Despite living so close to the Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, I haven’t been to the zoo in ages.  In fact, I think the last time I was there was in high school.  It’s extra silly too since it’s free in the winter time and with the temperatures right now in the minus single digits, I really had no excuses anymore.  Almost right away, I found someone to take pictures of!

The petting zoo end of the Forestry Farm has changed quite a bit since I’ve last been there and not just because of the weather.  I was a bit disappointed when I went inside what’s referred to now as the children’s zoo.  I was totally looking forward to seeing the wallabies but alas, they’re no longer there.  Don’t get me wrong, monkeys are cool too but at least you could get close to the wallablies!

I zipped out of there pretty quickly and headed to the ‘real’ zoo.  The bobcat was first but, I must have spooked him because right away, he started making a bizarre birdlike yell and quickly ran to his den to hide.  He was certainly not going to come out for me anytime soon so I moved on to the red fox.

Yeah, he didn’t seem terribly impressed with me and I don’t blame him.  I snapped a lot of pictures in a desperate attempt to shoot through/around the bars which sort of worked but, I don’t think the animals really thought much of the constant clicking noise.  At least this guy was just bored with me!  The eagles on the other hand…

…well, they didn’t seem to appreciate me being there.  They made an awful lot of racket  when I came near and started clicking away.  But, they didn’t hide or more importantly, try to rush me; they just sat there looking regal which is exactly what a photographer wants in a subject!  Especially one that’s behind bars!

In the summer, you’d normally wander over to the pond to watch the ducks and see some of the other birds on display around there but, the ducks have all flown south for the winter and the geese and chickens are in their own special little barn for the winter.  So, I took a bit of a shortcut and wandered over to the wolves who were doing what all canines do best: sleep.  Ah, life is tough!

 

Unfortunately, the swift fox wasn’t up for showing off either.  She was busy having a siesta as well but, she was all balled up behind some display branches.  In fact, I almost walked right past her without even noticing because with her tiny little size, it’s very hard to tell whether that’s a rock or an actual creature!

The lynxes were definitely out on display though.  I think they know that we stupid ‘hoomans’ are curious about them and they love putting on a show!  They went from huddled together for warmth to pouncing on each other.  Plus, one of the zoo keepers walked past and wow, did they ever get excited!  Yup, they may technically be ‘wild’cats but they’re just as sucky as any feline you may have lazing around at home!

The snowy owls, who you think would be camouflaged during this season, were actually not that hard to spot in their enclosure.  I was excited to see them because I had once seen one on the city limits when I was working for one company several years ago.  I drove out to pick something up at a storage locker early one morning and saw a snow owl in the field.  He was absolutely gorgeous but when he opened his enormous wings and flew off, I couldn’t believe what I had just seen – a 6″ wing span!  Amazing!  Alas, the two owls at the zoo were busy hiding behind a rock and I just couldn’t get a good enough picture.  Maybe next time!

I passed by the grizzly bear enclosure which I have to say is impressive in itself.  Bears are insanely smart creatures so, the level of security needed to keep them either out of places or keep them in an area is a puzzle that from what I’ve heard, even the best human minds struggle with.  Therefore, the bear encloser looks like a high security prison!  But, grizzly wasn’t too concerned.  He sat in the furthest corner from the prying people eyes with his big bear butt in our direction and proceeded to do…whatever it is that bears do.  Once again, I’ll have to go back and try to snap some pictures of this amazing creature.

I decided though, to try once more for the bobcat.  He still wasn’t out though so I decided to check on my foxy friend who was looking even cuter than before.

 

Of course, when I finally started to feel the chill and was ready to leave, I looked over my shoulder for one last look at the bobcat enclosure…and there he was!…

…pacing!  I don’t know why but this cat was just patrolling around the cage in circles.  It made taking pictures very difficult as you can see from the above results but, it was fascinating behaviour to watch.  He even came close to me a couple of times!  And I was extra impressed that he didn’t get spooked when a herd of kids came running up to the cage screaming.  He just kept walking…in circles…on patrol.  A truly goregous cat.  I can’t wait to go back soon for more photos of all the animals!