So I woke up today with a horrible sunburn. No, I am not happy about it. Yes, my phone case is a Gameboy. Turns out the weather on Saturday was deceptively cool. The next morning, my chest, face, and arms were bright red and burning.
We did, fortunately, bring sunblock with us for the trip. We also, unfortunately, forgot to put it on before leaving this morning too.
And it is a long trek around the San Diego Zoo in the sun.
We did, fortunately, bring sunblock with us for the trip. We also, unfortunately, forgot to put it on before leaving this morning too.
And it is a long trek around the San Diego Zoo in the sun.
First, we have to get there. So Mom and I took a stroll past the Padres stadium to see about catching a wire trolley.
We got kinda lost in a not-so-good-looking part of town, so we turned back and caught a cab out to the zoo instead. I even paid the fare!
We got kinda lost in a not-so-good-looking part of town, so we turned back and caught a cab out to the zoo instead. I even paid the fare!
The first animals we went to see were the bears. They are my favorite! This guy was one of two, big Grizzly brothers. We watched them splash in their little pond for awhile. There was also a Sun Bear next door, but he was away at another zoo, meeting his new mate for the very first time!
Next, we visited the animal Mom most wanted to see - the panda!
There's a big new section at the zoo surrounding these guys where all the Asian animals live. There was also a red panda, and some strange deer-like animals and a lot of snakes.
This panda was about 20 years old, almost the same age as me! I didn't know they lived that long!
Next is the cool part. This pic is of the mama panda...
There's a big new section at the zoo surrounding these guys where all the Asian animals live. There was also a red panda, and some strange deer-like animals and a lot of snakes.
This panda was about 20 years old, almost the same age as me! I didn't know they lived that long!
Next is the cool part. This pic is of the mama panda...
...and this pic is her baby! His name is Xiao Li Wu, which means "Little Gift". He was very shy, so we had to be extra quiet.
He was also very playful, and liked to climb on things. Here he is imitating what his mom was doing, and later he crawled up on the platform with her, but we had to move on.
At the gift shop, I bought a tiny stuffed panda wearing a San Diego Zoo shirt for my little sister, Makalee.
He was also very playful, and liked to climb on things. Here he is imitating what his mom was doing, and later he crawled up on the platform with her, but we had to move on.
At the gift shop, I bought a tiny stuffed panda wearing a San Diego Zoo shirt for my little sister, Makalee.
After the Asian animals, we went to see the African animals. The best picture I took all day was of this little meerkat. I love how he was sitting on the mound, watching all the people.
There were also huge elephants, zebras, rhinos, lions, warthogs, antelope, flamingos and all kinds of other exotic birds, and for some reason a kangaroo.
But my favorite African animal is coming up next. Can you guess ibe
There were also huge elephants, zebras, rhinos, lions, warthogs, antelope, flamingos and all kinds of other exotic birds, and for some reason a kangaroo.
But my favorite African animal is coming up next. Can you guess ibe
If you said giraffe, you are absolutely right! I love giraffes!
Did you know they have the same number of bones in their neck as we do? Their's are just much bigger.
Also, their tongues are 18" long!
Did you know they have the same number of bones in their neck as we do? Their's are just much bigger.
Also, their tongues are 18" long!
Those two young ones (above) were little, but still about 6' tall. This big guy was probably closer to 12'. They are gigantic creatures!
There was a female there who was pregnant, and the zookeepers said she could give birth any day! I begged to stay and see if she had her baby then, but it was hot and late and we had to go.
Fun fact: since they are so tall, they give birth standing. The baby drops like 5' to the ground! Welcome to the world, little fella!
There was a female there who was pregnant, and the zookeepers said she could give birth any day! I begged to stay and see if she had her baby then, but it was hot and late and we had to go.
Fun fact: since they are so tall, they give birth standing. The baby drops like 5' to the ground! Welcome to the world, little fella!
The San Diego Zoo also had an awesome Animal Ambassador program. We even saw one pair walking through the zoo with their human handlers!
This explains it better than I can.
When we were finally in the hotel for the night, we were surpised to see a boat launching fireworks in the harbor.
I had forgotten it was Earth Day!
What a perfect time to visit the zoo! And a perfect way to end day 2.
I had forgotten it was Earth Day!
What a perfect time to visit the zoo! And a perfect way to end day 2.
All Day 2 Photos