Road to Tinley...first stop...the Zoo

**Russell** · 10-16-07, 08:48 PM

Wed Oct 10 we had a short delay as we had to have a leaky fuel line on the car replaced. So though we got started late we made good time and made it to Menomonie, WI early enough to be able to stop and see Cat Eyed Lady, her son, and mother Mysterry. We enjoyed chatting and I left a few snakes there.

Thursday we got up and headed to the Minnesota Zoo. That is my mother, Rebecca, Christina and I. Christina and I had been there before and so for us, it was great fun watching Rebecca's reactions to seeing all the different animals. To make an understatement, she had a blast! I know the last time I had gone they had closer to five dolphins. Now they only had two? We stuck to the indoor exhibits as we didn't feel Becca was up to doing all that much walking and neither were we! As I had remembered how much walking could be involved! But overall it was great to see everything!

Cat_Eyed_Lady · 10-16-07, 09:02 PM

Sounds like a great time was had by all at the zoo

I can see her asking to bring the animals home as pets

hehe

ballpiefun · 10-24-07, 03:55 AM

I thought I was pretty good at identifying all types of animals but I am completely flummoxed by the fish/bird captured in the 2nd and 3rd from last of your photos. What is it?

Cat_Eyed_Lady · 10-24-07, 04:31 AM

I believe its a type of leafy sea dragon .... they are in the sea horse family

ballpiefun · 10-24-07, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Cat_Eyed_Lady

I believe its a type of leafy sea dragon .... they are in the sea horse family

I've been Scuba Diving for over 20 years and have never seen one of these before. It is so beautifully unusual. Any idea where it is native to?

Cat_Eyed_Lady · 10-24-07, 08:25 AM

This is what I found ....Weedy Sea Dragons grow to a mature length of about 18 inches (45 cm). They use camouflage as their primary defense, and are found along the southern reefs and sandy underwater areas of Australia. Though relatively common compared to Leafy Sea Dragons, Weedy Sea Dragons are also government protected, and subject to strict export controls.

Mysterry · 10-25-07, 01:32 AM

Wow ... For some reason i just saw these photos tonite... Did you have to explain why she could'nt touch or have a dolphin or shark at home? lol

**hana** · 10-25-07, 02:09 AM

gibbon, gibbon, gibbon, gibbon! wooo gibbon!

I sorta kinda like gibbons...

hana

Jessicat · 11-02-07, 05:13 PM

Their locomotion style is very cool. Not sure if the tiny zoo cages allow for a whole lot of brachiation though. That gibbon looks rather sad.

**hana** · 11-02-07, 07:18 PM

They pretty much always look like that. Gibbons and spider monkeys kinda have a depressed look about them.

hana