Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am trawling through some old photos and going to the zoo. Or to be accurate, two trips to Mogo Zoo, a small privately owned facility a couple of hours away from us..
I am ambivalent about zoos. I love the animals, and zoos have improved dramatically from the teeny weeny cages and concrete obscenities they used to be but... And sadly it seems likely that some animals will only survive in them and we will only be able to see them there.
The first batch of photos were taken in October 2002.
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I do love tigers. However, I was careful around these. The keeper told us that the male was not entirely fond of visitors and had a habit of backing up to his cage and spraying them with urine. And, while we watched he did indeed do just that - with impressive range and accuracy...
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And then another trip, in November 2006.
The white lions have bred very successfully, and cubs have been sent on to other zoos, including our local zoo.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am trawling through some old photos and going to the zoo. Or to be accurate, two trips to Mogo Zoo, a small privately owned facility a couple of hours away from us..
I am ambivalent about zoos. I love the animals, and zoos have improved dramatically from the teeny weeny cages and concrete obscenities they used to be but... And sadly it seems likely that some animals will only survive in them and we will only be able to see them there.
The first batch of photos were taken in October 2002.
I do love tigers. However, I was careful around these. The keeper told us that the male was not entirely fond of visitors and had a habit of backing up to his cage and spraying them with urine. And, while we watched he did indeed do just that - with impressive range and accuracy...
And then another trip, in November 2006.
The white lions have bred very successfully, and cubs have been sent on to other zoos, including our local zoo.
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| Serval cat |
Your ambivalence about zoos is shared. If every time you post pictures on Sunday, you have to link back to Kim, then I think that every time someone writes about religion, they should have to link back to me. So, kiddo, when are you going to write about religion?
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: If I ever write about religion, I will certainly link back to you. Probably not going to be a happening thing though. I can remember linking back to you at least once though - on the (to me) scary prospect of living forever...
DeleteSuch beautiful animals. It's a shame in one way that they have to live in cages but at the same time I'm sure it's the only way some of them would ever survive and it also makes it possible for people to see the awesome creatures. Love the part about the tiger not liking visitors. Guess that's his way of saying get lost. :) Thanks for sharing these delightful photos.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Can you imagine sitting in a car for a couple of hours covered in big cat piddle? Eeeeuw. It smelled fairly pungent too. And lingering.
DeleteWas it you that got sprayed? I'm trying not to laugh....
DeleteGuyana-Gyal: Fortunately not me. And I tried (mostly sucessfully) not to laugh at the time.
DeleteWonderful shots of all the animals. Sometimes i used to think about the animals kept inside the cage as they have no freedom, but they may be happy inside. We are also able to see many different animals which we are not able to see outside...
ReplyDeleteWeekend-Windup: They may be happy, but I suspect they would be happier if they could be free. And yes, we can see more animals, but it isn't (or shouldn't be) all about us. And my hypocritical self loves being able to see animals I wouldn't otherwise see...
Deletebeen years since I've been to a zoo, although Florida had a small animal park, the white lions are really something as is the serval cat.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: I am very, very fond of all cats. Big and small. How are you feeling today? Any better?
DeleteI think the tiger is the most beautiful animal on earth!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: They are incredible aren't they? I have many, many tiger photos.
DeleteThe skinny one very nearly saw a tiger in the wild. He was tiger-spotting in a jungle in India. Didn't see a one. Then the woman in front of him told the assembled group that she had seen one nearby -and had been too frightened to tell anyone. Sigh.
Yes, I know how deeply you have felt the zoos, caged up. But, a lot them would not survised that were zoo. I love your pictures of them.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I know. And it is why I am ambivalent about zoos.
DeleteSoon, there were only Polar Bears, that is coming, our fault.
DeleteBob Bushell: The polar bears are at risk too. And it is definitely our fault. Sigh.
DeleteMy grandson is with me and he says the giraffe should have been at the top.
ReplyDeleteDelores: Apologise to him for me. They are incredible aren't they? And I was blown away to learn they have the same number of bones in their neck as we do.
DeleteYour photos are so clear and well done! I think all of the animals are fascinating to look at for different reasons. Glad you were able to stay out of the tiger's range! That would have been a bad rest of the day!
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: That golden shower would certainly put a dampener on the day. I suspect I would be throwing the clothes out too.
