San Francisco Zoo - Birds

Flamingos never cease to amaze me-- they're a whole lot of bright pink bird impossibly balanced on tall, spindly legs.  The flock at the zoo stares you down like no lawn ornament ever could....

Peacocks are another of natures great displays of bright colors, and they wander around the walkways right next to you at the San Francisco Zoo!

A waldrapp ibis perched high above in the African aviary.  These birds were held sacred in ancient Egypt, but are now critically endangered.

Happy Thursday!

San Francisco Zoo - Giraffes and Polar Bears

Giraffes have always been one of my favorite animals.  I don't know why, but they always seemed like a friendly, gently sort of animal, and the ones at the San Francisco Zoo didn't disappoint.

Polar bears, and bears in general, have somehow grown near and dear to us.  We've only seen one truly wild black bear in the wild (and he was in a BIG hurry to get away from us), but we're always on the lookout when we're up in the Sierra.

Happy Tuesday!

San Francisco Zoo - Patas Monkeys and Chimpanzees

The Patas monkeys and chimpanzees were two favorites from our trip to the San Francisco Zoo last weekend.  We ended up visiting the ground-dwelling Patas monkeys a few times throughout the day, and loved their antics every time.

The chimpanzees were lounging in the warm sun when we came by.  I can't blame them-- it was a gorgeous day in the middle of what seems like weeks and weeks of rain!

San Francisco Zoo - Western Lowland Gorillas

Last Sunday, we went to the zoo for the first time in a long time.  I had been to the San Francisco Zoo once before, when we first moved to California and my brother (who loves animals and wildlife) and his now-wife visited.  I still can't quite get over the peacocks wandering around freely, but it's a nice little zoo, and I was pleased to find that they've been busy upgrading the animals' environments and exhibits since my last visit.  As always, my camera was by my side, and I came home with a wealth of "captive" wildlife shots.

I loved photographing the lowland gorillas-- like most primates, they're incredibly expressive, and you can almost tell what they're thinking....

My husband Josh calls this one "The Modern Thinker".

One gorilla was lunching in a tree, and this photo makes me smile every time-- perhaps the grass needed a little hot sauce or some ketchup...

Have a great weekend, folks!