All Creatures - Photo Essay
Nita and Nova, nearly 1 year old grizzly cubs
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
- opening verse of poem by Cecil Francis Alexander
Here is a short photo essay from today at the Maryland Zoo. This local treasure has recently been graced by the birth of Willow the giraffe in February and the addition of orphaned sister grizzly cubs, Nita and Nova. One of the fondest places of my childhood was the Brookfield Zoo, and I had thought about becoming a veterinarian. Though it was wondrous to see grizzly bears in their native habitat at Denali National Park, it was also a real treat to see them up close. The polar bear also decided to take a dive, visible through glass windows, treating us to her graceful ballet. The raven's feathers were truly black and purple, true to team colors.
Nita standing on the enrichment toy - snacks in frozen ice
Still at it
Anoki, the polar bear and her ball
Treating us to diving
... and underwater polar bear ballet
Glass allowing us to watch Nita from a couple of feet away
standing on things is interesting to this young bear
Conquer, a Baltimore Raven
Purple and black feathers decorating a bird who travels to football games
Penguins standing in various states of ceremony, waiting for breakfast
Willow being pretty
Not exactly hiding
Smaller shadow
40,000 muscles divided into 150,000 units are thought to allow the elephant's trunk to do this!
other tricks this elephant can do
One of many beautiful birds
This cat basking in the spring sunshine
Curiosity
Conversation between sisters
Nap after the end of hibernation season
Standing on things is fun
Bear or rock?
Prairie Dog
Cuteness
and double-cute!