DeleteNot far from us is the Exotic Feline Rescue Center... rescued big cats from all around the States, and a few from Mexico as well, reside there and are guaranteed a safe home for life.
ReplyDeleteMany come from private zoos and lives of deprivation, neglect, and abuse. I'm not fond of zoos but, sadly, we have made them necessary.
Jacquelineand...: How right you are. We HAVE made zoos necessary. Sigh.
DeleteLike you, I used to abhor zoo's too. Now, however, they are one of the few places where the human race can't get at them. And as hard as it is to see any animal behind bars like voyeuristic objects, at least they are safe and out of harms way per se. Never thought I'd say that....
ReplyDeleteSaying that, in a perfect world there would be no zoos. Just jail cells for humans. Need I elaborate ..
Good safety tip about the lion. And if I were him I'd quite possibly do the same thing too.
Hope things are okay in your little corner of the world, EC?
Wendy: How nice to see you? How are you? You have been missed.
DeleteAnd no, you need not elaborate about the jail cells. They would be packed if I had my way. With no parole.
We are ok - but himself goes in for more surgery next month. Sigh.
Not bad, thanks. But my heart sunk when I read that 'himself' has more surgery next month. You poor bloody things. Hope all goes well.
DeleteWendy: Thank you.
DeleteBeautiful photos. My favorite is of the tiger. So handsome and I guess he has an attitude. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I am a tiger addict, and I do like his attitude - but would hate to be on the receiving end.
DeleteGreat photos. The tigers are such impressive animals, apparently for more than one reason!
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: It is such an expressive gesture isn't it? And arguably deserved. I would hate to have my every move watched too.
Deletei love them all. the meerkats are very endearing, arent they?
ReplyDeletewhat scared me is that you said the first lot of pics were taken in 2002, which seems to be just a blink back!
kylie: The years are whizzing past aren't they? Which scares me a little.
DeleteOne of my brothers volunteers at the local zoo and tells me that the endearing meerkats have quite a bite. All of their keepers have had stitches when they haven't been as quick as their charges... They do look cute though. And innocent.
Your commentary about the tiger gave me a chuckle. Good for him! Like you, I am ambivalent about zoos. We've done so much damage to animals' natural habitat that many of them wouldn't survive in the wild. I applaud the zoos which go to great lengths to lose the caged feeling. San Diego wild animal park is like walking through African grasslands and I loved going there often when I lived there.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Western Plains Zoo in the central west of NSW sounds like San Diego wild animal park. It is lovely there, but...
DeleteI too have mixed feelings about zoos but most really are quite good now. Big cats can look so benign when relaxing.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I suspect the big cats ARE benign while relaxing. It is just that the switch from relaxation to activity is so very fast.
DeleteOh...I could stand (or sit) and stare at that tiger for hours on end...from an unreachable spraying distance of course! They're magnificent creatures. I love your pics, EC...beautiful creatures one and all.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and the Skinny One have a wonderful week...cuddles to the two furry Js. :)
Lee: The tiger did give advance warning. He approached the fence, turned around, and started to wriggle his behind. Those caught in the deluge (and there was a lot of it) really had only themselves to blame. And yes, I do adore tigers.
DeleteHow is Molly going? Still improving I hope. And I hope that you are your furrry tyrants have a wonderful week too.
I've just returned from spending a couple of hours up at the house with Molly. She's progressing in leaps and bounds. Her coat is looking brilliant. The best I think I've ever seen it. I lay out a smorgasbord each day for her to graze upon...and graze she does. It's such a relief, as you can imagine, that she's come through this. I was very worried and upset there all last week, I can assure you!
DeleteMy landlords arrive home on Saturday next...and that, too, will be a relief!! Whew!
Thanks for asking after her. :)
Lee: I am so pleased that Molly is well enough to be home. And yay for the return of your landlords.
DeleteI'm ambivalent about zoos, too. I may not have taken my own children to the zoo; a really good job for grandparents. I didn't take grands to the zoo--they had more grandparents! I am glad zoos exist to preserve wildlife.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I don't think my parents ever took us to the zoo - and I had no grandparents. I first went as an adult. An ambivalent adult. Yes, I am glad that they exist to preserve the wildlife - and wish they didn't have to. And know that we are a lot of the reason they do.
DeleteUnas estupendas imágenes.... Un abrazo desde Murcia....
ReplyDeletealp: Welcome, and thank you.
