The visit yesterday at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park was not just to enjoy Luke the Lion’s new Pride but to also discover other exciting and exotic wildlife.
Let’s first watch Luke trying to take a mid-morning rest, while his cubs had other ideas.
We walked towards the bird-house, crossing over a bridge on the Asia Trail. A magnificent beast was pacing along the small pond getting some exercise.
In the aviary a beautiful peacock was preening, making sure each feather was perfect.
The Burrow Owls kept their glaring eyes on me, wondering if perhaps I was a zoo keeper with food.
A Guira Cuckoo slinked by inquisitive as to who the visitors were.
And the pink Flamingos stood guard over their eggs, waiting for the day that their babies will emerge.
A large rookery of Black Crowned Night Herons have made the National Zoo their summer retreat. Seems the zoo staff have been trained well and provide afternoon meals to the summer migrants. While the adults lounged in most of the zoo pens, the juveniles were all kept in their own nursery pen. Mind you, this is all by choice as these wild birds have made the zoo their home.
Even the water lilies were in full glory on the walkabout. A perfect ending to a perfect summer day.
Categories: Birds, Nature, travel, Washington DC
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
STUNNING captures – they’re gorgeous!!! 🙂
Aww…thank you so much Joanne!
Yay! more beautiful shots from your visit! 🙂 🙂
You are too sweet ! I uploaded the best ones onto my smugmug site of the lions. The gallery also has images from his first cubs in 2012.
http://bellaremyphotography.smugmug.com/Animals/Lion-Cubs-at-the-National-Zoo/i-dcPP49W
Ah I see daddy grouch does give in to the cuteness of his cubs eventually huh! 🙂
Really nice images, makes me want to go there!
I hope you’re in the area so that you can Bob.
Great video! And of course, fantastic captures. We travel this world with spectacular friends that have wings or four legs!
I’m sick Rebecca..I’m in love with that video and probably have watched it 20 times. I think it’s the music and how perfectly it fit to the scene. Hugs to you my dear.
Loved them all, but especially the elephant, you were able to get so much detail in your photo!
You’d be shocked how I got those elephant shots. Had the camera all set up for the lions. Set it down. Click Click and perfection! All about timing and knowing your camera. 🙂
Beautiful stroll. Thanks for taking me with you. I loved watching Luke
My pleasure with sharing these with you Pat. So thrilled that you watched the video as I thought it was pretty special.
Gorgeous shots, Emily. Those flamingos are magnificent. 🙂
I was so thrilled to see them on their nests. Now to find out when the babies are hatched and a return visit.