THE ZOO PARENTS PICNIC – 2012
Last night was the annual Zoo Parents Picnic. Since most of the members of the family are Zoo Parents, and since the picnic falls either right before of after my niece’s birthday we use it as the gathering spot to help her celebrate. Yesterday we were worried about being rained out. And just as I entered the zoo grounds we had a 45-second rainstorm with giant rain drops that left 3-to-5-inch rain splots on the ground before the clouds parted for the coolest and clearest evenings ever.
To be a Zoo Parent you have to annually sponsor one of the Zoo Animals. I’ve been a sponsor of the zoo’s meerkats for the past six-years. And this year they’re the spoke-animals for the zoo’s recycling program.
The Zoo Parents begin arriving for the evening as the day visitors are departing … (4:30 to 5:00) … and have a rare opportunity for an evening stroll through the grounds.
One of the big attractions of the evening was the Sea Lion Sound, which is the world’s first underwater seal and sea lion display in the world. The keeper who was there assured us that the cavorting mammals did see us watching them through the glass … and the only reason they cavorted in front of the glass was because they are Mother Nature’s natural clowns and showoffs.
The great apes are Mother Nature’s second natural showoffs. 
And an illustration of who’s watching who at the zoo …
That photo is one I call Opposites Attract! The cute little girl is my new great-niece Nichole. OK, all at once … “Heh, heh, heh, would you like a Walnetto, little girl?”
And this is Nephews² — my nephew Mike and his son Jake riding the Zoo Trainline around the grounds.
And as the sun began to set, I caught this shot of a lone lioness with glowing eyes.
And also the Zoo Moon over Big Cat Country …
Posted on September 22, 2012, in LIFE WITH BOB and tagged birthdays, family, great apes, sea lions, zoo moon, Zoo Parents Picnic. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
... a somewhat unknown or perhaps imaginary actor, writer, director, producer, photographer, friend, brother, uncle and all round good fellow that you really should get to know because he lives with that most glamorous fourpaw Mademoiselle Renee. (Mlle. Renee for short)
This was most enjoyable! You must be so proud of your little meerkats–they are doing a great thing with their work for recycling!
Sea Lions are always my favorites, and they absolutely do show off and love attention. I’ve found that to be true even when they are in the wild. They are natural-born performers.
The picture of Nichole is WONDERFUL! I love it. And it’s nice to see your nephews, too.
It was the most enjoyable evening ever. I like it because the all the caregivers for the animals from the Zoo Director on down to keepers, vets and dietitians are there to talk to the people and answer any questions we might have. And they all have a special bond with the animals in their care.
Once again, you are STL’s best ambassador!
Well, it’s a world class facility, but no one ever gives credit to the people responsible for it. And I even forgot to credit the kids who work summers as docents and the old retired men who work as engineers on the trains. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic retirement job for when Romney becomes president and Akin is in the Senate?