DeleteI can't take going to a zoo. Used to go to the one in Portland when I was a kid and the vacant stared pacing with strange repetitive movements made me cry for days. I can imagine in my mind, an alien world, and a few humans have been taken captive from Earth and now are exhibited in the alien zoo. It is stated on the zoo placard that humans may soon destroy their own world so it is imperative that a few be kept alive elsewhere and encouraged to breed so they do not go extinct. Another sign reads: Extreme Danger, do not enter exhibit compound.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: How right you are. And some of me thinks we deserve that fate. Rather more than the animals we currently house in our zoos.
DeleteWhat treasures we've been given. How beautiful they are, these animals.
ReplyDelete"Some animals will only survive in them" [zoos]...is it because we're so bent on hunting them, destroying their environment?
Guyana-Gyal: Exactly. They will only survive in them, because of what we do to them and their environment. For our 'needs'. Sigh.
DeleteThe pictures are beautiful. I'm ambivalent about zoos too. Haven't been to one in decades, but knowing I'll never go to their native lands does tempt me to visit animals I'll never see otherwise.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: One of my brothers volunteers at our local zoo. I am very jealous of his interaction with the animals but definitely torn.
DeleteI would imagine that everybody is ambivalent about zoos. I especially hate seeing polar bears in zoos - I remember the (only) one at the Auckland zoo endlessly pacing up and down his concrete area. He was eventually diagnosed as psychotic, and euthanised.
ReplyDeleteThese days, we are certainly more 'enlightened' about the way the animals are housed and looked after - and going to the zoo may be the only chance many (most?) children may ever have of seeing such beautiful creatures as tigers and giraffes.
Thank you for the lovely pictures - and for making us think, as you often do!
Alexia: Polar bears yank on my heart strings. As do rather a lot of the animals in zoos. Perhaps seeing the beautiful animals - however we do it - gives us a chance to see how amazing they are and why they should be preserved. Some days I am ashamed of our species though, and the way we treat others is often the trigger.
DeleteI also am not sure of my thoughts on zoos. Kind of a neccessary evil.
ReplyDeleteBut then a lady at work went on hunting safaris in Africa with her late husband. What a waste. (nothing like having guides find them for you). The meat did go to the villages to feed them and the meat is a life saver for them, but....
Teresa: I am not in the slightest bit ambivalent about hunting safaris. Killing things for fun just doesn't make any sense to me. Good that the meat wasn't wasted, but bad just the same.
DeleteI love your tiger photos, especially that one where he is yawning. I love tigers and lions. The grooming monkeys are adorable and this is the first time I have ever seen a serval cat. We don't have one here. There's a lot we no longer have here. Polar bears for instance, it's just too warm here apparently.
ReplyDeleteI recognise that zoos are a necessary evil, I just wish they could be more like natural habitat for each species, but I appreciate the cost involved is astronomically high and many zoos can't afford such changes.
River: I have a huge weakness for all of the big cats. And indeed most predators. Polar bears are high on my most loved animals list as well.
DeleteMogo zoo puts down beds of lavender for the tigers to roll in - which tickled my fancy. And the bears have to hunt for their treats. Zoos are better than they were. They needed to be.
P>S> in our zoo, it's the lion that sprays, the tiger is almost always asleep.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I expect being sprayed by a lion is every bit as unpleasant as being sprayed by a tiger.
DeleteYour connection with the tiger created some marvelous shots!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Cloudia: They are incredibly beautiful animals aren't they? Awe and wonder.
DeleteHave always just loved seeing the big cats at the zoo.
ReplyDeletelibrarygirl: So do I. And on documentaries. And I would love to see them in their natural habitat as well. Which is an unlikely dream.
DeleteThese are some truly beautiful photos my friend.
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: They were all truly beautiful animals.
DeleteYou've got that damned stupid pest on here again. Is there nothing you can do to be rid of it for good? That is truly revolting.
ReplyDeleteI loved all your beautiful pictures and as we humans have destroyed so much of the habitat of some species it is necessary that zoos try to breed them to maintain them. Many of the zoos do a wonderful job too..i.e. the white lions.
Now the cooler weather is not far off I must try and visit our zoo as I've not been for about 15 years. I believe you can hire gophers if you book them so maybe in that way I could get around. (Message to self....put that on your list of to dos!!).
Thanks again for sharing.
