Since Jen and the kids love the Denver Zoo, I’ve visited it nearly every time I’ve visited. I took pictures of this striking East African crowned crane in a past visit,
but have no memory of most of the birds I saw this time.
For instance, I don’t remember seeing this startling Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, despite occupying a rather large area next to the lion exhibit. I was struck by how much its head resembled raven masks used by Northwest Indian tribes.
I suspect I’ve been so turned off by tacky flamingo statues stuck in suburban lawns I’ve never really appreciated the delicate beauty of a flamingo until I stopped to photograph this flock:
I even managed to finally see a Canvasback duck, a duck common in the Pacific Northwest but I’ve never spotted.
Much of what we finally see seems pre-determined by what we’re interested in seeing, doesn’t it? I suspect that the birds registered this time simply because I’ve become interested in birding in the last year.
Which isn’t to say that I didn’t also pay attention to my favorite animals. I can’t imagine any bird that could ever outweigh my love for elephants,
particularly for an elephant that can balance on its front legs while picking peanuts up out of the moat.
Kids are cute, very, but I must admit a partiality for the critters.
I used to love the zoo for many reasons, including the elephant! Great photos of the birds, too! Yeah, very clean and clear!