Zoo at the Zoo

Yesterday was a record breaking day in Omaha.  Temperature shattered the day-time high, setting a new high of 88 deg.  It also was sunny and very windy.  Not a good morning for a bike ride, so went to the zoo.

I arrived shortly after the gates opened at 9am.  Went over to the jungle and shot some photos.  From there, walked over to the desert dome.  It was already starting to get crowded in the dome. 

My rant:  The folks with wagons and strollers (some double-wides) that block the isles.  The families that "need" to walk side-by-side filling the isle.  Parking a stroller across the isle.  No common sense. 

After 1 1/2 hour, I had enough.  Was getting a headache.  The photo here shows people waiting  to purchase tickets and those waiting to show their passes.  It looks like that the zoo did not anticipate the huge crowd.  I was surprised, too.  Asked a CB teacher if there was some school "holiday", seeing all of the school-aged kids at the zoo. 

Another Visit to the Zoo - Roof Repairs Stalled

I needed to get out for a walk or bike ride today.  Roofers were supposed to arrive between 7 and 8 in the morning.  It I wanted to go to the zoo, I needed to leave the bouse at 8:30.

Was a little bit humid and overcast when I stuck my head out of the door.  I had already dressed in shorts and polo shirt, so decided is was a "Zoo" day.

Arrived at the zoo as the gates were opening.  Got a good, close-in parking spot.  The goal today was to get down to the petting zoo area.  Did a detour through the Desert Dome - since most of it was closed when I was in March.

I get busy shooting photos, I do not get the names of most of the animals/  Another visit to the zoo, I should stop to shoot the exhibit sign so that I can later match the animal to the photo.

Stopped to shoot some flower photos.  Most of the plants are NOT labeled on the zoo grounds.  That would be helpful.  For now, som eof my flora/florist friends generally supply the names after I post them on facebook.

All around of Bear Canyon I found these strange cheracters (see photo(.  From the name, I think it was some Asian sculpture.  (should have grabbed a photo of the sign).  No idea it this is a semi-permanent exhibit.

The Zoo Railroad was running (I was sure sections of the track was torn up a month ago).  Toured Bear Canyon,  Lower photo is the American Black Bear. Got a couple shots of a peacock showing off his plumes.  Peahens and chicks wandering the area around Sue's Carousal.

My 11am. my legs had enough.  Splurged (50 cents) to ride the tram up neat to the zoo entrance.  While it was overcast and not hot, I was sweating from the humidity.  Treated myself to a Blizzard on the way home.

When I got home, I found no roofers.  Not surprised.  Exchanged e-mails with the contractor's salesman.  He came to the house to apologize.  Guess the company has a new work scheduler - and not coordinating much with the salesman. Was hoping to get the crew to my house tomorrow.  Well - that was blown out of the water later in the afternoon - the house the crew was working on needed a new roof deck in addition to the shingles - so would not be getting to me tomorrow.

 He gave me more info about getting the broken window.  Have someone to work on that tomorrow - after I am home from breakfast.

Trip to the Zoo

It felt like May weather when I headed into town for coffee.  Thermometer on the car showed 52  degrees on July 3rd!  Donned a sweatshirt to keep warm.

The last couple days I had been thinking of visiting the zoo.  Cameras had been in the trunk of the car.  Problem was  the overcast skies and threatening rain.  Today was a clear day.

As I headed to the Zoo from coffee (about 9am), the temperature had climbed up into the upper 60s.  Great weather for walking around the zoo.  Had different sneakers as shoes - hoping that they would be better for walking at the zoo.

From my visit in March, I knew my 18-200 mm lens would be the best one for general photos.  Brought the new fisheye lens and the super telephoto just in case.  With all of the flowers in bloom, I wish I had grabbed the macro for the shoot.  Some of my flower photos were a little out of focus.  Also, I think I was relating on the auto focus too much.  Anyway, I was able to get some pretty good flora shots

As usual, there is lots of construction at the zoo.  There's  a whole new African Grassland exhibit being constructed.  Construction of the new exhibit derailed the Zoo Railroad.  Was sorry to see that as I was thinking of riding when I needed a break from my walking.

