A Trip to the Zoo...

We recently found out we live a mere 10 minutes away from a very cool zoo and aquarium. How we've lived in Litchfield Park for a year and half and not known about it is beyond me, but we did! My kids first fundraiser for the school year was a somewhat cool coupon booklet, which included a free pass with purchase for the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. I took my oldest son, to test out the waters, as he was set to leave us for a few months, and spend some time with his dad in Michigan. It was a fun little send off trip for the two of us!

I have decided that while my son may look like a 12 year old John Lennon, he must channel Dr. Doolittle. All of the animals were oddly enthralled with the kid! Not just the normally inquisitive ones either, the mountain lions, alligator, cranes, giraffes, and monkeys all followed him around whenever he moved around their habitats. Even when several other people were present. My jaw finally hit the ground when one of these spastic monkeys paused near him, and slowly reached it's hand out to hold Caleb's fingers. Caleb was stunned, and thank God, I had my camera!!



Here is a mountain lion with his necked craned around to keep his sights set on the little Dr. Doolittle boy. Once Caleb was close, the lion walked right up to him and just stared. It avoided the rest of us onlookers like the plague.


And these funny guys were too busy fighting with each other to notice anyone...


In spite of the fact that the other zoo-goers were enticing this long-necked fellow with handfuls of giraffe food (whatever that is) he refused to leave Caleb's side, and frequently licked him with his long purple tongue!


Petting a mama deer while she takes an afternoon nap...


We learned that baby deer chase their tales just like puppies (albeit more awkwardly), who knew?


Take cover my boy! He was accosted by an unruly gang of hungry pygmy goats, a 12 year old's worst nightmare, esp when you have long hair...


Caleb snapped this photo, and it just may be my favorite of the day! I had no idea that seahorses mate for life!!! How cool! We loved watching them dance around with each other...


I don't know of many things that can bring about smiles as quickly as petting a pool full of rays. They remind me of little kittens, they way they rub against your hands, and flap at you happily...


One of the eerily cool albino alligators... I swear one of them wanted to eat me for lunch. He ran faster than I knew a lizard that size could move to the other side of the glass where I stood, and got in pouncing position. I ran, fast.