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. 

Jacksonville Florida Zoo in January {2019}

While I cannot imagine visiting this zoo in Florida later in the year when it would be scorching hot, I think January was a perfect month for a visit.  We visited for Eddie's 41st birthday weekend.  I was hugely pregnant and didn't feel like walking too much, but this zoo has a sweet little train ride around the zoo so that helped limit the walking.  Unbeknownst to us all, this would be our last excursion before baby Maggie unexpectedly arrived one week later over a month early.  I am glad we got this trip in with the boys.

We found a Happy Birthday sign at the zoo for Daddy.  The zoo's Christmas decorations were also still displayed.  

These boys loved riding the train. 

Mattox enjoyed helping Brody read the map. 

The train takes you around the back side of the zoo so you do get a different view than when you are walking inside the zoo.  Sometimes you can see the animals closer if they are at the back of their habitats.  We got a good view of an ostrich and cheetah. 

We saw some of the African animals like the African crowned crane (I think) and impala. 

We did get a better view of the elephants because many of them were hanging out at the back of their large habitat. I do think the animals were out more in January than they would have been in the hot summer. 

The giraffes are always my favorite, and we did get a more up close view of them later. 

A carousel is always a favorite with these boys.  We love the awesome animals on this one.  Grayson got to ride on a manatee, and Mattox rode a gorilla. 

Evan chose a cheetah over his usual ostrich which he let Brody ride.  He just likes fast animals.  

I love these babies.  Daddy rode with them because of Mommy's condition. 

Mattox did get a little concerned while in motion.  

Big brother Evan sweetly helped Brody down from his ostrich. 

We also love the beautifully colored flamingos.  Apparently, flamingos in zoos are more brightly colored than in nature because they are fed more beta carotene. 

Just watching the flamingos together.  Yes, I was huge!

This zoo allows you to interact closely with giraffe and even feed them some leaves. 

They are so beautiful and graceful. 

Mattox was pretty excited to see the giraffe so close. 

It was their turn to feed the giraffe.  

They did get one giraffe who was very interested in eating their leaves. 

He showed them his very long tongue. 

Their tongues are crazy! They also have really long eyelashes so I always thought the reminded me of Brody a little. 

This lazy chimpanzee was just sunning himself and airing it all out.  Haha!  He was very close to the viewing window. 

Mr. Silverback Gorilla stayed at the back of his habitat. 

A ferocious but festive bobcat attacked Daddy.  Haha!

But this bobcat was all cuteness!

Maybe other people will enjoy it, but I am not a fan of the reptiles who are housed in the Lost Temple.  

But I am a fan of these adorable boys! 

Awe, look at those cute mer-people and manatees. 

Mattox led the way to the Winter Wonderland.  

Which way do we go, Mattox? 

We found the penguins.  It seems unnatural to see penguins in a place like Florida.  They had a large "outside" exhibit, but I guess the temperature of the air and water was regulated to be cool enough for some snow and ice as they slid on the icy rocks into the water.  

I like watching them slide on their bellies into the water. 

Grayson and Brody found a little igloo to play in. 

The cutest penguins ever. 

Brody's lovely faces he made when I wanted pictures of him with the train.  

One of the highlights of the trip was getting to pet the stingrays.  They really could have stayed here all day. 

Yep, arms in up to their elbows. 

I loved watching them because they were so happy.  

We got a good view of the cheetah in the late afternoon. 

We also felt privileged to see this sight.  The male lion got up and came down off his rock to put on a show of roaring.  We think it was his supper time, and he was telling his keepers to bring his steaks.  Haha! 

He then proceeded to roll around in the grass just like a cat.  He looked like he wanted his belly scratched. 

Daddy and Mattox pose with the birthday sign together. 

Brody wanted pictures with the Christmas decorations. 

Mommy with her three oldest babies before their baby sister arrived 5 weeks early the very next week.