Photos by:

Karen Holmquist

We went to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day than August 20^th to go to the Minnesota Zoo.  It was one of those rare summer days this year that wasn’t unbearably hot and humid. 

Ten of us met, under Nancy Sand’s expert guidance, and made our way to our first stop at the fairly new penguin exhibit for feeding time.  Did you know that the trainers actually keep track of everything the penguins eat?  (They get vitamins in their fish which they especially need in the fresh water environment)  Nancy stumped us with a question of, “how do you think they keep the exhibit windows clean?”   They sit in a floating chair with a squeegee. 

We moved pass the Siberian Tiger exhibit (new babies seen through live cam) onto the “World of Birds” show.  We were not disappointed with the soaring hawks, talking parrots, a money snatching bird, and of course, the American Eagle finale.

AND who would not enjoy the pre-historic adventure at the Dinosaur Exhibit.   Watch Out!  They might just spit at you.  They were complete with robotic movements, sound effects, and little dinosaur babies.  (I am actually watching Jurassic Park right now)

We all enjoyed lunch together before we headed to Discovery Bay to watch the Dolphin Training.  Sadly it is Bon Voyage to Semo and Allie.  They are headed to another zoo in September.

Some of the group decided to call it a day while a few of us “hard-core zoo goers” moved onto the Tropic Trail.  Nancy was able to take us “behind the scenes” into the endless tunnels.  Don’t get lost!

We also had time to enjoy the beautiful and colorful butterfly exhibit.  The Minnesota Trail proved to be an unexpected surprise. 

We saw the coyotes get a meal of dead mice.  They scurried around to make sure to get fed.  The wolves next door were very jealous!  Nancy said she had not been on the trail for this kind of a feeding. 

We decided that we needed to finish the Northern Trek before the zoo closed for the day.  Don’t tell, but, Nancy showed us how the prairie dogs loved to chew on long sheaves of grass.  Karen Hemmingson and I leaned over the fence with grass to the joy of the prairie dogs.  It was a great day!  Thanks to all of you that joined us at the Minnesota Zoo.

Karen Holmquist and Nancy Sand