Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: through glass

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and their long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm. "The Snow Leopard cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard." From Wikipedia. "The total wild population of the snow leopard is estimated at between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals. In 1972, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered," the same classification given the panda and the tiger.....There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems." From Wikipedia. There are also 600-700 snow leopards in zoos around the world. Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.

This morning, after viewing the photos I posted last night, from our second day at Pt Pelee, I needed to remind myself that I CAN take much better photos, given the opportunity : ) So, I decided to find, edit and post three "better", more colourful images. These three were all taken at the Calgary Zoo on 26 June 2018. The last time I had visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but has now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I have been waiting for this day for a long time. This day was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I decided to go before schools closed for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. When I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking. My intention had not been to visit the Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. There was no glass in front of one of the Pandas, but two other Pandas, including the one in this photo, were in a glassed-in part of the enclosure. Almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. I will add some information later about these very special guests of our Zoo. The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby - such a cute little thing, that they have named Gobi. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it. A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.

Independence Day, 4th July! Thinking of our neighbours to the south and Americans around the world on this special day. A special thought to all those who serve to protect the American people. "Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2." From Wikipedia. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "At one time the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur, leading to its extermination in some areas. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes. Today, the greatest threat to its continued existence comes from loss of habitat as forests are cut down." From www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey . The last time I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but has now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises.. My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it. A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.

Three weeks ago, on 3 November 2014, my daughter and I spent a few hours at the Calgary Zoo. I rarely visit the Lion enclosure, but I’m glad we went that Monday, as the lions were reasonably active – at least the males were, while the females looked on or had a nap. This photo makes me smile because it reminds me of so many of my baby photos – I almost always had my tongue out, lol. Weird : ) African lions live on the plains and savannahs of East, Central and Southern Africa. The Calgary Zoo has four of these animals – 2 males who are brothers and 2 females. The two male lions were born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 2010 ((corrected from 2012) and arrived at the Calgary Zoo late July 2012. "They are of the lion subspecies krugeri (Panthera leo krugeri) and since their parents are directly from South Africa they are considered founders in the Species Survival Program and North American population. The two females are about 18 years of age, so there are no plans to breed them with the immature males. However, it is expected that the Species Survival Plan will eventually see breeding-age female lions transferred to Calgary to be paired with the male lions.” Their Conservation Status: Vulnerable. “Lions are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Prides are family units that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride’s lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male. Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. These intimidating animals mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase off animals that encroach on their turf.” From National Geographic. www.nationalgeographic.com/prototype/topics/african-lion/...

Ten days ago, on 3 November 2014, my daughter and I spent a few hours at the Calgary Zoo. I rarely visit the Lion enclosure, but I’m glad we went on Monday, as the lions were reasonably active – at least the males were, while the females looked on or had a nap. African lions live on the plains and savannahs of East, Central and Southern Africa. The Calgary Zoo has four of these animals – 2 males who are brothers and 2 females. The two male lions were born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 2010 ((corrected from 2012) and arrived at the Calgary Zoo late July 2012. "They are of the lion subspecies krugeri (Panthera leo krugeri) and since their parents are directly from South Africa they are considered founders in the Species Survival Program and North American population. The two females are about 18 years of age, so there are no plans to breed them with the immature males. However, it is expected that the Species Survival Plan will eventually see breeding-age female lions transferred to Calgary to be paired with the male lions.” Their Conservation Status: Vulnerable. “Lions are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Prides are family units that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride’s lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male. Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. These intimidating animals mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase off animals that encroach on their turf.” From National Geographic. www.nationalgeographic.com/prototype/topics/african-lion/...

A couple of days ago, on 3 November 2014, my daughter and I spent a few hours at the Calgary Zoo. I rarely visit the Lion enclosure, but I’m glad we went on Monday, as the lions were reasonably active – at least the males were, while the females looked on. African lions live on the plains and savannahs of East, Central and Southern Africa. The Calgary Zoo has four of these animals – 2 males who are brothers and 2 females. The two male lions were born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 2010 ((corrected from 2012) and arrived at the Calgary Zoo late July 2012 . "They are of the lion subspecies krugeri (Panthera leo krugeri) and since their parents are directly from South Africa they are considered founders in the Species Survival Program and North American population. The two females are about 18 years of age, so there are no plans to breed them with the immature males. However, it is expected that the Species Survival Plan will eventually see breeding-age female lions transferred to Calgary to be paired with the male lions.” Their Conservation Status: Vulnerable. “Lions are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Prides are family units that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride’s lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male. Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. These intimidating animals mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase off animals that encroach on their turf.” From National Geographic. www.nationalgeographic.com/prototype/topics/african-lion/...

You would never guess that this photo was taken through filthy glass! I had to remove more than a few spot marks from the image - worth it, I think, as the main part of the face was clear and un-spotty in the original. Not sure if this was Mom or Dad Colobus Monkey, actually. After leaning next to the huge glass "wall" for quite a while, s/he got up and went to lie down in the grassy area, to give the other parent a break. Within a split second, Junior was bouncing on him/her and having a wonderful (hyper!) time. So like a human family - very endearing! "At one time the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur, leading to its extermination in some areas. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes. Today, the greatest threat to its continued existence comes from loss of habitat as forests are cut down." From www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey .