The first animal that I saw was a Monarch butterfly flying beside the playground. I didn't see a whole lot of them the limited number of days that I have been here.
The classic M on Monarch.
Feeding on the pink flowers that made it a beautiful image to capture.
We saw Yaks, Llamas, Barbary Sheep but they were all sheltering in the shade away from the fence. Then we slowly walked to the other side of the park/zoo where the miniature train is located.
Train Wind Vane
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus). Interesting to see a swan with a yellow bill.
Riding on the train ($2 per person). Lots of little children were in the park today (and probably everyday during the summer).
Crossing the Otonabee River.
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) eggs.
Then there were the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) hanging around the Red-necked Wallaby. To see two ratites (large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin) from two different continents is so fascinating because geography and evolution had pushed to different parts of the world and they still had the ability to survive and thrive to this day.
In one of the aviaries were Red-billed Toucans, Scarlet Ibis and this Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus). Definitely a cool bird to see, especially because it inspires the Zazu character from Lion King.
Red-billed Hornbill
Not a captive bird, but the relatively 'common' Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) hanging around the picnic tables.
Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) - probably the handsomest animal in the park/zoo.
Like any zoos that I had been to, there always needs to be a place for domesticated farm animals. I'll never understand the psychology behind this set-up but hey, at least there are no wire fences between the animal and my camera.
Goat, a ruminant.
Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata), or should I say Barbary duck?
Officially moving into my grad student housing tomorrow, then my mother is leaving the day after, followed by the long weekend, and then it's time to go back to school!!!
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