How Do You Zoo?

We took the Metro bus, Green Line, and Red Line to get to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, otherwise known as the Zoo. We met Terri and Molly around 11:00 a.m. and headed first to the Great Ape house, where I was hoping to "Meet a Great Ape Keeper" (that didn't pan out). We did get to see several great apes, though they are described as "shy."

Near the Think Tank, where primate cognition research is done, we found a group of seven life-size chimpanzee sculptures in bronze, by acclaimed Maryland artist Bart Walter. Called "The Gathering," it portrays chimpanzee social roles. Here's the Dominant Male:

And here's Molly frolicking with the Matriarch:

We visited the cheetah conservation exhibit and saw several cheetahs.

This one might be cheetah prey.

One of the favorite exhibits at the zoo is the Giant Pandas. Here one is very intent on getting the honey off a milk crate. The aim is to keep the animals engaged and interested. The crates end up pretty much the worse for wear. One is displayed in the Panda House, full of teeth marks.

Here's the smallest of the elephants:

We saw lots of amphibians--mainly snakes.

Here's a giant tortoise. It reminded us of the concrete tortoises decorating Cherry Hill Park.

It was too hot to stay at the Zoo and see everything. We left about 2:30 p.m. and headed home.
When we got home, I drove to MOM's Organic Market nearby to pick up a few things. Then I went to Target and finally headed home to fix dinner.