Sunday, 12 December 2021

Sunday Selections #563

 

 

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. 

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
  

I usually run with a theme.  I am again taking you back to my day at the zoo.  There will be NO pictures of the meeting which took me there.


 The meercat on the right was giving me a death stare wasn't it?


I adore the lemurs and they will feature again later in this post.  For some reason this morning I have no control over when the photos appear.  Sigh.




I had no idea that moose moulted.  Live and learn.


Isn't the baby zebra cute?  Its adult relatives, as usual, were determined to put their best side forward.



I am blown away to know that giraffes (and thanks to Sean who pointed out I had originally said zebras) have the same number of bones in their neck as we do.








I like the African Painted Dogs too.  They are an intensely social dog and apparently grieve for lost members of the pack.




These and similar installations pop up all over the zoo.  A couple of times I was sad to see that children (and their associated adults) were more interested in having their photos taken than they were in the animals.


A sign near the lemur enclosure talked about 'lemur balls' formed for comfort and for warmth.




Most of the animals appeared unphased by the cool damp day.  The servals were snug and warm and not coming out for anyone.

It really was a delightful day, and I hope that you have enjoyed coming with me.

And I hope your week to come is packed with joy.

114 comments:

  1. The tigers are amazing! In college I knew a girl who had a friend from Malaysia. The friend said that as a child she walked to school every morning and had to watch out for tigers in the wooded areas she passed. Yikes! But now I wonder if she was pulling someone's leg... 😊

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    1. Sandi: I wonder... I would love to see a tiger in its natural habitat. Perhaps a short-lived joy.

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  2. I really enjoyed going with you again. These are great pictures!!
    Thank you for taking me along. : )

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    1. contempladoraocidental: It is my pleasure to take you along.

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  3. Interesting article on the servals and how they are related to a lot of other cats I've never heard of.

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    1. Mike: I have a very soft spot for all of the big cats - servals included.

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  4. Hace 37 años que visité por última vez un zoológico, y fue el de Madrid; entonces pensaba, que era una pena e injusto, tener animales salvajes, encerrados o cautivos, y por eso dejé de ir.
    Hoy en día, y viendo como algunas especies han desaparecido o están a punto de desaparecer por culpa de nosotros, los seres humanos, mi opinión ha cambiado bastante y pienso que quizás esta sea la única forma de preservar las especies, y de que muchas personas, sobre todo niños, puedan disfrutar de ellos viéndolos físicamente.
    Y la verdad es, que hoy he disfrutado mucho, paseando por el zoo, de tu mano, y de que ese bicho tiene una mirada que mata, al que había que ponerle gafas oscuras, porque da yuyu mirarlo.
    Gracias por compartir, amiga, y que disfrutes de un bonito fin de semana.

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    1. Manuel: I agree with you. I mourn for so many animals which can now only survive in zoos. We are responsible for a lot of that which makes my heart ache. Zoos have come a long way from the concrete cages I knew as a youth - for which I am grateful. I would still rather see the animals in their natural habitat though.

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  5. Love these photos! I always enjoy coming along with you on your adventures. I realized today why I like lemurs so much - it's because of their striped tails, and the fact that I adore zebras! It's nice to see that animals can have annoyed death stares too, same as humans. :)
    Thank you for the walkabout and give His Orneriness a scritch from me. Hugs to you always.

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    1. River Fairchild: That was a truly impressive death stare wasn't it. I slunk away. His orneriness is in a good mood today and I will give him a scritch shortly. I will have to wake him to do it - which may mean that I am on the receiving end of his death stare. Which is also impressive.

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  6. Love these! Animals I have rarely seen in my lifetime!

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    1. Marie Smith: I love them too, and am so grateful that the zoo is just down the road. Zoo bro made an extra trip last week - to help move a giraffe to a different area of the zoo. And of course I was jealous. Again.

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  7. Dear EC
    Wow - that meerkat death stare is incredible! You have some fabulous photos of some beautiful animals.
    Thank you so much for sharing your visit.
    Have a good week
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: It is my pleasure. The animals are amazing - including those who were NOT happy to see me.

