Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Denver Zoo


This week was spring break for our area's school district so my husband and I decided to take our grandsons to spend the day in the Denver Zoo! (All photos and photo collages in this post can be enlarged for easier viewing if clicked on)


The Denver Zoo is located at 2300 Steele Street in Denver, Colorado and is an 80-acre facility, founded in 1896. It is one of the most popular attractions in Denver. It became the first zoo in the United States to use naturalistic zoo enclosures rather than cages with bars.


If you click on to enlarge this photo you can see the general layout of the zoo and some of the day's shows.


Our grandsons were certainly excited to be here!


They each had their zoo maps to follow, and both decided to stop for a snack to give them fuel for all the walking we were going to do/


We enjoyed seeing the Siberian tigers, giraffes,  zebras, snow leopards and striped hyenas.


The bears --Grizzly, Asiatic Black bears and polar bears--looked to be very sleepy in the early morning sun! The Bear Mountain was built in 1918 and was the first naturalistic habitat of its kind in North America. It is composed of giant plaster casts of actual rock outcroppings from an area near Morrison, Colorado.


The bears may have been sleepy, but our grandboys were full of energy and enjoyed playing for a while in one of the zoo's playground areas.



We then went into the Tropical Discovery area, that mimics a rain forest environment with waterfalls and jungle ruins, where we saw a Komodo dragon, tropical fish, lizards and snakes, and giant turtles.


Next, we viewed the majestic Asian elephants! They splashed in the pools and roamed the two miles of trails in their new 10 acres "Toyota Elephant Passage" area.


Gibbon monkeys swung overhead on Monkey Island, and the boys had a chance to mimic them on another zoo playground.


We also saw camels, maned wolves, water buffalo, and rhinos, as well as other animals I did not photograph. You can see photos of all the animals that are contained in the Denver Zoo on this link.



One of my favorite areas was the Bird House that had over 200 species of exotic birds from around the world!  Many were allowed to fly free inside the building's natural settings.


We enjoyed a ride on the Conservation Carousel///


...and the Pioneer Train.


From the looks of these two happy boys, I'd say our day at the Denver Zoo was a happy one, don't you agree?


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40 comments:

Pallavi said...

Such a joyful post :) looks like the kids enjoyed their day at the zoo.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, looks like your grandsons enjoyed the Denver Zoo. I would like to visit there myself. I always enjoy seeing all the animals and the bird house.. Wonderful photos, have a happy new week!

Tanna said...

Oh, yes! I'd say those two had a grand time at the zoo! Such a very nice zoo, too. And, you know I love the 'minion' hat! ;) blessings ~ tanna

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Aw, the boys look so happy. I would be too if you'd taken me to the zoo. You guys are having too much fun in retirement Pat :)
Sam

Anonymous said...

Looks like a wonderful zoo. Such a great destination with little ones!

Susie said...

Pat, Your grandsons are so cute. I had forgotten just what all you could see at a zoo. Zoos are wonderful fun for children and can be educational. Bless you and yours. I am glad you are happy in your new area. xoxo,Susie

Michelle said...

They do look like they had a great time :)

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Oh Pat - You're so lucky to have those grandchildren and to be so close to be a part of their lives. You and Vinny are making memories they'll have forever.

podso said...

I'm guessing there were two tired but happy boys at the end of that day! How special that you could spend a day there with them. It was fun to see all the photos.

Gracie said...

Zoo for kids is like Wonderland!!! I'm sure your grandchildren were so happy to be there with their "nonni"...

Joyful said...

What a sweet post. I can see all the joy on your grandsons' faces. I'm sure they had a wonderful day!

Fun60 said...

What a terrific place for a day out. The boys certainly looked like they had a great time.

ann said...

The little boys are so cute. The zoo is always such a treat. My dad used to take me when I was litte and it was alwayts a special day. I have not been in years and it has changed so much. The elephants were always my favs. What was yours?

carol l mckenna said...

Happy, colorful and creative photography. I must say you seem to be enjoying every minute in Colorado and this grand children ~ So glad for you! What a gift!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

LV said...

