Part of Jungle Gym

Oklahoma City Zoo

When we visited the Oklahoma City Zoo last year it was under a great deal of construction. We wanted to return to see how the construction turned out. One of the areas under construction was Jungle Gym which was being built by volunteers. I wanted to see the outcome of the effort. By looking at the picture of one area of the Jungle gym you can get an idea of the good a job the volunteers did. The zoo is still under considerable construction. The zoo originally opened in 1904. The Primate area called Great EscApe and the area known as the Cat forest are two of the areas of the zoo that are very impressive. The outside areas allocated for the hooved stock is quite large as is the area for the pachyderms. I liked the zoo very much.

Pudu

Somolian Ass

Patrick’s Point State Park

Now that our daughter’s surprise birthday party is over and a success I am able to give a more accurate description of our locations. We originally left her and her family earlier in the month with the understanding we were heading back to the Midwest. Obviously we stayed in the area and viewed many of the sites of northern California and Oregon waiting for the day of her party. If you have followed the blog you may have noticed I have changed some of the dates of postings. Today’s posting is about Patrick’s Point State Park which is located about 25 miles north of Eureka. The park is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. We chose to walk down to a lookout near Mussel Rock. The pictures I have included in the posting do not depict the force of the waves as they struck the huge rocks along the shore. It was quite windy that day. On a more calm day in the spring you can see the whales as they move northward to their summer feeding grounds. They also can be seen as they move southward during winter to their calving grounds in the Gulf of California. As we approached the lookout the noise created by the waves was deafening. The view was breathtaking as we stood transfixed just starring at the ocean. We have both been to the ocean before but this site would not allow us to just walk away.

Sequoia Park and Zoo

Sequoia Park and Zoo is a 77 acre park located in Eureka, Ca. You drive through park within a grove of Sequoia trees. If you have followed my thoughts in the past you know I could not pass up the opportunity to drive through the grove. The associated zoo was small with a few species of primates and black bears. The zoo also had a couple of guanacos, peafowls and flamingos. Their signature animal is an elderly chimpanzee named “Bill” who has been with the zoo since 1957 when the children of Eureka raised the funds to purchase him from the traveling circus in which he performing. Bill was born in 1946. The landscaping of the Zoo is built into the Sequoia grove in the same park which of course makes the park and zoo very beautiful.

View of the Zoo

Roosevelt State Forest

I have to deviate from my usual postings of animals and animal parks. This is one of the wonders of the world in which I am truly in awe. The California Redwoods hold me in such awe whenever I am in their presence. All I can do is stare in wonderment. The pictures represent the California Coastal Redwoods of the Roosevelt State Forest which is near Eureka, Ca. You must seen these magnificent monsters at some time within your life. If you look closely you will see our car in the pictures which will give you some idea of the size of these trees.

Leading us down the road

Wildlife Safari Park

Wildlife Safari is an AZA accredited non-profit wildlife park located in Winston, Oregon and a MUST SEE. We have already driven through the park four times in the last two days. Wildlife Safari is a 600 acre drive through exotic Animal Park where over 500 animals from around the world make their home. Most of the animals can approach your car including the brown bears, lions, cheetahs. The speed limit is 10 mph, you can do less if you choose and even stop to take pictures while you remain in your vehicle. In the carnivore areas you have to keep your windows closed and keep moving at a slow pace. Karan and I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and participate in the feeding of the Brown Bears and the Lions. We also had a walkthrough with keepers within the Cheetah area. Many thanks to the wonderful keepers who patiently lead us through our experience. Wildlife Safari Park is the birthplace of the Cheetah SSP Studbook.

Hi there, what's in your car?

Beauty within the beast

Seymour Discovery Center

Seymour Marine Discovery Center is part of the Long Marine Research Center associated with the University of California in Santa Cruz. It is a wonderful facility dedicated to developing an interest in students for the sciences specifically marine science. All the graphics use the idea of a scientist who wishes to determine where a hypothesis is viable and then an experiment is developed that will prove or disprove the hypothesis. Seymour Center should be required viewing by all students.

Typical graphics

Each square is an inch

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo is picturesque and the landscaping is beautiful. We could see the surrounding area of Santa Barbara from vantage points within the zoo and the view is spectacular. The zoo covers a large area allowing for a great deal of expansion. Some of the exhibits are small. The zoo is undergoing construction of new exhibits.

Gibbons

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Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo is undergoing major renovations to three different exhibits. The many detours made navigating around the zoo difficult for the uninformed visitors. Karan and I backtracked far to many times up and down hills trying to find the exhibits we wanted to see. We did not see the Gorillas because their exhibit is one the areas under construction. The flora in the zoo was wonderful.

Many of the bird exhibits were not large enough to allow them to fly around other than from branch to branch. The World of Birds exhibit is very nice and demonstrated the abilities of many of the bird species.

We did not see the Pandolin because we were in a different area of the zoo during its feeding times. Other than feeding times the Pandolin is not available for viewing. Another interesting species is the Babirusa (Babyrousa Babyrussa Celebensis).

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