https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/14274 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/14274 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:59:38 +0000 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:59:38 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438572 tag:ipernity.com,2018-10-07,doc-47438572 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 15:44:05 +0000 2018-10-05T14:02:15-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438572"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/72/47438572.7a3ec389.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY THANKSGIVING! A lovely sunny day, with a temperature of -2C this morning. However, a second snowstorm is forecast for the next two days (8 and 9 October). The first snowfall at the beginnng of October gave Calgary a record-breaking 38 cm of the white stuff and as much as 60 cm in Kananaskis. <br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. <br /> <br /> This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch this one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and that long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm.<br /> <br /> "The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. <br /> <br /> I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.</div> Red Panda / Ailurus fulgens <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438572"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/72/47438572.7a3ec389.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY THANKSGIVING! A lovely sunny day, with a temperature of -2C this morning. However, a second snowstorm is forecast for the next two days (8 and 9 October). The first snowfall at the beginnng of October gave Calgary a record-breaking 38 cm of the white stuff and as much as 60 cm in Kananaskis. <br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. <br /> <br /> This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch this one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and that long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm.<br /> <br /> "The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. <br /> <br /> I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438564 tag:ipernity.com,2018-10-07,doc-47438564 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 15:41:36 +0000 2018-10-05T14:09:46-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438564"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/64/47438564.134e25b7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY THANKSGIVING!<br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. <br /> <br /> This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and their long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm.<br /> <br /> "The Snow Leopard cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> "The total wild population of the snow leopard is estimated at between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals. In 1972, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered," the same classification given the panda and the tiger.....There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> There are also 600-700 snow leopards in zoos around the world.<br /> <br /> