A Wild Nineteen Years

 

This young lady turned 19 on Sunday.  Last year of the teens at the Crawford Clan.  She is going to start dog training school in one month and then is ready to fly the coop.  She is not quite sure where she is headed, but she wants to get an apartment with a couple of friends.  (sigh)  I know it is time, but she's the last one. (sigh)

True to Kayla's nature she wanted to visit the zoo on her birthday.  So we picked Monday, so it wouldn't be too busy.  We were right, it was a beautiful day.

 I couldn't resist the tortoise and the hare picture.  I think the hare is in the lead right now.

 Our favorite exhibit was the gorillas.  This guy was swinging around the enclosure and strutted his stuff right in front of us.

It was hard to get a picture of his face because he kept looking away from us, but he was impressive.  Kyle still thinks he could beat him in an arm wrestling competition.  Ha!

 

The koalas seemed extra cuddly to me.

 The kangaroos were in this enclosure that you could go into and walk around with them.  There were at least a dozen if not two hopping around.  And some cute little Joeys too.

 I was extra excited to see the polar bears, but they were not anywhere near the pool where I was hoping to get an underwater shot.  They were really hiding from the public.

But, the big brown bears were out playing in full force.  They are quite massive.  It would be very scary running across one of these in the wild.

 

 The lion and lionesses were very lazy, lounging around on this old plane in there exhibit.

 The big guy was too surrounded to get a shot, but I did get a pic of his paw.  Massive.

 It was around noon when were in the Asia area of the zoo, and the heat made it feel like we were on the Serengeti with them.

We got to watch a Cheetah show while there.  They brought out this fluffy ball on a string around the watering hole.  It was attached to a machine pulley.  They had the cheetah chase the ball around the watering hole to demonstrate how fast they are.  She was amazing to watch.

I still want to see a moose in the wild, but it was fun getting to look at her at the zoo.

They also just got a baby bull moose who was orphaned in Minnesota.  I want to come back and see him in a couple of years when his big antlers are on.

 

It was a fun day with the Fidgit.  I can't believe she is so grown up.  She has been a joy to raise.  She has been so sweet and loving since she was little.  She doesn't like to make her dad angry so has always tried really hard to be good.  She seldom got into trouble.  I hope she has a lot more in store for her.  She is looking for Mr. Right, I hope he is a great one.

Happy Birthday, little one.  You're only little in stature now.  (sigh)