Birthday

Well today is my birthday. I had a good birthday. My plein air outing was fun. Hubby brought home chocolate cake and Cherry Chocolate Chip ice cream. Yummy. But oh so fattening. But it didn't stop me from eating it. He also brought home a nice fresh still warm loaf of french bread.

The painting outing was very nice. Not too hot but a little windy. There were five of us, and we were scattered over the place. Met again just about 11:30 for lunch and were on our way home by noon.

I took a long walk around the place and tonight my ankle is burning. Will take a couple days to recoup. But I got some really nice photos. One was an in your face of the face of a roadrunner. He took a liking to me and stayed near. Even brought me a rock. Followed me to the next window and to the cage outside when I went there. They said he gets on their shoulders when they work in the pen. He as standing on a turtle or tortoise once but by the time I clicked the camera, he had moved.

I also went to the outside petting zoo. There were 2 goats, 3 sheep, and a mule/donkey. I was impressed by the mule. It does its business in the same spot every time. Keeps his pen clean. I told the keeper I wish my dogs were so considerate.

The sheep were not impressed with me, but the 2 goats came over wanting some attention. They kept getting closer and closer. I was leaning on the fence but decided they deserved a little scratching. That was what they wanted. Right up around where the horn pieces were. I loved being with them.

Then I wandered to the ponds where all the waterfowl were. Many ducks. Not as many as the time before. I swear that time there were thousands. Wall to wall so to speak. We are in the migration area so they come and go. That is the one area where the animals are free. The others in the refuge are unable to be put back into the wild. I got photos of the ducks bobbing for food (bottoms up).

I saw a mink (nasty looking like a badger). The two bald eagles...very regal. They know they are grand. A couple deer, a kangaroo rat who stayed right against the glass eating while I took a flash shot with the camera. He didn't even flinch. I even went inside the reptile house. Creeped me out. Didn't stay long and hardly looked at the lizard things and snakes. That area is where the rat was. I don't like them either but couldn't pass up his pose. And I was about 4 ft away from a bear with a glass window between us. I wonder how strong the glass is. Got some nice photos of the two bears but the windows are really dirty so.... The windows of the eagle pen are really dirty too and covered with one way film. Makes it almost impossible to get a good picture. And outside you have the problem with the wire cage.

Anyway it was a nice way to spend my birthday. Usually I write a funny poem for my birthday. I haven't yet but will get to it in the next day or too.

Click the photos to see a larger version.