Monday, January 27, 2025

Basking at the Phoenix Zoo

Denis and I boarded the Dial-a-Ride bus and headed to the Phoenix Zoo last Thursday. It was a beautiful day but cold. Get ready to laugh-- it was in the low 60s (16°C) with a biting cold wind. Now I know as well as y'all do that temperatures in the 60s really aren't cold, but they are if you've lived in the desert for years! Remember, I'm the weirdo who's perfectly comfortable sitting in the pool with my book when it's 120° (49°C). I don't do cold. 

But I did Thursday because it was the first time since late last spring that Denis and I had been able to go to one of our favorite places, the Phoenix Zoo. We were hoping to see the two lion cubs, but they were hiding. Instead we saw plenty of other critters, most of whom were snoozing and basking in the sun. Let me share some of the photos I took.


The javalina were one of the few active critters.


There was plenty of action in the prairie dog enclosure.


There were three egrets hanging out with the prairie dogs. You can see how breezy it was by this egret's feathers.


This turkey vulture was also keeping an eye on things.


A face only a mother could love.


It was chilly enough that even the pigeons were finding sunny spots to warm up in.

The Phoenix Zoo participates in the Arabian oryx breeding program and has celebrated 240 births. The Zoo contributed to the first oryx re-introduction effort in the Arabian peninsula.


Even the tortoises were snoozing in the sun.


This mandrill must be having a good dream; he's smiling.


African painted dog


There's always something in bloom in the Sonoran Desert.


One cheetah was strolling in the sun.


While the other was taking a nap.


One of my springtime favorites, the brittlebush.


Please do not disturb the maned wolf.


I wouldn't disturb the jaguar either if I were you.


Do jaguars snore?


Blooming rosemary


This is the first time I've seen a Visayan warty pig.


The zookeepers were keeping a close watch on a pair of rhinoceros hornbills who were billing, cooing, nestbuilding, and doing the deed.


Black swans


The siamangs were the most active, but this one was in a more contemplative mood.


Siamangs grooming each other.


Siamang Swing



Did we enjoy our day out? You'd better believe it! (And I think the smile on Denis' face is proof.) We had some time to wait for Dial-a-Ride, so we took a page from the zoo residents' handbook and found a patch of sun to bask in while we waited. Naturally, I spent my time reading. Like you folks, I'm never without a book!

I hope you enjoyed your little virtual tour of the zoo. Denis and I are already planning our next outing. Just this morning, he asked me, "When are we going to the Desert Botanical Garden?"

Good question!

11 comments:

  1. This is a great post. A face only a mother could love. I die! LOL. I love the zoo. I haven't been since brain surgery but I am pretty good now so I should make the trip!

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  2. Zoos aways leave me with mixed feelings. Although I enjoy seeing the animals, it makes me somewhat sad to think of them in their enclosures rather than running free. On the other hand, I look forward with happy anticipation to your report from the botanical garden.

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    1. When I was little, my mother and grandparents took me to the zoo, and I hated it. The animals were in small cages, pacing back and forth and looking very unhappy. It took me almost three decades before I went to another zoo-- the San Diego Zoo-- and I was heartened by how much things had changed. I still have a twinge going to them, but it does help knowing that zoos like the ones here in Phoenix are helping keep animals from extinction through breeding programs, education, etc.

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  3. So glad you and Denis were able to get to that incredible zoo. Love the photos of all of the animals, many napping in the warm sun. That black swan is gorgeous. And a few creatures I had never seen before. Hope that you get to the Desert Botanical Gardens soon. That look on Denis's face shows how glad he was to get out and about and have an adventure.

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    1. It was wonderful getting out and doing something non-medical.

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  4. So glad you had such a good time! And I totally understand how those temperatures can still be chilly, especially when it's windy. Good thing it was a sunny day to help offset that chill.

    And the important question: what book did you have with you? ;)

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  5. I'm so happy you and Denis had a chance for a nice trip out, Cathy! After all you've been through, what a nice thing! Thank you, as ever, for sharing your photos. I always feel that I've been there when you share them.

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