Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Saturday Critters

Happy Saturday morning everyone!


SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

"Life is so full of unpredictable beauty and strange surprises."

Mark Oliver Everett

Major surprise at the Minnesota Zoo.
or simply, unpredictable behavior?





I don't get to the zoo nearly as often as I'd like, so of course it was disappointing to see possibly my most favorite Grizzly Bear Exhibit still closed.  The week before one of the bears thought he was at a basketball tryout.  I say, he made the team!  Apparently, (and not at all what a few Star Tribune columnists have disclosed) the bear was simply playing with a rock he dug up, and only one of five layers of glass was broken.

No serious harm done, no foul play!

From Discovery Bay I just adore the two species of Sea Dragons. Leafy and Weedy, they are close relatives of the Seahorses.






"I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living." - Anais Nin


"The surprise is that you continue to be surprised."
Jill A. Davis


SURPRISE, Unexpected-

BUG ALERT!  

Often we're not surprised to see wee critters from the insect world having lost their battle in nature, especially the rather strong (possibly scary appearing) warriors. But it happens as my son-in-law discovered.  Not knowing the official bug title he offered this for the last rites of this poor little critter.
  A Megaloptera, native to some Star Trek planet, before a buddy offered the correct name. An Eastern Dobsonfly. 

Now for the real truth about them, from the U of M.  They are in a word, Harmless!





Probably second on my favorites list are the Leopards. 

No surprise, silent, sleek and strong,  A commanding yet graceful stride.


My daughter and four of my grand-delight munchkins were anxious to see them too.  If only they'd bother to look our way.



So what to do right?  Please don't wander off.


Can you believe (the lady behind us with camera ready was grateful) after I called out, Look at us sweetheart! He turned around and gave us his charming and most handsome face!


I'm sure he thought, Sweetheart?  Now that's cool!




Surprise we've left the zoo!
Dear, deer alert!

Last weekend, while we were out touring my favorite neck of the woods, I just got back inside the car from taking pictures of an old stone fence, this dear surprise happened by.









Thanks for stopping by everyone, enjoy your weekend and all the darling critters you discover along your journey!









24 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

lovely critters both in and out of zoos. glad one one pane was broken by the hurler. :)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

The first critter was my fav

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen, wonderful collection of critters. I love the bear, leopard and the deer. The seahorse is cool! The Dobsonfly is interesting. Great post! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

EG CameraGirl said...

How cool of the leopard to look around when you called to him/her! I also love the deer.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

That is a lot of critters. Your trip to the zoo looks like a lot of fun!

Debbie said...

zoos are a great opportunity to see animals we may not see or don't get to see otherwise!!

Gail said...

Some very handsome critters.

Hubby was fishing on White River this week and watched a Bald Eagle catch a fish. He was very impressed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Great set of critters, Karen! I love those sea dragons, too.
~

carol l mckenna said...

Don't like zoos ~ yet, your photography of the critters is divine!

Happy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol

Kathe W. said...

visiting the zoo is a hit with me! Have a great day!

Cloudia said...

Karen, they all respond to your delight; and so do WE!

DeniseinVA said...

Loved this series of critter photos Karen. That grizzly had a playful nature and I hope his exhibit will be open soon.

RedPat said...

I love that dragon! ;-)

Jeanie said...

Your zoo photos are wonderful. I haven't been to the zoo in a long time and you remind me that it's time to go again!

humbird said...

Wonderful photos, Karen! I meet a deer and turkey on everyday basis! Love the 'sweetheart' you found in Zoo. Fun post! Enjoy weekend! :)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm not a big fan of zoos, but the creatures are wonderful to see. The bear must have been having a blast throwing rocks!
We've been seeing more deer around here because of the flooded bottom land- all have been ousted from their normal hunting grounds. I can't begin to imagine the damage this flood has done to all the wild creatures that used to call the bottoms home.

Elephant's Child said...

Such a wide range of critters featured this week. Thank you.

Rajesh said...

Very nice place with so much to see.

Noushka said...

Thanks for dropping a comment on my blog, Karen :)
your critter/surprise presentation made me really smile!
I can't say I appreciate zoos very much, I can only hope they are truly a way to help animals, not just a way to make money!!!
If bears start throwing rocks at the enclosure panes, boy we might be in trouble! LOL!
Keep well, enjoy your sunday

Joyful said...

Wow! What an wonderful array of critters you have for us today. As a child I was fascinated by sea horses. They are really unique creatures but all creatures great and small are fascinating :-)

Anonymous said...

I love a good critter post, and this is awesome! Except the bug...oh, yuck! Yikes.

Maude Lynn said...

Gorgeous shots of the leopard!

GreenComotion said...

The Leopard photos are really nicely done, Karen.
The design on Leopards (both the 'regular' and the Snow Leopard) have such beautiful designs on their fun.
Remarkably stealthy creatures, I hear.
Have a Great Week!
Peace :)

A Colorful World said...

So funny about the Grizzly throwing the rock! Loved your photos of all the different critters. You are definitely the Leopard-whisperer! :-)