Our Zoo Adventure - Day 2, some of it

So Saturday was a good day.  It started early, and Addie is not the easiest child to wake up.  Especially when she is really tired.  So, the 6am wake up call....Addie moved about 6:45.  Gotta love it!

Here are the pictures:

Started the day off at the Scott Aquarium - where we slept.  Look!!  The jellyfish pic turned up this time :)



Jellyfish Exhibit we slept next to.



StingRay

 

Shark thingie



Stork Nest atop.  Yes, Mariah, Storks are real :)

These 3 pics are from the Butterfly and Insect House. This was an amazing display as well! 

Adventures in the Cat Complex:

The girls were trying to "bait" the lioness to come to the window.  Apparently, sometimes she will pounce on the window if there is unsuspecting prey displayed. 

Mr. Big and Nala.  They played Mommy and Daddy to 2 younger cubs who were brought there a few years ago.  The "cubs" are still in the exhibit with them, they just are no longer cubs :)

Mama Tiger and Baby Isabella.  We did learn that Tigers have white spots on the backs of their ears to resemble "Eyes" in the wild.  If predators see the "eyes", they are less likely to attack from behind. 



Here is the Desert Dome.  This was an absolutely amazing exhibit!!  Opened in 2002, The Desert Dome cost $31.5 million to create!!  And honestly, worth every penny!!  It is the worlds largest indoor desert, (42,000 square feet on each level, 2 levels) and showcases plants and animals from 3 deserts around the world.  The variety is simply amazing.  All the glass and mechanical stuff make it able to sustain climate year round.  It also has 2000 gallon drums underneath to collect rainwater and use the rainwater inside, year round!  Honestly, incredible.  Inside / Underneath is the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit.  Which in itself, is creepy beyond all belief, but equally as intense and educational.  They have 1 of 3 remaining white alligators.   

 



Golden Orb Weaver Spider.  HUGE, and creepy!




Kipsplinger Antelope.  Super cute little guy




Kukaburra sits in the old gum tree, merry, merry king of the bush is he...




This guy seemed to have escaped his exhibit.  But don't worry, these children fed him, he will be ok :)

These pics are all from the Hubbard Gorilla Valley.  The girls were treated to a few "SMACKS" on the glass from the Gorillas.  It was pretty awesome to put your hand up to the print on the glass.  I also was pondering the theory of evolution while we visited the Gorillas.  I know what I believe, but I can sure see why some people believe what they do.  These are incredible creatures. 

 



Ok, so that is probably enough for right now, it is taking much longer than expected to finish uploading all these photos.  I'll do some more later.  Til then, have wonderful days