are impressive just standing there.

Ruth has long, long lashes. They are -- FOUR -- inches long.

The "hopapopamis" is cause for excitement as he lumbers across the compound. They don't look ferocious.

B-O-N-G-O, bongo was his name-O.

The cheetah was at a great distance also. Thankfully there is a 12X zoom on my camera.


As Cora said, "Grandpa's happy."


I am pretty sure Cora is happy too.


She also said, "Grandma is happy too."


The red-tailed hawk is a beautiful bird. And I think his eyes are pretty.

It took a while to get Cora to see the sea-horse. But she finally did and got a huge smile when she saw him waving in the current.

Harbor seals and a polar bear do their circuits. The seal circled the pool and the bear paced in the den.

The prairie dog exhibit had more peacocks and peahens than prairie dogs. I only saw to dogs, but about eight birds. I think they compete with the prairie dogs for the grain in the feed.

These bright flamingos standing on the lawn gently swayed in the high winds.

The colobus had one red shop rag to play with. They would play keep away with it and then swing and wave it at the one they stole it from.