I have to tell you, I am a sucker for zoo field trips of any kind. I am fascinated with being able to see animals from around the world that I would never have an opportunity to see in real life. So when school started in September and I noticed a field trip scheduled for the entire 3rd grade to the Richmond Metro Zoo in November – I was chomping at the bit to sign up as a chaperone for it and go with my mini-man! I think his teacher, Mrs. Magner, probably started to worry back in October when I began bombarding her with emails about the field trip and had the sign up sheets been released yet LOL!
Wednesday finally came and mini-man and I ran around in a flurry of activity packing our goodies and getting ready for our trip. I don’t know who was more excited – me (for finally being able to go to the zoo) or him (for having mom come along on one of his field trips)! We made it to the school on time and boarded the buses and off we went. It took us about 45 minutes until we finally arrived and exited the buses. (Insert ta-da! music here) There it was – the Richmond Metro Zoo entrance!!!
When we finally got inside the actual zoo – there was a brief 30 minute program offered to explain the different types of animals we would find that day as well as an introduction to three members of the zoo – a baby penguin that was only a few weeks old, Zoe – a baby orangutan who was 2 years old (and just as cute as a button!), and a Burmese albino python that was rescued from a truck stop.
Zoe (pictured above) was my favorite out of all the animals at the zoo. She was just so adorably cute! She kept playing with her feet and when the handler put her hand out to show how her hand was the same as Zoe’s hand – Zoe latched onto it and went to suck on her thumb LOL! Major cute factor! Rosie was Zoe’s mother, she was 42 years old when Zoe was born. Usually, Zoe would have stayed with Rosie and nursed from her mother for 8 to 9 years, but unfortunately Rosie passed away last year from congestive heart failure so the staff has taken over being “mom” to Zoe. Just like any normal toddler, she gets quite fussy when she doesn’t get her bottle on time each day! (She takes two bottles per day along with other fruits and vegetables that the staff feed her)
Once the program was over, we were allowed to explore the zoo on our own for the next two hours – and explore we did!!!
If you think I’m pulling my nose out so you can take a picture – think again!
I absolutely love flamingos – they just look so regal and elegant!
Naturally had to take a picture of these three characters. Did you know that monkeys cannot swim? Nope, sure can’t! But boy were these guys VOCAL! They held an entire monkey-talk conversation while we were there which apparently didn’t end well because the one on the left took off in a huff and went and sat in their perch and turned his back to us LOL!
I have an obsession with all things Australian, so these kangaroos were seriously peeking my curiosity – but no matter what I did – they wouldn’t run for me. Sigh.
What YOU looking at human?
The giraffes were absolutely adorable and so extremely friendly!!! They came right up to the fence so you could pet them (and feed them!!) and even though they are extremely tall, they seem like such gentle creatures! That face is just absolutely priceless!
I have two videos of the giraffes uploaded on YouTube if you’d like to see them. You can find them here — Video 1 and Video 2.
You want me to pose for a close-up?
The next four photos are from the Aviary. These birds are absolutely gorgeous I tell you – so beautifully bright and the singing was just – phenomenal. I purchased a bird seed stick for Tre and Kenny (one of his friends who I was chaperoning as well) and let them feed the birds. The minute they walked in there and held those sticks out – they were inundated with birds from everywhere!
These little guys are the most adorable creatures in the entire Zoo right after Zoe! I could not believe how fast they swam around the pool!
It took me about 4 photos to finally get a good shot of this momma monkey and her baby. Isn’t he just the cutest? Speaking of monkeys – have a video of two little ones chasing each other around and getting into a tussle with each other uploaded to YouTube.
This guy was enjoying a relaxing soak in the sun and deemed me worthy enough to give me a full on facial shot! Thank you sir Tiger!
The boys and I had a very spirited discussion about how a Tortoise, that can weigh up to only 700 pounds, moves so very much slower than a Rhinoceros that weighs anywhere from 1,500 to 7,000 pounds. We’re still pondering the wonder of it all…
This guy still amazes me. All rough and leathery-looking on the outside, with that large horn ready to just gut you in an instant – yet he walked right up to where we were standing and posed for a photo and had just the sweetest disposition. Maybe he was thinking we were on the lunch menu for the day.
Another animal I have a huge fascination with is the cheetah. I love to watch them run on television shows – so graceful and fast but I had absolutely NO IDEA that they were as BIG as they are! They are roughly the same size as a lioness, yet when you see them on television for some reason they seem so much smaller! This lady here was absolutely gorgeous and even gave me a bit of a show by playing in the dirt under the tree LOL!
Last but not least were the adorable little prairie dogs! There was only one of them brave enough to venture out when we went by initially around 9:30 a.m. but when we came back around at about 12:00 p.m. a few more had ventured out into the sunshine and to see what was going on for the day.
If you would like to learn more about the Richmond Metro Zoo just click on the link to visit their web site. My son and I most definitely enjoyed ourselves and we will definitely be returning in the spring with the rest of the family to see what’s new!
It looks like an amazing day! I love going on field trips with the kids, unfortunately there never seems to be enough time though!