Social Distancing Morning in Fort Worth

When one is trying to self-isolate so that she can gather with her friends, it makes a slightly difficult situation for their sweetie.  Mine wanted out of the house for a bit and so he managed to swing some early morning entries into the Fort Worth Zoo.  We have wanted to go for several years now and see all the new improvements they have made.  Come along and enjoy our time with these beautiful animals.

Two young giraffes cannot reach the bag of food above and must use the grasses below --- so, so funny to watch them.

Mister's camera was available too and he shared a few of his favorites with me.

Ooooh, love.

Look at the difference in color and design.

The Savanna includes a large variety of animals.  Here, an ostrich wanders through.

Some Springbok -

Nearby stands a Rhino and we notice a couple of things nearby.  First, there is a bird sitting on his back.  Second, the wood behind appear to have faces in them.  Are we imagining it?

Underwater Hippos!!!

Look at the little fish nearby --- they clean the hippos.

We find a spot to sit near the Savanna so watch while enjoying a scone and coffee.  The light shining through the pelican's pouch just fascinates me, but these pictures really don't show how cool it looks.

The one gives a little bit better idea of what we are seeing.

They are soooo fun to watch.

A Black Rhino --- check out the ears.

Lesser kudu come into view as well.  There is a baby one in the waaaay back running like crazy but won't come out of the shadows.

Okay --- leaving the Savanna --- into the primate building and what do we spot?  These two.  One with a head and one without.

Flamingoes!!!!!!!  They are so much fun to watch up close as they rearrange nest material or pat down the sand with their feet and beak.

Or take a nap.

The MOLA --- Just outside is this guy.  Perfect poser.

I tried to take pictures through the glass of these turtles but somehow only managed to get a chubby little buddha-type.

Hello there ---- out for a swim?

Simply gorgeous Tiger Ray

This guy was shy --- as soon as he saw the camera he turned to leave.

Just chillin'.

Sooo, this was pretty funny.  We came upon the penguin exhibit as it was being emptied and cleaned.  One of the workers walked up towards the exit to get something, but EVERYONE followed her.  She retrieved her item and they made the return trip as well.  They did keep looking around for a place to swim and a couple managed to get behind the worker with the hose.

A quick peek in Texas Wild and this roadrunner catches Mister's eye.

While the Swift Fox catches mine.  So sweet.  Not too swift right now.

On our way out -- this wild turkey is making a commotion, but Mister's eagle eyes catch the deer in the corner.  Do you see him?

That's it for the zoo but as we are driving, a couple of statues are spotted.  The first is by Sutton Betti and is of  "32" World War II era army boots in bronze.  It is part of a large setup of a chair and a 17' butterfly net."  I worked with the photographer Gordon Trice to make these as authentic as the real thing, times two!"  These sit near the Children's Hospital.

We are hungry and want to get something before the rest of the city comes alive as it is noon now --- noon on a Sunday and we have seen VERY few people.  Hop Fusion is the spot.

No one inside and just us on the deck.  This works.

A couple of nice beer and Mister makes a run down the street for some food to go with and we are set for an hour or so of just sitting outside and relaxing.

Yes, it is warm, but not overly and there is a breeze which makes ONLY OUR umbrella spin.  So funny.

One more sculpture before we head home.  This one is the "Man With a Briefcase."  I had read about this one on Atlas Obscura when I knew we were driving over here.  It is 50' tall and weighs 24, 000 lbs.  This brushed aluminum plated scene of a businessman holding a briefcase has been in Burnett Park since 2002 and is the work of Jonathan Borofsky.  That's it for our morning and it's time to go back home.  The world is starting to move about.