Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo...

A couple of days ago, we went to the Cincinnati Zoo to get a glimpse of Gladys.  Gladys is the little gorilla who was rejected by her birth mother and was sent to the Cincinnati Zoo. The zookeepers there acted as surrogate mothers for her at first.  Recently, however, the zookeepers introduced Gladys to her gorilla foster mom M'Linzi.  It was good news that M'Linzi accepted Gladys right away and so did M'Linzi's daughter Mara.  Together, they have been caring for the very adorable Gladys for the last few weeks. 

Gladys is only out for a limited time for viewing and only if the weather is cooperative.  I was worried that she wouldn't be out while we were in the park, but we got lucky and Gladys came out on time and was out for just a little while before her gorilla moms decided to take her in.  Here she is:

While Gladys was out, her surrogate mom Mara was keeping a close eye on her and everyone in the area.

I got a chuckle when I looked at this sign.  I am sure that the gorillas throw more than dirt.  Can't say that I can really blame them.

 Gladys, Mara and M'Linzi went inside after about ten minutes so we went off to explore other creatures at the zoo...like this cheeky giraffe.

 We saw another blue tongued creature, a Blue Tongued Skink, named Periwinkle.

A very tired lion.

And a White Handed Gibbon family.  The parents gave each other a spontaneous hug as the kid looked on.  It's hard to believe that these creatures don't have feelings.

 

And this Orangutan, Lana, who apparently likes to sit around with paper draped over her head.

 I went back to our hotel very tired but very happy to have spent some time with these wonderful creatures in such a nice surrounding.

THE END

 

Missing spring and other random thoughts…

1)  I am feeling nostalgic for spring today, thus the explanation for the pics I posted.  On Wednesday this week it seemed perfectly spring-like with the temps in the mid-60s, but on Thursday, it abruptly turned into summer with 90 degree temps and humidity besides.  Having lived in New England for more than 30 years now, I should be used to this precipitous leap into summer, but it always seems to sideswipe me and I don’t like it.  I suppose you can tell that I’m not a summer person.

2)  I think that if you keep the lights off when it is really warm out, it seems cooler.  I do a lot of sitting around in the “dark” when the temps hit 90.

3)  I am in love with a gorilla and I am going to post a link here so you all can fall in love with her, too.  Her name is Gladys and she is a baby Western Lowland Gorilla who was abandoned by her actual mother and is being raised at the Cincinnati Zoo by humans who act as surrogates and wear gorilla vests.  Eventually, she will be put with a gorilla surrogate.  She is just about the most freakin’ adorable being on this earth.  She is now older than she was in this video but still just as precious.

4)  Speaking of zoos, my daughter Carrie and I got a chance when she was about 10 years old to do a behind the scenes zoo tour at the Worcester (Massachusetts) Science Center (now called the Ecotarium).  At that time, they had two polar bears and we got to go into their den.  What magnificent beings!!  We were separated from them by a metal grate so got to be pretty close.  While we were in the enclosure one of them growled and I just about jumped out of my skin.  What a voice!  That day is one of the fondest memories of my life.  It gave me a love and respect for polar bears that has never gone away.  Seeing creatures (human and otherwise) up close often has that effect on me.  I suppose I am fairly typical in that respect.

 

5)  Greg has been on a week-long motorcycle trip with a couple of friends.  They circumnavigated Lake Superior, I think.  I will have to clear up the details with him once he returns tomorrow.  I don’t want to go on a motorcycle, but I do want to circumnavigate Lake Superior.  So I am a bit envious.

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