Zoo Bee Doo

We had just one baby grand today, and the weather was gorgeous, so we packed Jac into the car and headed for the Santa Barbara Zoo. 

Turns out Mary had the same thought, so Jac and Donovan got to hang out together someplace besides grandmas house.

Jac’s choice for our first stop? 

Baby Pauline, the new lion cub, and her sleepy parents.

I wonder if lions suffer from sleep-deprivation like human parents do?

Lots of new stuff going on, from construction - switching the former elephant enclosure over to an Australian walkabout (crossing our fingers for kangaroos) - 

to new animals - 

among them a mate for Ajax, the Amur leopard. Crossing our fingers for baby leopards too.

It’s sad to lose the older animals we’ve come to know over the years (most recently the elephants and alligator) but also exciting for babies! and newness!

We always let the grands pick something from the zoo gift shop as we’re leaving. I can usually predict what will interest each kid but Jac surprises me the most often.

Today’s treasure? An emperor penguin play-set, complete with penguins, fence (?? I’ve never pictured fences in Antarctica), kayak and adventure guy. 

I have to admit I didn’t see that one coming.