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  8. I love that meercat, what a stare!! And the rest of your animals bring me so much joy too. Love those zebras.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: It was an incredible stare wasn't it? Zoo bro tells me that many of the meerkat keepers have had stitches when they were not paying sufficient attention. The very cute meerkats have very, very sharp teeth. And attitude.
      I love the zebras too. For some reason the adults always present their delightful stripy butts to my gaze and camera.

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  9. And this is a most delightful post. That meerkat woke up on the wrong side of the bed, I think!

    Take care, EC...I hope your week ahead is an enjoyable one. Cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: It was close to lunchtime when I saw the meerkats and he was STILL on the wrong side of the bed. I hope that you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.

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  10. Hi EC - tis the giraffe with the same number of neck bones as us ... I learnt that in 1976 in Bulawayo ... amazed I was too and I remember it from that time - I had a book/pamphlet detailing the similarities - wish I knew where it was now.

    I will be back to comment on the other delightful pics - love them all. Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: And now Cathy tells us that mice do too. Live and learn.

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    2. The photos are wonderful - I love tigers, so beautiful and I was so lucky to see painted dogs hunting in Botswana, and had a cheetah 'sit' down next to us in Sabi Sabi ... but these are so well looked after - excellent delight to see - thank you ... cheers Hilary

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    3. Hilary Melton-Butcher: You saw painted dogs AND had a cheetah sit down beside you? Lucky, lucky, lucky.

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  11. LOL EC believe it or not a mouse has the same number of cervical vertebrae as us (and the giraffe)
    Your zoo is a great zoo...unlike many in the world

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    1. Cathy: I didn't know that about mice. Thank you. And yes, this is an excellent zoo, and many of them have improved dramatically over the years.

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  12. This was indeed a delightful walk, Sue. Thank you.

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    1. Sean Jeating: It was a delightful day - and thank you for picking up on my silly error.

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  13. Thanks for sharing the delight! Your company and animals is a perfect interlude

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    1. Cloudia: The animals are always better company than I am, but thank you.

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  14. Not trying to pick a favourite! I want them all!
    Thank you.

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    1. dinahmow: Sooooo many wonders. I missed the Sumatran Leopards which were in hiding but saw so many beasts I loved.

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  15. I loved seeing the beautiful animals, especially the big cat. What fun! :-)

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  16. Such a lovely collection of beautiful animals! I have never seen Servals or Australian Painted Dogs in real life, so they were a special treat. And of course, I love the big cats... and the lemurs too.
    Here's hoping you have a comfortable and pleasant week, EC, and that it doesn't get too hot for you.

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    1. Oops I meant African Painted Dogs! Duh..

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    2. Alexia: I first saw the African Painted Dogs in Dubbo Zoo and now make a point of visiting them. Lovely animals. We had a cool few days last week but the heat is ramping up now - not unexpected for the time of the year. I hope your week is comfortable.

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  17. Brilliant photos of lots of animals. It was disappointing to see moulting moose in Canada. Lemurs moving around in a forest are fascinating to watch. I haven't hear the African wild dog called a painted dog, but it seems very appropriate. Is that a snow leopard? It looks very relaxed.

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    1. Andrew: Cheetahs. And yes, they did seem to be comfortable. Very comfortable.

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  18. Bellos animales hay que cuidarlos.

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    1. J.P.Alexander: The animals in this zoo are cared for - with love.

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  19. The lazing cheetahs are my kind of cat. Those are some gorgeous zebra butt ends. The striping is exquisite!

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    1. Strayer: All of the cats looked totally relaxed - and most of them were lazing. Aren't the zebra butts lovely - which is just as well because that is the side that they invariably present to me.

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  20. Testing, testing, i wonder if i can comment, i did lo e the view from your zoo!

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    1. messymimi: I am sorry you had difficulties. This comment landed with no troubles.

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    2. The comment with my link did not land, however. For some reason, some of my tech is behaving badly, and there's not much i can do about it.

      Over here.

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    3. messymimi: I saw and thoroughly enjoyed your Sunday Selections - and am sorry you had problems with commenting.

