Summer Full Summer Moon
Zoos have their detractors, but to this guy they stir a sense of wonder. Two star tortoises walked their sandy space at an elegant trot. Made me wonder what speed seems like to a tortoise. Were they flyin’? Hey, dude, slow down. Not sure, but when the tortoise in front slowed, the other, tail-gating so close that his head was under the rear of the others shell, would bite the leader on the right leg. This always made the other guy surge ahead.
Not far from these guys a lone komodo dragon hung behind a tree, his forked tongue flicking in and out, carrying scent inside to his olfactory sensors. He looked ornery and ready to act on it. Just beyond him otters slept next to each other, a couple belly up, legs splayed out, the picture of contentment. Gibbons swung on their impossibly long limbs from branch to branch, occasionally letting out their ear piercing and maniacal cry. Right next to them was a tree kangaroo. You’ve never heard of them? Neither had I, but there he was, up in the tree no less.
On the Minnesota Trail the wolverines were active. They dug in a hole with great vigor, one pacing in the stream while the other worked, then shifting places.
Ruth and Gabe loved the coral reef tank filled with all manner of fish in colors so exotic no painter could accurately depict them. They would be called slaves to bright colors if they did.
After lunch we went on a mono-rail ride. That’s ok, a novelty, but better for the little ones than for me.
Our last stop was the Grizzly Coast exhibit, a batch of animals native to the Kamchatka Peninsula. The grizzly bears captivate every one. One guy swam in the water, making a play for the salmon at the bottom of the pool, but not a very serious play. He had been fed earlier. Just keeping his reflexes sharp.
We were there right at four hours which wore Grandpa out. Now a nap.