The World Famous San Diego Zoo

All the literature, magazine, books, and references to this wonderful zoo seem to be preceded by 'The World Famous'; it is certainly a well deserved moniker.  We arrived near 10am, and the huge parking lot was almost full; the zoo itself, not so much, since it's absolutely gigantic and seems to be able to absorb huge numbers of visitors.   As with any crowded venue, there's a crush at the ticket office, but we can just walk by, one of many privileges of an annual membership.

Today we just walked over to the SkyTrain and while joining the small line-up [dozen people at most]  this majestic swan swam up to check us out.

At the top of the SkyTrain is where the polar bears are: yesterday they were hidden, today, in full view and quite playful.  

Here we have a shot with the twin, Sister on left, brother in middle and the girlfriend at the far right. While the dynamic trio is always interesting for Joan and me, the dynamics have temporarily changed at this time of year as the girlfriend is going through many, once a year, hormonal changes.

For quite a while, the two girls were having fun playing together in the pool, but in the picture below, the brother is seeking some privacy from the sister...

Unperturbed, she just went back into the pool and did some swimming on her back to amuse everyone.

Next is our hopeful couple, moving ponderously with great calculation, trying to please and not offend; ah, the trials and tribulations of courtship.

Not far away, we arrived at the elephant acreage, a large area for very large and powerful animals.

This Asiatic Elephant is just resting his head and trunk on a tailor-made big rock.

Nearby we saw this lovely Jaguar, interested in the workmen just a few feet from the fence.

Further along the same path, we found this pair of Secretary birds.  One quite interested in the reflection in my lens,

... the other one preening after a bad hair day.

Next was an enclosure with three very large Condors, this one taking flight across their 'cage'.  Good but short flight, no soaring space available.

An nearer the zoo exit, this curious little meerkat, sunning himself while all the others were busy digging new tunnels everywhere.

The greatest benefit of membership, is that we can go for a short visit and return home for lunch; no need to walk until you drop, no need to see everything at one visit.

Probably the best reason for this zoo's reputation is the fact that they have a great conservation program, and strive to breed endangered animals so they can be returned to their native habitat when the climate for their survival is improved.  Their success rate is apparently very good.

I hope you'll join us, as we go back to the zoo for many more visits!