An actual post that isn't lame! (AKA the Zoo Post)

So apparently in order to see the most animals you need to get to the zoo right when it opens (OMG, writing that sentence makes me want to write it in "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" talk, resisting the urge) Because a ton of animals were out, not to mention I got a killer parking spot (which says something because it's Seattle), and the sun was shining.

I think this however precludes anyone with multiple small children (no offense meant, just an observation) from attending at that hour so I'll let you live vicariously through my photos below. The last two are kinda morbid so stop before that if you're squeamish. However, I haven't counted all the photos so you'll have to guesstimate (I am so generous).

First were the South American Penguins who had just come out for the morning with their two trainers. Apparently if you're able to make it on a Friday morning that's when they feed them the live trout and make them catch their breakfast.

They have a lot of art all over the zoo, (they actually have a downloadable walking map to see it all, here) but I love this piece. Each fish is inscribed with a donor's name.

Because I'm positive you really wanted to see the back of a peacock.

Okay, fine, here's the front.

Jaguar! It was so neat to see the jaguar out and really awesome that I was able to photograph it when it came that close.

(Insert lame Toucan joke here) (Also I think it's a pygmy, so insert lame pygmy Toucan joke here. Do those exist?)

The giraffes didn't come that close but I tried.

All I remember is that the yellow one is a weaver bird. I tried to take a picture of one making a nest but it came out too dark because they build their nests in the trees and the sun was out.

Okay you know the corpse flower? Yup, pictured above, not fully bloomed though so I can't really tell you if it actually smells like a corpse. (someone has to do this stuff for you) I just took a picture of it because the leaves are so cool. All of those leaves come off one shoot. I am not kidding you.

This? This is an actual vanilla orchid on it's way to blooming.

And this is actually a carnivorous plant. See all the black dots? Those are gnats. Still not kidding you.

Okay, fine I'll be nice. If you're squeamish stop reading now, seriously.

I took these pictures because I was astonished to see this stuff. (Although now I don't know why I was astonished, I mean I know animals eat this stuff) But it's what the animals eat so c'est la vie.

Rats. Maybe the only way some people would like to see them.

These are the guinea pigs.

They also had whole baby chicks, whole rabbits and baby mice. I didn't take pictures of those. I figured these above would convince you. I was told they were killed humanely, cleaned and then frozen for storage.

Don't you all want to go to the zoo with me next time? :)