San Diego Zoo

 The big cats were amazingly active!  Wow!
We couldn't believe how silently they jumped.  The mountain lion is all over north America.  It is so big.  The snow leopard gave us quite a show.

So thoughtful!

San Diego Zoo

San Diego is only an hour south of San Clemente.  This was on the bucket list of Ken and Ann and I have always wanted to go to San Diego so away we went.  Ann’s cousin Wayne gave us a break on the tickets...much appreciated.  This zoo is in the middle of the city.  It was built in 1916 and of course has changed and improved over the years.  One of the most interesting features is that it is actually a botanical garden with plants from all over the world growing and being harvested to feed the exotic animals housed there. 

 The layout of the zoo is a bit mind boggling.  There are 3 levels and the 2 dimensional map is not easy to read.  No problem...you can ask guide volunteers or take a bus tour which gives you an idea of how to get around.  We saw many animals that are rare.  It was a fun day and made me feel like a kid again.  We didn’t actually get a good image of the rest of San Diego. It was very foggy as we drove in and when we left it was rush hour so we just wanted to get out of there.  Oh well, the zoo was wonderful!  This zoo is a sanctuary for thousands of animals and is also a living classroom.  It has many rare plants as well as animals and is involved in worthwhile projects and studies. 

I can't remember the names of some critters!  There were many that I had never heard of but  also lots that were familiar.  And always fascinating. 

Nothing like taking your camels for a walk!  We saw someone walking a cheetah on a leash as well but I couldn't get a picture.  

Big Baby!

Meerkats...so cute!

Wart Hog...so ugly!

So colourful and noisy!

So unreal looking and quiet.

Tall and graceful.

Eating leaves...could hear him chewing.