I love zoos. Not old-style zoos with miserable animals in cages and tiny enclosures. I love contemporary zoos designed to study, rescue, and learn about animals to ensure their survival in the wild. Zoos with large, natural-looking environments. Well, I love the Fuengirola zoo. It's called Bioparc Fuengirola. A major expansion and new Indo-Pacific exhibit was recently completed. Judy and I took a walk Thursday. Spectacular. And that's all I'll say. Just enjoy my pictures and don't groan too much at my captions. (I'm feeling a little slaphappy.)
Click any image... please.
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| STEPPING INTO A FANTASY. |
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| THE UNDERSTATED MAIN ENTRANCE FACES THE BACK OF CITY HALL. |
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DUUUN DUN DUUUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN BOM BOM DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN
DOO DEDOO DOO DEDOO DEDE DOO DEDE DOO DEDEDOO.
(IN CASE YOU COULDN'T TELL, THAT WAS THE "JAWS" THEME.) |
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| ALWAYS MAKE EYE CONTACT... |
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| ... BEFORE LICKING YOUR CHOPS. |
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THE LESS SUBTLE LEOPARD JUST SNARLS.
(TRUTHFULLY, I CAUGHT HIM MID-YAWN.) |
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| THE TIGERS WERE HAVING A SIESTA AROUND THE CORNER. |
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IF HE WANTED PRIVACY, HE SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN
A BETTER SPOT TO DO HIS "BUSINESS." |
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BLUE-SPOTTED TREE MONITOR.
(IS THAT ANYTHING LIKE A HALL MONITOR?) |
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| A VERY COOPERATIVE FIJI BANDED IGUANA. |
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| THE BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILS ... AND EVERYWHERE ELSE. |
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| COMODO DRAGON IN THE NEW, HUGE, INDO-PACIFIC EXHIBIT. |
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| BRAND NEW "RUINS." |
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| MORE OF THE NEW EXHIBIT. |
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NOT A BAD PLACE TO LIVE.
THE PLANTINGS WILL SOON OBSCURE THE APARTMENT BUILDING VIEW. |
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| HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS IN THE HEART OF OUR CITY. |
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| "OH, WOULD YOU QUIT NIT-PICKING!!!" |
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| A VERY FRIENDLY RED-CHEEKED BULBUL. |
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MORE VERY FRIENDLY RED-CHEEKED BULBULS.
THEY FOLLOWED US AROUND THE AVIARY. |
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| ONE-OF-A-KIND STYLE. |
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| UM... MAYBE NOT. |
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WHERE ARE THEIR HEADS?!?
(THEY MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO DUCK.) |
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| MAYBE THAT'S WHY HE'S SMILING. |
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| "AH, PEACE AND QUIET." |
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| "HEY GUYS! SO AN ORANGUTAN, A DUCK, AND A FLAMINGO WALK INTO A BAR..." |
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| "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!" |
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| "THERE THEY GO AGAIN." |
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| "I AM SO OUT OF HERE." |
I do believe it's true. Exit music...
Great pictures. The "new" ruins remind me of structures I saw in Thailand and Cambodia. I hope you're having a terrific weekend.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteWe marveled at the level of detail in the "ruins."
As the Dowager Duchess said in "Dowton Abbey": "What is a week end?"
Mitchell, your photos are fantastic. I love the crocodiles probably they are hungry.
ReplyDeleteI definitely love zoos in modern styles.
Gosia:
DeleteThanks. It was a perfect day for photos. As for the crocodiles, that's how they cool off (they lose body heat through the skin of their mouths and tongues).
When I was wee I hated zoos.... sterile, boring boxes full of unhappy animals? No thanks! Habitat zoos, whilst still not the same as being able to roam free, are so much better.... and for some animals, the only way they will continue to thrive.
ReplyDeleteWe're not very good stewards, are we?
Jacqueline:
DeleteI remember the Bronx Zoo from when I was a kid and didn't think much of zoos because of that -- the cages, the smells, the small spaces. We lived near the San Diego Zoo years later and loved it. Unfortunately, I've been to a zoo or two in recent years that I still found depressing. But this one is a joy.
Hey Mitchell, thanks for this tour of your zoo! Amazing critters there and amazing sense of humour/dialogue those alligators have!!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteI thought those crocs were a bit corny myself.
What a place! And terrific photos, although I could have done without the open mouthed croc.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteThat croc COULD use a dentist.
Holy cow, what a place! Gorgeous photos (and great caption, Mitchell :) ).
ReplyDeleteI remember that we took a class trip in 1st grade to Central Park Zoo. It was allllll little cages and such. Poor animals! Then, I went with my family to the Bronx Zoo once, and I remember it being bigger. But, here in St. Louis, we have a big, beautiful zoo, with lots of open space for the animals. It was designed and run by Marlin Perkins (remember Marlin and the Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom show??).
Judy:
DeleteI haven't been to the Central Park Zoo since the late '60s. Not a very good memory. The last time I saw the Bronx Zoo, it was improving, but I've heard it's very nice now.
Marlin Perkins... I used to love the way he'd transition from a tiger eating a gnu to the need for Mutual of Omaha insurance!
The headless ducks are my favorites. Bo-dee-oh-doh.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteI've never seen the likes of those before.
Every time I see a big cat I want one!
ReplyDeleteBut darn that Carlos he always says something about them being "wild" and "man-eaters" and "hungry."
Bob:
DeleteFor two people who often don't know what they're talking about, San Geraldo and Carlos sure like reality!
A beautiful zoo! I rather wish it were here in Akron, though we have a lovely zoo of our own, and a pair of very young snow leopards. I definitely prefer the new open plan for zoos. I never knew crocodiles had such a great sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteKristi:
DeleteSense of humor? Yes. Great? Welllll....
I love zoos too. Curiously, the one here in Phoenix is privately owned, which is 'news' to me. I thought all zoos were owned by the city.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteI've never been to the Phoenix Zoo, but I've always thought most zoos were not owned by the city. Interesting.
What a beautiful zoo! ANd I can honestly say that's the first time I've seen a tiger taking a dump.
ReplyDelete