An Afternoon at the Zoo
There’s a terrific small zoo in Essex County NJ named TURTLE BACK ZOO that I visit every few years. It’s not far from New York City,
and I recommend it to any of you who, like yours truly,
relish an afternoon with the animals.
The people responsible for Turtle Back Zoo had some real imagination,
as witness these shots.
The zoo even boasts a fine Merry-Go-Round.
And just tell me – in what other zoo can you find a sculpture as touching
as this?
Let’s start with the smallest animal – the prairie dog – playful little critters . . .
. . . with which intrepid kids can get up close and personal.
Switching now from the little guys to the burliest bison around.
The buffalo was easy enough to spot, but the spotted hyena posed a problem. All I was able to achieve is this shot (below the sign) which I believe is his rear end. The red panda was a little more available
to photographers.
Now we’re entering Big Cat Country – one awake and watchful,
the others snoozing.
But these lions, although prone, are plenty awake . . . .
. . . from any angle.
Check this cheetah out closely – you’ll see why in a moment.
Turtle Back Zoo is the home base for an extraordinary friendship between two best buddies, a cheetah and a dog – although I have to confess that the bottom left shot was the closest inkling I was able to get.
There’s a lot of imaginative statuary in this zoo.
The porcines above are for real; the one my buddy Gent is sitting on is not.
There’s a pony ride for the kids . . .
. . . and some goats to feed.
Two antelopes at rest and asleep.
Some creatures from the sea.
The peacock is the most exquisite member of the bird family . . . .
. . . while the pelican, although of real interest, is perhaps the homeliest.
The eagle at rest; and the wingspan of his sculpted image towering
above Gent.
Of all zoo animals, my favorite photographic subject is the giraffe. After this introductory quartet, I’ve picked out five shots of the breed that really appeal to me, as we say farewell to Turtle Back Zoo.
What a duo!
Who’s that peeking over the flora?
Forming the letter “y” –
– and showing they really care.