Walk with the animals, talk with the animals

We spent Easter at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. This was the best zoo I've ever visited. The Australians may be a little less lawsuit-phobic than Americans. Many of the exhibits let you get in and mingle among the animals. In this exhibit, we passed through a sally port and wandered around a trail populated by kangaroos, wallaby, and emus.

Friday night festival

Every Friday evening in neighboring Monrovia, they close off the cute downtown's streets for a farmer's market, craft fair, and children's carnival. There are jumpers, a petting zoo, and pony rides. Part of the California lifestyle is learning to expect that this sort of thing goes on all year round.

Don't be chicken

A year later, we are back at the "Farm Babies" exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo. Ellen was particularly fond of brushing the baby goats and seeing the piglets. We had to cajole her into posing for this picture.

Butterballs

Butter turkeys, obviously a takeoff on the butter Easter lambs. I missed seeing the butter pumpkins last month.

Spot the lizard

This Southern campus has iguanas all over it! I spent a lot of time trying to find them. One guy took pity on me and flushed one from its resting place, so I got to see the little green guy scurry away.

Up North, we just have squirrels.

Got her goat

"No, goat! Don't eat my stroller!"