Quick update about the animal adventures. There is a small zoo-like-area here, and I went there with a new friend the first week of the New Year. It was really great to get out and see all of these animals. I figured out that I need to go earlier so that I can spend a full day there and really explore the zoo, but this was a good introductory trip.

There was a tour group going around seeing the larger animals kept in more secure fences, and everyone was snapping photos, pointing, and talking a little bit as we went around to most of the animal habitats. When we got to the giraffes, though, most people gasped or got silent for a moment, and then there was a flurry of very excited chatter. Perhaps it was the sunset taking place right behind their majestic heads, or the fact some were eating in such a cute way, like this one:

Another animal that, if not getting a reverential type of attention such as the Giraffes got, at least was common within the grounds, was the ostrich. They had at least two and maybe three varieties (plus emu), and one was actually pretty cute. You don't get to see him yet. Instead, here is the really gross looking one. Aptly named, and with what "Redneck" means to Americans, I thought it just that much more funny.

(I don't know if you can actually see the details of the sign, but if so you can see more of what day-to-day English is like around here. This is a professionally made sign, but it's just 'not quite right' ... NQR, as some of us call it.) ... whether or not you can see the details of the sign, if you didn't see the surprise behind it, look again... He blends in a little, but he's watching you!

This is just gross. You can see his scaly little nostril. I've gotta say though that they did have pretty eyeballs... the nice shape of the eye is somewhat distracted from by the rough skin and the fuzzy eyelashes, but the eyeball itself was really quite pretty.

Now, this one is just plain gross. He's blinking, so he looks a little possessed.

After getting rid of all the pictures that were just trash, I was still left with 500 from this day, about four-hundred of which were just ok. Another fifteen or so are just good for their textures, but then the rest are actually pretty decent photos. Of course, I've gotta go through and correct some of the just-ok pictures to make them more visible, so perhaps that will promote a few, because all of these pictures I've already posted needed that treatment.. I think I had my camera settings wrong that day (I was using my Nikon) and I really need more practice to not have to color-correct every photo I take!!

Now I'm about to be late for work if I don't leave right now, so ... bye!