Jan 31 2009
San Diego Zoo ( part 1)
SD Zoo Skyfari
San Diego Zoo is nestled in the northeast corner of Balboa Park, a cultural and horticultural oasis right in the middle of the bustling seaport metropolis and in the heart of the paved city. It is right next to downtown San Diego, but it feels a world apart for me since if downtown is dominated by concrete and tall buildings, Balboa Park is dominated by museums, gardens, clubs, theaters, hundred-year old trees, sports facilities, fountains, and a forested like San Diego Zoo. The trees and the plants of San Diego Zoo are also its residents main source of food, such as eucalyptus for koala and bamboo for pandas.
Flamingo Exhibit
When you enter San Diego Zoo, it would be like in a crossroad as where to go. However, facing the entrace is the Flamingo exhibit, that usually people entering would proceed there and observe how the flamingos interact with each other.
Pensive Flamingo
Talking (?) Flamingos
Contortion of a Flamingo
Though San Diego Zoo is not as huge as its sister park, the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, yet walking the entire 40 hectares of the zoo would also give one a decent exercise. If one is already at the Flamingo exhibit, right next to its boardwalk is the Monkey Trails and Forest Tales Exhibit. It is a naturalistic home to more than 30 species of African and Asian birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, some of the world’s most exotic and endangered wildlife. Connecting to the Monkey Trails is the Gorilla Tropics Exhibit.
A Young Gorilla Playing
Adult Gorilla Watching the Young
From the Gorilla tropics is the Scripps Aviary, which is a young African rainforest complete with waterfalls and freely flying birds. From here, you can connect your walk to the Tiger River (sorry, I could not find my tiger picture), to Ituri Forest.
Hippopotamus Exhibit at Ituri Forest
Sleeping on Top of Each Other
Guenon At Ituri Forest
Playful Swamp Monkey
At Ituri forest, you can see eye to eye with the river hippos and you can see swamp monkeys play with otters. Once outside the Ituri Forest, you will see the Panda Bear Exhibit.
Giant Panda
Playful Panda
On top of Tree
More of San Diego Zoo to come……..
Wow! Great ahots. I love the vividness of the flamingos and the sleeping hippos photo.
I have never been to the San Diego zoo and would love to visit someday. The panda is adorable. Flamingos are beautiful. Great closeup shots. Thanks for sharing Betchai, I love this series.
I have echo everyone else and say these are some great photos! Although I’ve never been to San Diego, I have been fortunate enough to go to Africa and see many of these animals in their natural habitat. That trip has made it harder and harder for me enjoy zoos (and the tiny pens so many of the animals are kept in), but it looks like the San Diego Zoo does try to keep the natural habitat and space the animals are used to.
Wow I loved those colors, especially the salmon pink Flamingo. I am making you blogger of the week on qiman’s world so you have won the award today. Hugz
Though I’m a San Diego resident, I haven’t hit the zoo in ages; I think I’m going to need to do something about that. Thanks for the amazing pictures!