Philadelphia Zoo 2014...

Over the weekend, Mom and I went to the Philadelphia Zoo along with my niece and nephew. Usually we take a wheelchair along to make getting around a bit easier for Mom. This time around, Mom wanted to travel in style. She rented a motorized scooter. As usual, we came prepared for a picnic and had brought our own food and some bottled water. The scooter came with a basket that was a bit too small for our needs, but, we managed to find a home for everything.

On the morning that we arrived, it was still cool and the Cheetahs were out. I got a really nice picture of a Cheetah sitting out in the open. As we proceeded down the hill from the Cheetahs and headed in the general direction of the other big cats, it started to warm up a bit. The eagles were apparently nesting, so, they were not out and about. The lions were no feeling particularly photogenic on the day we arrived. The tigers, likewise, knew the exact spot to sit where they could be least observed. While we were there, none of the big cats elected to take advantage of the overhead walkways featured at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Eventually we made out way down to the large fountain near the north side of the zoo and it just happened to be around lunch time. We found a nice shady spot behind the fountain. And, as it happens, a small money had taken advantage of the overhead walkways and was perched at a convenient viewing distance. We had some sandwiches and picked up a couple of drinks and some pastry at a nearby coffee shop.

After lunch, we continued down the hill to the souvenir shop and snapped up a few mementos to commemorate our visit. We considered the possibility of taking a balloon ride, but, by then, the sun was out in full force and we didn't really feel the need to stand in a long line out in the heat. Also, my nephew, Anthony, was not feeling the need to leave the ground.

We headed back uphill and took the center pathway up into the area where the bears reside. We swung around past the penguins and returned to the outer pathway where we saw the rhinos and giraffes. I managed to get a nice clear shot of some bushes in front of the rhino and a nice picture of the giraffes.

As we continued to make our way uphill, we stopped for ice cream, sat on benches by the side of the road and watched as other visitors rode the camels. Afterwards we headed to the top of the hill where we had entered the zoo and turned in the scooter. There was some confusion over the parking, but, it was quickly resolved. The highlight of the day was when Anthony decided to fall face first in the parking lot. He was a little sore, but, was otherwise unharmed.

Even though some of the big cats decided to be uncooperative, all things considered, it was a good day.

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