The zoo grounds are sprinkled with ornamental zoo creatures.  The Rhino at the Garden of Senses seemed to call me - use the fisheye lens and see what I get.  As you can see - I got an intersting photo of the rhino sculpture with my shadow.  Its one of the problems with the lens in bright sunshine - difficult to keep your shadow out of the photo (if you want to shoot with the sun to your back).  So, It almost looks like the rhino may change my shadow!

Next, I crossed the bridge to check out the koi in the pond and monkeys on the their island.  Across the bridge were the sea lions.  It was a good spot to test my legs.  Skipped the pachyderm exhibit - knew it would make the hike too long.  Had plenty of walking and hills to climb to get back to the car.

At this time, I could feel that I had gotten a bit dehydrated.  Stopped at one of the snack bars for a large cup of PowerAde.  Helped me a bit.  Bought the souvenir cup so I could get a reasonable refill.

The Madagascar exhibit was disappointing.  Too dark in the building.  So, it was on to the orangutan and gorilla buildings.  The orangutans seemed to be hiding.  Was able to get a couple good shots in the Gorilla House.

On to the Cat House.  I had skipped this house in March - had enough for the day.  Glad I checked it out today - got an awesome photo of the spotted leopard.  Was able to get some shots of tigers and lion.  Was productive visit to the Cat House.

It was able a climb the path back up to the entrance level of the zoo.  Legs were about toast by the time I was back up there.  Took a quick walk through the Aquarium (mostly to get more jelly fish shots).  I was after noon, the aquarium was packed with screaming kids.  Took my photo and glad to be out of there.  Stopped at the snack bar for a Powerade refill and hot dog. 

By the tie I left the zoo and walked to the car, my legs were like rubber.  I could hardly walk.  And, just what I needed, there was an idiot in a F 1500 pick-up parking to my left.  He had "aimed" the truck at the parking space.  The vehicle was over the line and caused some problems getting into the car. 

Had one more stop on my way home.  Stopped at the bike shop to show them the new fisheye lens.  Took a couple of photos inside the shop with the new lens.  Was going to visit longer but they were busy and I could hardly move.  Time for me to get home.

Slowly, I will get through all of the zoo.  I have not been in the Jungle this year.  Need to see the rest of the desert dome. There's still the Pachyderm Hill and the farm (and petting zoo).  The day also would have been a great day for a bike ride (temperature and light wind) but thinlk I ended up with a bigger work-out today hiking in the zoo.

Scoping Out the Zoo

Slept in today as no early morning chat for the next week.  Noticed a light dusting of snow on the grass.  Was looking for an early start for a trip to the Omaha Zoo.  But, with the cool morning, I waited until 11am to head to the zoo.

I have a couple of goals by visiting the zoo.  It would give me an excuse to get out of the house and walk.  The zoo would also be a great place to hone my photography skills.

Mostly sunny morning, but cool and windy.  My first venue in the zoo was the Desert Dome.  Was looking forward the the warmth and light in the dome.  Did not end up getting many photos there because major remodeling in the Desert Dome.

Next location I wanted to check out was the Lied Jungle.  That was a lost cause.  The cold outside air and the warm, humid air in the jungle fogged up my glasses and camera lens.  I was obvious that it would take a long time to stabilize the lens.  I exited the jungle and went to the Wild Kingdom Pavilion.

Must be school break because the zoo (and particularly this pavilion) was filled with kids.  On over to the aquarium.  This was the best place to refine my photography.  The various lighting, moving subjects, and shooting through glass had their own issues.  Still, I was able to get some decent shots.

Was going to check out the butterfly Pavilion, but was just too congested with parents getting kids out of strollers.  Decide to check out the Orangutan, Gorillas, and Bear Canyon.  By the time I had checked out these locations and shot some photos, my legs were getting tired.

Its not easy to get back from Bear Canyon to the zoo entrance.  Walking back through the Gorilla exhibit (more where outside at this time), and took the elevators up to near the Desert Dome.  Walking back from the entrance to my car, I had to stopped a couple times to rest my legs and knee. 

I ended up walking (with very few breaks) for 2 1/2 hours.  Much longer than I had originally planned.  Treated myself with a late lunch at Culver's.