Hogle Zoo Family Field Trip

Since we are spending 20 weeks learning about animals, it only seemed natural that we take a family field trip to SLC and visit the zoo. I think the last time we went was 4 years ago and we'll probably wait another 4 before we go again. Not because we don't like the zoo, but it is kind of pricey.

This was probably my best zoo experience ever. I have really only been to three I think, Point Defiance in Washington, Berlin in Germany, and Hogle in Salt Lake City. Hogle has a not exhibit called Rocky Shores where they keep their bald eagles, otters, seals, sea lions, polar bear, and grizzly bears. They also have some fish and sea life, but the big animals are the star attractions. The polar bear was doing circles, coming up against the glass and then standing up, pushing himself backward, and then coming around again to start all over. It was so cool to see and be so close to the huge bear! We also saw the Tiger fairly up close - closer than I've ever seen a tiger at least, and the elephants were also friendly. The rhinoceros had his nose right up to the glass where we could see him and we even saw the huge orangutan - at least for a 10 seconds before he ran away and hid. The gorillas were fun to see, and at the end we stopped by to visit one last time and found the big gorilla sleeping right next to the glass under his bed sheet. He wasn't getting out of his blanky for anything. It was neat to see. I had a good time, the kids had a great time, and Derek had a good time too. I'm glad we got there early because after about 11:30 the crowds started showing up and things got busy. It was nice to be at a zoo and not have to worry about losing your kids - at least for the first half.

The zoo is working on a new exhibit called African Savannah which will be awesome. They are going to put their zebras and giraffes and elephants and other savannah animals together in a big open area with lots of view points. The lions will be nearby, but just in a different area. makes sense. But because of the remodel, we didn't get to see any lions and their penguin area was gone. I don't remember what else used to be there. Still, the walking was enough for our little crew as it was, and we made out without any tantrums. They saved those for when we got home :)

This is my ONE photo of the huge orangutan and you can't even see his face or see that his is so big. I am disappointed, but still glad we got to see him. Joshua said, back we when were learning about them, that orangutans are his favorite animal.

This picture doesn't look clear because there were scratches on the glass - the only thing separating us from those two big horns!

Abigail is really in to posing for photos these days (this is not the only photo I have of her in the eagle's nest :)

Another photo opp

There is the polar bear from under the water about to pop up against the glass and them come back and circle around again.

And here he is again. He would swim against the glass until he got about to Joshua and then stand himself up and fall back onto his back.

The night before we tried to get Lukas excited about going to the zoo since this was his first trip. Derek mentioned there would be snakes, so all night long and the next morning Lukas kept telling me how he was going to bring his sword with him to the zoo and kill all the evil snakes. He just stared at this one... for a long, long time.

He also stared at this little tiny cat from South Africa. It really just looks like a little house cat, but I guess it belongs in a zoo. Lukas thought it was awesome.

But his favorite, by far, was this big cat! This tiger really put on a show for us, with swimming and scratching his head against the rocks and everything. It was really cool. This is NOT a really good photo, but I guess I still have the memory.