A perfect way to spend spring break for the whole family.

Annesphamily said...

Great photo shares Pat! My daughter Rebekah and I went to the zoo a few weeks ago and she captured a shot of the grizzly bear standing up as if saying "Go ahead, take my picture!". I had to stop by Famous Dave's and take my photo with the carved wood bear outside the establishment! LOL! Rebekah has a real connection with the animals and she interacts with them through the glass enclosures. It is always fun to visit the zoo. My son and his girlfriend took Her daughter who is 6 to the exhibit at the History and Science Museum. It was the Mythological exhibit and he said Addy had the best time! Happy Blue Monday Pat! Have a great week and beautiful Easter Day!

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

Your grandsons look cute dressed in blue--just like little boy blue! Thanks for playing today.

Happy Blue Monday!

Donna said...

Oh they had so much fun...love the carousel.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The boys appear to be at the age where a trip to the zoo is an impressionable event. When I see all the snacks our grands get I feel bad in thinking back to our daughters only having a quick something after school. They must have been hungry all the time. LOL
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Pat.

Unknown said...

what a wonderful time you all had :)
zoos are such interesting places :)

The Gathering Place said...

Zoos and grand kids equals fun and néw memories!

Pamela Gordon said...

HI Pat. What a fun day you had with your cute grandsons. They sure look like they had a fun time. I haven't been to a zoo for a long time but hope to visit the Calgary Zoo sometime with our grandsons. Have a great week. Pam

NCSue said...

Way cool!
Please come share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-beautiful-almond-tree.html

Anonymous said...

I'm always torn about seeing animals in zoos.

Your grandkids are adorable!

Anonymous said...

Hello Pat,
what a fun day at a wonderful location. Your collages are so nice and your grandsons are so cute. I think it was a beautiful day!
I wish you a nice week
moni

Thanks if you visit my blog
http://www.reflexionblog.de

Rajesh said...

Very nice zoo. There is lot to see here.

Buttercup said...

What a fun day. Looks like a great time was had by all. Your photographs are terrific!

Pondside said...

The final photo says it all - look at those smiles! This took me back to visits to the zoo when our children were small. What a great day!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

VERY Happy boys indeed! :)

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Beautiful, interesting photos! I loved especially the birds, so colourful.
And the boys look very happy indeed, must have been a great day. :)
Joyful Easter!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Oh, this looks like so much fun and I know the boys loved it. Look at all of the animals! What a change from The City, huh? :) Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie and Happy Easter.
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

The zoo is always a success for little ones - can't remember ever seeing that many elephants in a zoo, as well as bears! Great share and happy Easter:)

Rue said...

Your grandsons are so cute :)

What a great zoo! I miss going to them.

xo,
rue

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

So important to take the time to enjoy those grand babies! Have a blessed Easter.

Light and Voices said...

Grandchildren are the BEST!
JM, IL

Molly said...

Great shots and it looks like your boys had a real blast

Mollyxxx

eileeninmd said...

Hi Pat, wonderful critter post! I love all the animals and your cute family. Thank you for linking up, have a great weekend! Happy Easter!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a fun day you had out and gorgeous photos to show for it . HAPPY EASTER.

A Colorful World said...

A wonderful zoo trip! I love that natural bear enclosure. The elephants looks so happy too. Chuckled over the gibbon monkey boys! :-)

Daniela said...

My sweetest Pat
I cannot find the words to apologize for this delay of mine, a fortnight of 'holidays' from work saw us working full immersion in restoration works in a new room which we're going to rent and where everything had to be done, from walls, floors, forniture and so on to arrive to those little details that make a room a cozy room ... so, my husband has come back to his work, I'm still going on waxing old family piece of furniture and taking care of the last refinements .... I hope to have your understanding !
I've been missing you so much, some days I hadn't even the time to on my notebook, alas !
I thank you for everything you always share and I hope that your Easter tima was Blessed and Holy to you and your dears.
I wish you so much love and with much gratitude I'm huging you with all my heart
Dany