Friday, June 6, 2014 I had the fun task of being one of many chaperones accompanying Mrs. Julie Brown, Trav’s first grade teacher, and her students to Lansing’s Potter Park zoo. It was a fun day for me and I think Trav enjoyed himself as well. More importantly he developed an appreciation and respect for the other inhabitants of our planet. He could not get over the peacocks wandering freely throughout the park. He was excited about petting and brushing a goat. He was a little nervous when he heard the lion and tigers roar since it wasn’t on tv. He heard the screech of the bald eagle as it sensed it was feeding time. He couldn’t stop smiling and laughing watching the otters play in their pool. They looked like they were having so much fun. Of course, after we ate lunch in the park, Trav and his buddies began an endless chase of one another on the playground that was uncannily similar to the otters playing. He fell asleep on the bus on our way back to St. Louis and I had the darndest time trying to wake him. He was all worn out having so much fun.
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Trav and the two other students I was chaperoning enter the zoo orientation program
First on the presentation list is a ferret.
If I can't have a dog can I have a ferret? Look at the face. Major drawback... They have a very pungent body order. On second thought I'll just look at the pictures.
The students learn the difference between a venomous snake and a poisonous snake. A Florida milk snake is being used as an example.
Trav and his classmates very quietly and intently listen to the presentation. Notice the little girl in the back row. Trying to distract a poor little boy. It never ends.
The students are told that a tarantula spider is actually one of the best pets to own. Not in my book!
A Morning dove is displayed.
Trav, Blaison, and the boy to Trav's right name begins with an R. Sorry... he talked my arm off. He was more than a match for me.
I have decided that Trav and the little girl to his right, Sophia, will marry someday. She was a sweetie.
Bet you didn't know camels can out run horses. They are faster and can last longer.
Such an impressive bird. These two eagles heard their caretaker entering the pen to feed them, and were screeching up a storm.
I could watch otters play all day. They seem to love what they do and they don't care who's watching.
Strutting like a peacock. Oh. It is a peacock.
These meercats are are a very inquisitive animal. And to say they are cute is an understatement.
Trav had the rhinoceros high on his list of "must sees".
The lemmings were almost as cute as the meercats
Trav spotted the lion sleeping on the rock as his two lionesses slept nearby
This peacock captured Trav's undivided attention
Can you spot the tiger in the background. They are very hard to spot in their natural environment.
Just another pretty cat... until it roared and made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up
300-400 pounds of explosive power
Every peacock needs a place for privacy and to get away from the crowds
Trav gets his first look at live penguins
Trav brushes the back of a male goat
Chow time in the barnyard
This wolf was hard to spot and definitely did not want to be near people.
Play time at the community otter pool
Human otters playing in the park after lunch
Trav has definitely got to work on his "roar". Just isn't ready for prime time yet
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