A Day at the Zoo

As usual, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather today and go to the Kyoto Municipal Zoo. Entrance fee is 500¥ for adults. A sunny spring day is the best cause even though the sun is shining brightly, the weather is just nice...not too hot like a summer's day where you will be spending most of your time hiding from the sun and wiping the sweat from your face. I had cycled past the zoo many times but the place seemed so small for a zoo. However, since I refused to stay indoors today and had no money to go shopping, the zoo was my best option. I have to say that I really did enjoyed myself today but I had to compare Kyoto's zoo to Taiping's zoo and I think that Taiping's zoo wins hands down. And not because I am a Taiping girl, therefore am biased. But I think that the Taiping's zoo's concept is better in the sense that there are more open spaces instead of cages for the animals to roam about. But all in all, it was a good outing. Poor Eddie, he was so tired at the end. One thing I regret though, I did not bring a pen or paper with me, so I couldn't jot down all the names of the animals.



I have to start with the peacocks cause they are gorgeous! Look at the colour! That brilliant blue. Wow....There were three, or was it four male peacocks in the enclosure. The first time we were there, one of the males spread his plumage. Then the next time we were there, three of them spread their beautiful feathers. What a sight. They were trying to impress the females.



Look at those feathers. I adjusted the contrast for this photo. If not, the colour would not come out so nicely.



A close up look at the plumage. Also adjusted the contrast for this picture.



The Japanese serow with the twisted horn. I think it is the Japanese serow.



A sea turtle swimming away. There were three species of turtles in that aquarium itself. I have no idea which one this is.



Penguin having fun



The penguins enjoying the cool water.



Pink flamingos. They had a large mirror installed at one part of the enclosure. I wonder what it is for. To fool the birds into thinking there is a large group of them?



Hippo's head. It was gigantic! There were two of them I think. I wanted it to open it's huge mouth for me, but it didn't.



Up, close and personal with a male mandrill's mouth. Contrast adjusted. Too much reflection on the glass wall.



Up, close and personal with a male mandrill's ass. Contrast adjusted. Again, too much reflection.



Crocodile or aligator? Please someone tell me. I think it is a croc.



Interesting sea/fresh water animal. Is it a toad species? Or something else? Contrast / brightness adjusted for this picture.



Aren't my feet pretty? Lar Gibbon



Looking out through the glass wall. Lar Gibbon or White handed gibbon



Such a sad picture. The cage...the solitary figure huddled at the corner. A beautiful day outside but trapped inside. Lar Gibbon