HIPPOS at the Zoo - And Other Fun Too

The Hippos are here!  The Hippos are here!  I'm like a child chanting this.  We've been watching and waiting for today.  Well, the exhibit actually opened yesterday and the hippos have actually been in Dallas for a couple of months BUT today is the day for us.  We are there when they open and are gifted two squishy hippos and three sets of trading cards for the grands.  First come, first served.

As we make a beeline straight to the Hippo Outpost, we discover the new National Geographic PhotoArk by Joel Sartore.  With all of the animals in the world, two of the pictures touch our hearts.

Okay, let's get going again.  There it is.

WOW

As we arrive, both hippos are swimming around in the water.  I take up a high post and Mister heads for the below ground view.  Please let us get at least one good picture.

I notice that they are following a path and come up right in the same area each time.  We are READY.

Here they come again.

Now, meanwhile, Mister has had his chance too -- what does he see?

And THESE

So very cool.  As soon as we have these pics, guess what?  They stop swimming and take up residency right below me in the water, only peeking their noses up now and then for air.  We were here at just the right time.  I even try to catch their noses at just the right time.  FAIL.  Yes, my camera is just my phone.  Mister has the good one and gets me AND the noses.  Perfect.

Here is my attempt.  At least I see my sweetheart.

There is also a pavilion with movies, life size replicas and a real working hippo skull and jaw.  That's Mister's hand shown for size comparison.

We are about finished in this area and will visit quite often for sure.  Living in the new outpost area with the hippos are the Okapi.  These are simply amazing and beautiful animals.  Truly.  Relatives of the giraffe, not zebra, they have the most beautiful coat.

Tippy toes.

Okay -- let's see if the baby lion cub is out.  Oh and along the way, perhaps our baby elephant is out too.  He is!!!  I can't believe how much he has grown.  While we stand and watch, Mile, the mama, decides to give herself a mud bath.  It's crazy entertaining and the first time I've seen it happen.  She is VERY thorough and soon has almost her entire body coated in fresh mud.

A quick stop to feed giraffes.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this.

That's it for the savanna.  No lion cub today, but the male lion is up and moving about.  He would really like some of the extra treats that the cheetahs are getting over in the predator encounter right now.  No such luck.

We make a quick run over to see the koalas and on our way out, stop by the birds of prey.  The condor is up and about and gives us the coolest show of hopping and flapping those enormous wings.  WOW -- again in the right place at the right time and mesmerized enough to not even consider a video.

Very cool  Also on the cool list --the zoo has added beer.  Perfect for a warm afternoon.  Not today, but another time.