Riverbanks Zoo {March 2020}

Eddie started his new job as the State Forester for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service in Columbia, SC the beginning of March.  He worked for about two weeks before they were all ordered to work from home because of the pandemic.  It has been hard on Eddie who needs to be able to meet and visit with the District Conservationists in his state so he can help them implement forest management practices and help get landowners the services they need.  Instead, he is meeting everyone online and writing new procedural guidelines for them to follow.  This event actually worked out for the best for our family though because, otherwise, he would have been staying in Columbia all week while I handled single parenthood in Georgia.  Before he got those orders and the kids' schools were closed, the boys had their Spring Break so we rode with Eddie to Columbia to scope out our new home.  We arrived on Sunday to visit the zoo which was actually its last day of being open for business before being shut down for the pandemic.  Many of the exhibits were already closed that day, but we enjoyed the visit.  Eddie's aunt has a family pass to the zoo so it did not cost us anything.  We do plan to make this zoo a regular family outing because it has a lot to offer with a carousel, train, climbing wall, and splash pad in the summer.  (Note:  all of these photos were taken with my son's older iphone because my phone had died on the drive and needed to charge and I didn't even bring the camera for this trip.  Oops!) 

It was a bit cloudy and drizzling on and off so this was our best attempt at pictures by the zoo sign. 

Brody was not cooperating of course.  

Attempting a picture with Daddy by the orangutan statue.  

We enjoyed watching the playful otters as they swam and played ball. 

The otters would swim up their little water fall.  Maggie and I with the sleepy bear. 

Wake up, Mr. Sleepy Head! 

Silly lions and lionesses.  One was chewing another's tail. 

Cool tigers. 

Tiger on the prowl. 

The koala house was closed, but we could see him through the window.  He was actually awake and moving which you can see better in a video.  That is very rare for these sleepy creatures. 

Cool birds. 

Bright pink flamingos are the girls' favorites.  

We sat and watched the seals and sea lions for a bit.  They do a fun show.