Gone to the Western Carribean

AzBuddy is leaving tomorrow for a Carnival Cruise; starting in Miami with stops in Cozumel, Belize, Mohagany Bay at Isla Roatan and Grand Cayman Island. Have found out that use of WiFi is $$$$$ for our budget. I have swam with sharks and with sting rays and am eager to swim with dolphins. Other than that I think we will just hang out on board and walk the shore on our own. When AzBuddy returns it will be to blog about this hoped for great vacation.

Meet the Reid Park Giraffes

The Reid Park zoo has three giraffes in the Giraffe Encounter. Meet Elinor, born in '99 and Denver and Texas born in '89. All three are females. The highlight of their day and the zoo experience of the children is the 10 o'clock hand feeding. Giraffes are the tallest animal of the African plain. They are the "lookouts" as the other animal watch them for indications of predators. They actually have the same number of neck bones as humans - seven. They have a black tongue which is 18 to 20 inches long. This either frightens or delights the children.

Proud as a Peacock

The peacocks were very active at the Reid Park Zoo. Many were doing mating dances; not only spreading their magnificent tail feathers but rotating in circles, entertaining the audience as they hopefully attracted mates.

Expedition Tanzania -Reid Park Zoo

The new African elephant exhibit is worth the trials and tribulations of getting this family together. Although the two elderly long term elephant friends that went to San Diego in exchange for these will be missed, the new compound is great.

Family members are Mabu the large male, Lingile the mom, Samba the aunt, Punga the young male and Sundzu the baby.

I have added the photo of the Rhino.

The Big Cats @ the zoo,

The big cats at the Reid Park Zoo are easier to see than at the Sonoran Desert Museum. IMO.

And seem to have adequate if even better compounds. We have the lion family, Mom and Dad and 3 cubs born last July 28th. The two panther sisters lounge on a tree branch. The 2 tigers were separated and didn't seem to be happy about that. All were quite visible to the adoring public.

Big Birds at the Reid Park Zoo

Lots of BIG Birds at the zoo. I will not attempt to name them. Let it be contest for those who are curious to look them up yourself. You will find all of the identifications at the zoo at Reid Park.

This is a great visit for all ages of folks.

Family Fun at Reid Park, Tucson, Az.

Black Crowned Night Heron at Reid Park, Tucson

The next several blogs will be of photos taken at Reid Park during a photo class. Learning to use my Canon 'point 'n shoot' off auto.

The is a male and female black crowned night heron and male in the tree.

They must be very used to people.

Park was very busy with families, photographers and dog walkers.

Serious about Cereus

Cereus is a genus of cactus. The term is used for elongated cactus often with columnar growth.

The term cereus is Greek for torch. They bloom in early spring; often blooming at night but as you can see from these photos they often keep their bloom though the early morning. Each bloom survives for only a day or so. A neighbor counted 135 blooms in his front yard.