Mimsie: The person in question visits most Sundays. Sadly I don't think there is anything I can do but hit delete. Which I do as soon as I realise he/she was been by.
DeleteI hope you can get to your zoo - or on an outing of some sort as soon as the cooler weather does arrive. Our nights have cooled, but the days are still hot.
Re your solar spinner: Ours stopped working until we replaced its battery, and it is again going like a charm.
The tiger looks relaxed but I am a sucker for meercats.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: A lot of us are suckers for meercats. Critters of charm.
DeleteI also love that meerkat at the first, but I can see why you enjoy that big cat. Great pictures! I haven't been to a zoo in ages and understand your ambivalence about them. Your summer is now over and you should begin your cooler days soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Autumn is just flirting with us at the moment, but we are getting cooler nights. Yay. And some autumnal colour. Yay again.
DeleteFun...loved #9
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: I do put a lot of photos up don't I? I had to go back and count to see which one you loved. And yes, I loved him too.
DeleteI understand and share your ambivalence. Zoos used to be simply to show off unusual animals and make money (what a driving force for mankind, it seems!), but now they have improved. But they still make me uncomfortable. I don't blame that tiger for spraying the humans. It's about the only way he can protest his confinement and the never-ending chattering of the visitors.
ReplyDeleteI feel similar ambivalence about keeping our cats as indoor-only cats. There are good reasons (safety and a longer life for both them and the birds they would catch) but I feel pretty guilty at times that they don't get outside to enjoy the breezes and smells. If I had my druthers, I'd build a large caged-in area connected to our house, but that is only a dream at this point. In good weather they can sit by screened windows and doors, but that is a relatively small part of our year.
jenny_o: I hear you. On both counts.
DeleteOur cats do go outside (briefly) each morning. And love it. When/if the money becomes available I would love to build an outside run connected to the house. One of my brothers has - and his cats have a wonderful time in it. Some of our newer suburbs insist that cats MUST be restricted, so it will be the only option for cats to get any outside time there.
Gosh I havent been to the zoo in ages. I would love to get a gander at some baby sloths, I adore them!
ReplyDeletetotallycaroline: Some days I feel that I could see a sloth in any mirror in the house. An old one.
DeleteBut yes, they are animals of much charm.
I can't go to a zoo because my empathy takes control.
ReplyDeletelotta joy: Empathy has teeth doesn't it? Sharp pointy teeth.
DeleteThe pictures are simply awesome. I like visiting zoo. We don't have one in our country that has a large collection of all the animals. We only have a park where all the animals are free to move but the people are restricted into such areas. Hehe. A kind of natural zoo we have.
ReplyDeletedumcho wangdi: A natural zoo is the very best kind. One where the animals are free and the people corralled sounds just about perfect to me.
DeleteMonkeys are my favorite. I could watch them for hours - they like to entertain, it seems.
ReplyDeleteThat first guy/gal (meerkat?) is adorable.
Thanks for taking us to the zoo, EC. I haven't been in a long time.
Rawknrobyn: I haven't been in a long while either. Definitely an element of guilty pleasure...
DeleteNice captures from the zoo's. Thanks for shared photos about serval cat especially. I've never heard or saw it earlier.
ReplyDeleteGreetins, Miklos
Kovacs Miklos: Welcome and thank you. I really, really like Serval Cats.
DeleteSeeing animals in zoos makes me feel sad. But you took some great shots.
ReplyDeleteladyfi: Me too. Very sad.
DeleteSo love your tiger pics, a first time hello from me.
ReplyDelete"Garden Whisperings": Welcome and thank you. I do love tigers.
DeleteGreat photos again :) I agree that zoos are pretty good now. The keepers always love the animals and want to see them happy.
ReplyDeleteMichael D'Agostino: They are a lot better than they were, but my idealistic self would much, much rather that they could be free. And I would like to see them exulting in that freedom too.
DeleteHere in San Diego we are lucky to have a Safari Park where animals are in a natural habitat--at least non-carnivores. It also has a successful breeding program. I love your photos--such detail. Note to self: step away from the lion enclosure.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: We have at least one zoo run on Safari Park lines. It also has successful breeding programs. Better, but still not ideal.
