Fun at the Zoo

So I know it has been a little while since my last post.  We've been enjoying the summer weather and just having fun.  :)


Last Monday we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs because Ben had a field trip there.  We usually go to the Denver Zoo a lot since we are members, so it was nice to go to a new zoo for a change.  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo claims that you get to see the animals up close, and for the most part you do.  


Alyse got to feed the giraffes, which was an interesting experience.  The giraffes are within reach and are hungry for the handouts.  Alyse was just in awe of the giraffes, since she has only ever gotten close to dogs and cats.  She kept staring, so the first time she fed the giraffes I had to hold her hand to guide the lettuce to the giraffe's mouth.  As the giraffe took the lettuce, it licked both of us, making Alyse jump back.  (It was rather warm and slimy.)  Due to the slimy tongue, she was timid, but she warmed up to it by the end and giggled as the giraffe ate the lettuce.

Here is the first experience Alyse had feeding the giraffe.  She was a little bit creeped out by the tongue I think, so this is me guiding her to give it to the giraffe.  Notice the expression on Alyse's face.  :)

Alyse jumped back from the giraffe's tongue.  I didn't realize they had such long tongues, but I guess it makes sense since they have to retrieve leaves from trees, I just never thought about it.  Alyse looks a bit surprised too.

Alyse started to get used to the tongue (kind of).

The last giraffe that Alyse fed.  She got more curious as we continued, although she would still jump back when she felt the slimy tongue.  :)

Alyse and I right before we started feeding the giraffes.  Clearly this giraffe wanted as much food as he could get his hands on.  He would stick his neck out for anyone who passed by, whether or not they had food for him.


Another cool thing that this zoo had was a little area where wallabies were just wandering around.  Of course when we got there midday, they were just resting, but it was still cool that we could get that close.  There was a baby one that a trainer was letting people pet, but there were a lot of people around it, so the picture below is the only photo we got of the wallabies.

It was a good day at the zoo, although it was very hot.  I think that was part of the reason that a lot of the animals we saw were sleeping.  On that note, I'm going to go to bed, but I will put up another post soon about Alyse's pool time with Nonna and Aunt Kathleen.