Most of the locals remember the “San Diego Zoo Safari Park” by its original name “The Wild Animal Park”. A Google search will take you to the same home page.
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aka Wild Animal Park |
February is for seniors in San Diego, and entrance to the Wild Animal Park is FREE to seniors all February! Not the $76 required the rest of the year! Our first choice is to ride the tram around the African Savanna exhibit – the tram is included in the admission and will develop long lines later in the day.
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Tram is down there |
Fran and I are seated on the right side of the tram. Not good as the tram runs in a counter-clockwise direction. The exhibit is enclosed by trench (if San Diego still had water this would be a moat). Inside the moat is a fencing, although it does keep the the display animals in, barbed wire was added to keep the local predators out. Shortly after it opened the local mountain lions enjoyed the buffet.
The pond provides water for the permanent residents and their guests. The White Pelicans are migratory, but why leave?
There are lots of long legged, fast running folks on the Savanna tour.
And some with shorter legs
Some are close, but most are further away.
The balloon ride is not included with admission. It is tethered and only goes up and down.
The little white blobs in the previous photo are these fellas. Their horns are so symmetrical in profile they look like a unicorn!
On TV shows the Savanna appears to be flat grasslands, however here there are some small rolling hills.
After our tram ride, we took one of the switchback trails back up. This allowed us a bit closer view of some of incarcerated animals. Check out the camouflage
The male ostrich picks out the spot where all his harem will lay their eggs.
The flowers/shrubs/trees are all well maintained, I often enjoy them more than the animals.
Ah but what's this?
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Gorongo Cycad ??? |
I'm not sure if he's ugly or cute. But I'm sure he's unique.
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Hornbill |
I missed the picture of him standing on his hind legs to enjoy a few leaves.
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Impala |
One of Fran's favorites, an Okapi. A zebra, gazelle or a critter still in his pajamas having breakfast?
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Okapi |
Beautiful slim fast critters
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Gazelle |
Here's the only gorilla on display. It looks like he's thinking about something.
And my favorite! Two fruitless trips to the Salton Sea searching for the Borrowing Owl, I coulda just visited the Wild Animal Park!
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Borrowing Owl |
Not only are seniors FREE at the Wild Animal Park, resident seniors also receive discounts in Balboa Park. I have a signed copy of Coast to Cactus, the San Diego trail guide that updates the Jerry Shad (RIP) 'bible' of local hiking “Afoot and Afield". And The NAT is having a Coast to Cactus exhibit! So we're off ...
Alongside the museum is the massive Morton Bay Fig. I think the one in Santa Barbara is larger, but this one is huge! It is now protected by a fence. I'm sure kids Kami and Michael were the last generation allowed access to play/climb here.
Nephew Bobby works for the City doing pool/fountain repairs. Nice job Bobby!
The NAT never disappoints.
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Four floors of exhibits |
However the Coast to Cactus exhibit was a bit under whelming .
We saw a Golden Eagle while hiking in the Ramona Grasslands. Fran and I both think the Golden Eagle should be our state bird
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Golden Eagle |
But alas the California Quail, and I do like the quails, has that distinction.
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California Quail |
Now how cool is this Halloween mask?
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Horned Toad |
We stopped for tostadas at El Indio on the way home. And that closes out February. Stay tuned for March ...
That is quite the savings! If we ever make it out there, we will have to make sure it is February. Love all your pictures and the variety of animals.
ReplyDeleteCertainly it is a savings worth taking advantage of. And a nice way to spend a winter's day.
DeleteGood morning Jeff…I agree that is quite the savings! The Hornbill is so ugly, it’s cute! And I always have coffee and breakfast in my jammies when we are home. I was so hoping to see a Burrowing Owl while in Yuma, but didn’t, so thank you for sharing your sighting. What a spectacular bird the Golden Eagle is and we ( I ) seldom see photos of the beautiful female. And El Indio for tostadas… now that hurts! 😃
ReplyDeleteGood morning Gay! I have seen the Burrowing Owls at the Salton Sea before, but this year. Was quite happy to settle to seeing one at the park.
DeleteEl Indio is easy to get to going north on I5, so it makes for a nice late lunch stop on the way home.
That's great that the park was free for you and that you shared it with us for free too!! It's been years, probably decades, since I've been and it's nice to see it's still well maintained for the animals. I agree the Golden Eagle would be a more majestic state bird - but the Quail are pretty dang cute :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jodee - You must remember it as the Wild Animal Park as well. It seems to get a bit better as the plants/trees/animals all mature.
DeleteYou are of course Quail are pretty dang cute! Perhaps my favorite bird, always fun to see a covey scurry around.