In some wonderful news it seems the reports on the demise of the Jackson Zoo were greatly exaggerated. Apparently in late 2018 there was a financial crisis reported in early 2019 as a closure. Fortunately because this is turning into one of our favorite zoos it has been resolved and the above link celebrates 2019 as their centennial year. Horray!
Unlikely as it seems after my great experience with the baby Giraffe during last year's visit this year was even better with a spectacular display by a White Peacock. Some kids chased this guy into a little alcove by the enclosure that last year held the Elephants and now has the White Rhino. I quietly sat down and as he contemplated me I asked "Are you going to put on a show?" and he did. Opening fully he turned slightly to one side and then made a full 400 degree pirouette while I just kept taking photographs. One of my fellow retires really likes peacocks so by just photoshopping out the plastic spoon by his leg she got a wonderful Christmas present. Also note this guy is white and not pink eyed albino.
Also while I am busy taking photographs Lori is busy rescuing bird food and returning it to a tree it may not like anyway. Meanwhile all of us Yankeys need a Flamingo even if we do not have a home anymore.
The White wide mouth Rhino was having a hay feast before slipping into the mud hole for a cooloff and insect repellent coating. Watch this and the kids will now claim they need to be dirty.
Next door was a variety of savanah critters notably the Addra Gazelle. What appears to be a youngster that has not developed its full color also is missing a horn and mascarading as a unicorn.
Finally I did spend considerable time following the antics of the otters with the one here seeming to be conducting the water ballet.
While we were disappointed to miss the best of the Spring flowers at the Mynelle Garden our visit to the Jackson Zoo was fabulous. Unfortunately as I am writing this and trying to provide a link to their website I am being told the zoo is now closed. Bummer!
Our visit was not long after the birth of a giraffe so I spent a lot of time watching.
Soon after I arrived mom and baby moved out into the center of the enclosure and I was able to get a position with a background that almost looks natural. I could probably photoshop out the wall and bench behind them but the closeups really look like their natural environment without the bars or fences I fight in most zoos. The obvious love between mom and baby was just so precious.
When the kissy party finally broke up I had to move on to the rest of the zoo.
Mister Gator was about as active as I normally see them looking at me with one eye while basking in the sun. They may look like a log but if a tasty morsel gets too close they can move very quickly. Sort of like a snake in that regard but they are not real interested in moving on and leaving you alone.
These are most likely sandhill cranes although the pictures I see on the internet show a much brighter red area on the head. They were so busy posing for me I forgot to capture the identification sign.
Elephants were being featured in the main enclosure on this visit and the keeper offered one of them a branch while we were watching.
The Ostrich was also strutting around and posing. In case you might wonder why their feathers were so popular for ladies hats here is a closeup. I don't really get the whole thing with hats but I have never been a style nut anyway.
Finishing up this visit is a pair of Addra Gazelles, a really cool guy the Red River Hog, and a branch that looks suspiciously like a redbud in bloom, finally.