Zoo Window

This tiny bird feeder is at the upper corner of the kitchen window looking out into the backyard.

We get an up-close view of any birds that visit - mostly tufted titmice and chickadees.

When this ginormous spider took up residence, I didn't mind. 

As long as they're OUTside and never  INside, that's cool with me.

My Youngest, who hates spiders as much as I do, insisted on going out with a broom

take care of the problem. He was horrified when I asked him to leave it. 

 Heck, it's like a zoo display right at my kitchen window! Every night it spins the most amazing huge web, then retreats to its hidey spot at dawn, just as we're getting breakfast and rushing out the door.

Did anyone notice the unsuspecting prey hanging out in a very dangerous spot?

A Lowly Spot

Our spring trip to the zoo - EVERYONE else in the tristate area was there, too.  

But there were so many cute little ones, so very excited about the a'mals. 

I had to snicker a tiny bit at the intensity some parents were applying to a simple zoo visit. Does that darling, blond three-year-old really need to be able to distinguish between an emperor and a king penguin? 

There could be a time for just enjoying, right? 

How critical are these facts, anyway?

I guess I always leaned a tiny bit toward an 'unschooling' attitude in my home education - at least toward some things. If they don't wonder aloud about something, then I'm not going to throw out endless trivia. 

If they don't ask, "Mom, what do you think that bit of floppy skin at the end of his nose is for?", then I'm probably not going to say a word. 

Because most of the time, it's ME voicing those crazy questions aloud, instead of them.

This is a source of embarrassment for my almost-teen, who will still go to the zoo with his mom to get out of a day with the Book Stack. He might wincingly hear any number of musings from his mom:

"What in the world are those monkeys doing?"

"Why in the heck is that swan doing that neck thing?"

"How do you think it can eat with that kind of mouth issue going on?"

"What is that in its eye, anyway?"

"Do you think they can see us if I wave like this?"

(his very favorite...)

So, anyway. Lovely photos is what I really meant to post about. 

Youngest son is not embarrassed to have me stop to take photos in random spots, 

even if the zoo is very crowded. 

He is a very tolerant son. 

Or maybe he's just relieved that I'm not trying to communicate in any way with the a'mals 

(or tiny, adorable children in strollers).

2012 Garden Resolution: 

After seeing these at the zoo, I'm going to find them for my garden this year. 

AND I'm going to force myself to plant them in November when I am otherwise completely finished gardening. Daydream Tulips. They sort of glow in the morning sunshine. 

Beautiful from above...

... and from below, too.

Side Note That Might Only Make Sense To Me:

Life can be filled with beauty when you're up and walking about, on top of it all, viewing the Lord's handiwork from an upright point. 

It's a very different view from below, when you're down low, and at the bottom, so far from where you were before. But still, from that humble position, there is beauty, and life, and there can even be joy. As long as we don't squeeze our eyes shut in pain, misery and/or rage, we might get a glimpse of something not seen by all those lofty individuals who have not had the privilege of seeing life from a Lowly Spot. 

Yet.

Isaiah 61:1-3 

Isaiah 55:8

Not Just Lights

 It's not too late to do a zoo trip. 

The lights are all strung for the Festival. 

People asked us, "Why would you go during the day??? 

The lights don't come on until evening..."

BUT they seem to be on 24/7 - your tax $ at work.

And there are alot less people, which is very good and a little bit bad.

For viewing purposes. Of course you know what I mean.

 And all the animals are still working - even in December! 

Busy with shedding ...

... and snuggling ...

Did you know - you're not supposed to knock on windows at the cat house? 

FYI - Just in case you visit. 

... and squawking.

The flamingos get a little miffy at the sound of an empty water bottle being squeezed.

People say we look alike, My Youngest and I. 

I can't find the wrinkle remover tool on this site --- Blogger? Can't you help a girl out?

New Creation

(Taken at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 4/14/11)

You should double-click this photo and get the full effect of Spring Tulips.

Go full size! It's amazing!

These beautiful colors, right out of the cold, dead-looking dirt!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;

behold all things have become new!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy Resurrection Day!

Flying Hunks

I'm not finished with the zoo photos yet!

Why are the sea lions so hard to find at the zoo? Off by themselves, shoved into a corner.

Finally a warm day to bask in the sun...this guy never moved while we were there.

Flamingos --- so PINK and noisy! Can't imagine how this one seemed to be so peacefully dozing with all the squawking going on.

This disgruntled guy was in a zoo hospital room - doesn't he just look peeved? Check out his eensy, tiny cast with the smiley face:

And my favorites, the gorillas, were out for sport! We got to see the almost-a-silverback gorilla beating up on the much smaller tween (it happens everywhere, folks), until THIS big daddy got up and put a stop to all the nonsense.

You'd better believe I was 'alert', cause doesn't he just look like he's thinking about it?

(I think we all know that really means 'clumps of poo', right?

Watch out for flying hunks of poo!

Zoo signage could be so much more engaging...)

Zoo (Love)

A sure way to get out of books for the day here at our homeschool? No fail? Ask for a day at the zoo. Answer: Yes! There's always something amazing to see, lots of great stuff to read, tons to learn, just in observation.

When we go for a field trip, there's always a 'hunt'. Recently, the items on the list were:

1. a declarative sentence

2. an imperative sentence

3. in interrogative sentence

4. an exclamatory sentence

5. a historic fact

6. two words for the spelling list

7. two photos each of acute angles,

obtuse angles, and right angles

Whoever finds the item does NOT have to record it - but the other hunters do! This greatly motivates the searchers and turns the whole thing into a friendly race.

The declarative sentence was taken from the sign describing these Siamang apes. It's terribly romantic, I think...

"Male and female pairs duet to strengthen their bond and defend their territory."

Giraffe Manners

Sometimes sticking your tongue out just seems like the right thing to do.

Bird Freak

The one Bird Freak in the parrot section of the bird house at the zoo. All the other parrots were sitting sedately on their branches. This guy was performing a circus act! He'd climb up, flip himself over, and while hanging with his mouth full of branch, call out to us -

"See that? Did ya see that?!?!"

At least that's what it sounded like he was saying. I'm sure I saw the other birds rolling their beady eyes. Of course they were jealous...

Sharing the Zoo

I found it! Spring growth at the zoo! Surely not, I thought, but when I agreed to the Friday field trip, this is what I was really hoping to see - and there it was - everywhere! My Youngest became quite impatient at having to tug me away from bending over what looked like just patches of blank ground as I searched for spring sprouts. He thought we were there to study animals.

This brings new meaning to the saying, "I've got my eyes on you!" An appropriate saying when they were toddlers, it was, but not as useful with teenagers. Do I really want to see that much so clearly? Hmmmm....no.

This squirrel harrassed us as we ate our packed lunch. Apparently there are good reasons for the signs that say, Please DON'T feed the animals. In cages or out. This little guy was poised, more than once, to grab our bag and make for cover. Can you see him in the background peeking out?

Is this a Narnian bird or not? I'm thinking it might have been.