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  21. That's a death stare with a smile, perhaps he is imagining you as dinner. Do meerkats eat meat? Have you noticed that rhinos always look like they are wearing shorts? Love the baby zebra. the Lemur balls remind me of puppies and kittens all curled up together to sleep. I love your trips to the zoo.

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    1. River: The meerkats eat small meat. Insects mostly. Perhaps that one was considering more substantial fare... I am glad that you enjoy wandering through the zoo with me.

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  22. been years since I went to a zoo, love the animals, so sweet

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    1. Linda Starr: All of them looked healthy and happy - thought the meerkat did seem grumpy.

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  23. These photos are ever so lovely, they came out very well. Well done.

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    1. Margaret D: Thank you. You will be totally unsurprised to hear I took a LOT of photos.

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  24. More lovely photos from your trip to the zoo (via your meeting). I'm sure the zoo animals were far more interesting, anyway. I loved seeing those beautiful animals and most of them look very content. I hope you will keep sharing more of your fabulous photos because I really enjoy seeing them. I can tell this must have been a fun trip for you and I am glad you shared the animals with us, too. Wonderful photos.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Thank you. The animals were MUCH more interesting (and better looking) than the meeting.

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  25. To me, the meercat looks like he is smiling, although it's a mischievous smile. Maybe in real life he was more intimidating. This somehow makes me think about the man in the news recently who was assaulted by a group of otters. And they are such innocent looking critters. I suppose any animal does only what nature makes them do. I'm not sure whether I'd rather be shown a direct gaze such as the meerkat's or rhino's, or the less dangerous back end like the zebra's ...

    Loved all the pictures. Would have loved to amble around the zoo with you, with my camera in hand as well. You got some wonderful pictures. Thank you for taking us along.

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    1. jenny_o: In the flesh that meerkat didn't look happy - or perhaps it was me. I would have loved to have wandered with you, oh sister across the seas.
      I saw that story about the otters, and wonder just what he was doing when he was attacked...

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  26. Yes I enjoyed seeing all the animals. Some birds are know to grieve also Sue like the Jay and Magpie. I hope you are well. Have a great week ahead

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure: I am convinced that many more birds and animals express emotion than we give credit to. Many, many more.

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  27. Super pictures! I think that meerkat knows where the treasure is burried.

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    1. Bill: The meerkat is welcome to keep his treasure.

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  28. Just wonderful! I love them all.

    And I see that a (deceased) Spotted Tailed Quoll was found in Tuggeranong, which gives scientists hope that there may be a healthy community out there, edging away from near extinction. I really hope so

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    1. kylie: I didn't see that story - and agree with you. I really, really hope that there is a community of them thriving.

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  29. Like all the animal pictures, but the meercat made me laugh and the tigers look as if they cried ! I love to watch animals in a zoo or animal park, could stay there the whole day or more !
    https://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunday-selections_0805823678.html

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    1. Gattina: Thank you. It really was a lovely day. I didn't think the tigers were crying. I hope not. I really hope not. I am heading over to check out your selections now.

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  30. Hi! such beautiful photos, especially love that meerkat, the tigers and cheetahs, and also the concept of those lemur balls... thanks so much for sharing them all!

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    1. karen: I had only just finished reading about the lemur balls - and looked up to see one. Amazing.

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  31. Ha ha - that meerkat really wasn't happy was it? Maybe thought you were paparazzi.

    :o)

    Cheers

    PM

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: Not happy at all. I slunk away...

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  32. That is interesting that we have the same number of neck bones as the giraffe. I have never seen a brown rhino, just gray. He's sturdy, isn't he!! :) Beautiful pictures.

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    1. mail4rosey: Part of the rhino's colour came from a mud bath. And yes, he is a sturdy beast.

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  33. You're right! That is one grumpy meercat! Did you insult their mum?

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    1. John Wiswell: Wash your mouth out. I am not nearly brave enough (or mean enough) to do that.

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  34. A lovely day you had been, the zoo is the best EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: I DID have a lovely day. Really lovely.