DeleteI am not a zoo fan, but, if they are helping with saving a species that would otherwise go extinct, I guess they are not all bad. We have a zoo about a two hour drive from us, The Metro Toronto Zoo. They had elephants for years, but recently they decided Canada in winter is no place for them, and relocated them to California. Right now they have the giant Pandas on loan from China for two years. Would I like to see a Panda...for sure, but not behind glass and bars.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are terrific!
Karen: Zoos do some good it is true, but I am still torn. One of my brothers saw Pandas in China, and I am quite jealous. He also saw Gorillas in Africa - more jealousy. While the animals weren't free precisely they were in a much more natural environment (and climate).
DeleteLovely photos, EC, and oh, the Serval Cat! Like most of your readers, I'm torn about zoos, but I do believe that for some animals it's the only way we can keep them from extinction. I know the animals are loved in good zoos, but now and then we see the truly terrible zoo publicised and it's heartbreaking. Don't know what the solution is, but more power to the good ones.
ReplyDeleteCarol: More power to the good ones indeed. Isn't the Serval Cat STUNNING?
DeleteBeautiful photos, how elegant is the serval? Just as well you were warned about the tiger, I bet tiger pee is like house-cat pee to the nth degree.
ReplyDeletelynners: Servals are a seriously underappreciated beauty aren't they? I suspect that tiger piddle is a smell which keeps on giving. And giving. And giving. And I would hate to get it into the car as well.
DeleteYour photos are wonderful and made me feel very at home. Would not like the tiger spraying me though. Once again, thank you for sharing:-)
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: I am so glad you enjoyed them. And no, being sprayed with tiger piddle would ruin most days.
Delete" impressive range and accuracy."-I got my laugh for the day. I will be thinking about that statement all day.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: It really was. The tiger wandered up to the bars, had a good look, and turned round and fired. I swear that the stream went more than ten feet, and he wriggled his behind and covered quite a range of people.
DeleteLove the spunkiness of that tiger! :) The other animals look happy and content. Like you - I have mixed feelings about zoos. There was a gorilla in Atlanta, who lived alone in a small room at the zoo, with only a TV and a tire swing, until they built a gorilla habitat - Willie B, was his name. He eventually became a father. A happy ending to an otherwise sad tale.
ReplyDeleteLynn: I am so glad that Willie B got a habitat and family. The image of him alone in a room with a television (which still happens in some places) is exactly why I am not comfortable with zoos. Or with the concept, though some do good work.
DeleteI am like you. I feel funny about zoos. Thanks for your photos, though. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: It seems that most of us have those mixed feelings - except for the people who cannot bear them. Which I do understand. Enjoy your Easter break.
DeleteAwesome pictures! Our zoo is so beautiful...lots of trees and big fields for the animals to roam through. I love to go there on a nice day--if not for the smell, it would be the perfect experience.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Faris: I am glad that your zoo has trees and open spaces. However, if the smell is that strong I suspect there are too many animals for their comfort.
DeleteGreat shots! Got some really good tiger ones. My mom loves tigers, and she used to have an entire wall full of nothing but her tiger pictures. =0)
ReplyDelete2justByou: I love tigers too. And could probably cover a wall with their photos...
DeleteI am torn with zoos as I love seeing these animals but hate seeing them caged in places they are not meant to be. Fabulous shots and give that tiger a wide berth.
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness: I am torn in precisely the same way. I viewed the tiger with respect, and enjoyed him - from a distance.
DeleteI too am ambivalent towards zoos. I just can't bring myself to visit them anymore. So, it is good to see how their environment is improved.
ReplyDeleteI also well remember the horrible concrete conditions some/most were subject to, back in the sixties and early seventies.
But, I am glad that these beautiful creatures are at least safe from the hideous humans that kill/poach their kind.
So, I will content myself with watching the fabulous documentaries on TV and seeing wonderful photos, like yours here, of very, very beautiful faces...
Vicki: It is a long time since we have been to a zoo, despite one of my brothers volunteering in one. Some of them do good work, but...
DeleteAnd I do a lot of documentary watching too. Almost the only television watching I do.
Impressive photography - and I'm glad you were warned about the tiger! I can't imagine how pungent that spray must have been - my male house cat's urine is stinky enough!
ReplyDeleteSusan F.: Pungent is an understatement. I shuddered for the people in the line of fire. And also chuckled to myself. They had been warned.
DeleteGreat and awesome shots!
ReplyDeleteblogoratti: Welcome and thank you.
Delete