Dear Liza,
Visiting the zoo with kids can sometimes feel like visiting wild animals while accompanied by wild animals. But as my grandkids become older, taller, and more human-like, I can actually pay proper attention to the animals that call the Oregon Zoo home.
There is a family of Snowy Owls that had tiny chicks a few months ago, and the chicks are now as big as their parents. They are only identifiable by their spotted baby-plumage. Aren’t they adorable?
Naked Mole Rats are not exactly cuddly, but they are interesting. Besides, anyone who likes broccoli can’t be all bad.
In the Cascade Canyon area, there was this very large, very hibernating bear… about two feet away. We went by on tiptoe.
We found an ibis hanging out with the flamingos and the spoonbills. Kestrel just finished learning about them in her Egypt studies, but this was the first live one she had ever seen. He was delightfully ancient .
And finally, after climbing on Jim Gion’s lion statues and riding the Merry Go Round, we spotted this odd rhinoceros in the train station. He looks like he has had enough of television, too.
I get you, Rhinocerous.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 