A few pics from yesterday's visit to the Zoo.

[Ferry_vO]

The Rotterdam Zoo this time. One of the biggest and most interesting here, but unfortunately a 60 mile drive over very busy roads, otherwise I would go there more often.

Jellyfish:



Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake:



Some sort of Duck:



Nile Croc:



Ostrich:



Asian lion cub:



Prairie dogs:





Polar bear:



Steller's sea eagle:



Copy of a set of Megalodon shark jaws in the aquarium:



Like a real thief..:

[Ferry_vO]

And a few HDR shots; there's some old and interesting architecture to be found there as well.







My favourite place there; it's old, warm and filled with creepy creatures!



The Elefant's indoor enclosure:

[lefty]

Ah, Ferry, when I heard Jan Akkerman play I wanted to trash my guitar. With you, it's the camera...........

[Ferry_vO]

Thank you Mike!

The great thing about a camera is that you can delete any 'false notes' and polish up the other ones using software... Spending a lot on a good 'guitar' helps too!

[VinFlyer]

Nice pictures Ferry. I've never been to Blijdorp, but looks like I must pay a visit next time I'm in Rotterdam.

[Ferry_vO]

Thanks Vincent! It's a nice zoo, in my top three together with Arnhem and Emmen. Quite big so you'll need the better part of a day if you want to see everything. Some rare species there, and a lot of animals I really like, such as crocodiles, snakes and big cats.

[jmig]

Oh what nice pictures. I love the Ostrich and the second Prairie dog picture.

Thanks for sharing.

[Ferry_vO]

Thanks John!

That Ostrich was intesresting as I was almost close enough for him to peck me. I was the only visitor there at that moment so he really turned his attention towards me!

They might look funny, but they are really big and strong..


And speaking of big and strong: Meet Bokito, their male silverback gorilla!



A few years ago Bokito escaped his enclosure by jumping over the moat and climbing over a wall, just to attack and maul a spectator that annoyed him. Apparently smiling and showing your teeth to a gorilla is a sign of agression, not of joy. This poor woman didn't know and learned that lesson in a very hard way... She barely survived the attack.
Now the enclosure is changed and the wall height has been increased to over 15 feet. But despite the higher walls I still don't trust this animal.. He still looked like he was plotting an escape.
One of the few animals that really scared me, even in a zoo..