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  35. The look on the meercats face was hilarious.
    All the animal pictures are fabulous.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Wasn't it an incredible expression? And thank you.

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  36. I love your photos of the lemurs, they are so cute.
    -Quinley

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  37. Gorgeous animals!

    I had no idea that the lovely lemur would join with his pals in order to form a ball for the purposes of keeping warm. They look so cute huddled together.

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    1. Bea: Lots of animals snuggle - but the expression a 'lemur ball' was just perfect wasn't it?

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  38. Great photos! Have a wonderful week.

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    1. e: Thank you. I hope you and Lukas have a healthy happy week too.

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  39. Gorgeous photos, love the images of the animals....x

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  40. Thank you for this utterly delightful series of animal photos.

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  41. Such unique and wonderful animals. I love seeing all the animals and learning about them. It would be hard to select a favorite one. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful week my friend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: As I wandered round I had LOTS of favourites. Thank you - and you have a wonderful week too.

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  42. It's been so long since I visited a zoo, and I love your pics. Thanks so much for bringing the zoo to us! Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: It was my pleasure. Hugs to you dear friend.

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  43. You have so many unusual animals at your Zoo. I have never seen some of them in real life. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us.

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  44. And speaking of tigers, there is a well-known incident when a British bird tour guide in India went off by himself to check on a rare species he hoped to show to his clients, and was killed by a tiger before he had the chance!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: I wonder whether he saw the rare bird before he was munched. I hope so.

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  45. Aww, I like all your photos, but the rhino takes the prize!

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    1. PS. I thought moulting was a word for what birds do only, thanks for making me wiser ;)

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    2. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Strictly speaking animals with fur shed rather than moult - but my family at least has always called it moulting. The rhino was lovely wasn't it?

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    3. It was! I like rhinos, one of my sons like them even more. And now we're at the zoo. Why is your profile picture a tiger bathing in Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River and not an Elepthant's Child? I have wonderd for a very long time, but never found a good time to ask. :D

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    4. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Zoo bro gets to interact with the rhinos too - including washing them and brushing them down with a very stiff brush - which he tells me they really enjoy.
      Like the Elephant's Child I suffer from insatiable curiosity. I don't have a good photo of them though - and would love to have the grace and the power of a tiger.

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    5. Thank you. Zoo bro's job sounds great!

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    6. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Zoo bro is a volunteer - and loves it.

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  46. You did get some great photographs here, such a wonderful selection.
    I was trying to choose a favourite but quite honestly I like them all :)

    Hope your week is going well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member: Thank you - and I am glad that you, like me, couldn't choose a favourite.

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  47. Oh these are wondrous, EC. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
    I didn't realize there were tree kangaroos. Saw them for the first time on TV. So cute. They look like fuzzy stuffed animals.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: You are right about tree kangaroos. They do look unlikely don't they?

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  48. Love your photos! I'm sure that meerkat photo should be listed in the dictionary under "evil eye". And the lemurs' group hug was adorable! I'd never heard of them doing that - I learn something new every day. :-)

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    1. Diane Henders: It really was an excellent death stare wasn't it? And yes, the lemur ball made my heart melt.

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  49. Ohh, the meercats are tooo cute. The right one looks like it has planned something naughty to do. I think your lemur pixs are unusual, we always see animal faces, their backsides are beautiful too! This includes the back of the zebra where the stripes meet perfectly at the back, I never knew this or is this unique to this zebra only! I must ask Mr/Ms Google.

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    1. kestrel: Thank you. I believe that tiger stripes are as individual as finger prints, so their stripes wouldn't meet that way. You have me wondering too.

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  50. Thank you.
    For lemurballs and giraffes with the same number of bones in their necks as we humans and gorgeous big cats and a bit of
    Summerness to soak in for a while.
    Your zoo looks wonderful and well cared for.
    Grateful to get to share it with you here.
    Hope you are enjoying the sun and sky where you are;
    breathing it in deep over on this side:)
    Big hugs and joy to you,
    Jennifer

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    1. SingingRiverSoulSpa: Thank you - and keep breathing deep. I am not a fan of summer, but can see its beauty.

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