Ahhhhh - refreshing dust bath

Elephants spray each other with dust to deter bugs and to keep cool. They were blowing around a LOT of dust when I was watching them! The elephant exhibit is the newest major expansion of the Reid Park Zoo. The zoo even has an elephant web cam so if you are crazy about elephants, be sure to tune in! To read more about the exhibit and these wonderful animals, click here.

Nice cool sip ~

As I was watching visitors feed the giraffes (see yesterday's photos), I noticed that some of the giraffes paid no attention to the carrot treats and so I asked the zoo staffer about this. She explained that one of the females, Denver, was very aggressive with the other giraffes at snack time and nudges them to stay away. If there are a lot of people gathered to distribute carrots, the other giraffes will venture over to the platform to get a treat. Otherwise, they browse from their tree top baskets (photo 3).

Mmmm - snack time!

The Reid Park Zoo has a really fun giraffe encounter at 10:00 am (weekdays) where you can feed the giraffes some tasty carrots. It is just amazing to be that close to them and they have really really long black tongues! Weird!!

Also check out the 3rd photo - the longest eyelashes I have even seen - beautiful! To learn more about the zoo's giraffe, herd, click here.

Too much beer, yesterday, big bear?

Oh boy - looks like a little too much Superbowl fun!
This is one of Reid Park Zoo's two Andean bears. I don't know if this is Worf or Lucy but whichever one it is, it was definitely siesta time. Soft grass, warm sun, and a rock for a pillow.... dreamland! To learn more about the zoo's Andean bear, click here.

Ancient and armor-plated ~

This female rhinoceros looks so amazingly ancient! And for all of her massive bulk it seems to me like her feet are rather small to support all of that weight. The rhino's name is Yebonga and she was born in 1973. She lives in Tucson's Reid Park Zoo. Did you know that a group of rhinos is called a "crash?" To read and learn more about Yebonga, click here. 

Sky writing ~

I was taking photos of the interesting storm clouds that accompanied our recent rains. Until I downloaded the photos I didn't realize I had also captured this sign outside the "Y" building on Prudence. Makes for an interesting message, don't you think?

Our latest WINNER!

Ah - here's the right way to start off the cold and dreary month of February -- I'm happy to share with you the warm smile of our latest "Where is it?" contest winner! Meet Elizabeth who hails from New Albany, Mississippi but who once lived in sunny Tucson. She was the first to identify the beautiful downtown headquarters building of Wells Fargo Bank. Top shot is  an homage to our wonderful and dramatic big horned ram featured on the t-shirt. Bottom is, of course, Elizabeth. CONGRATULATIONS!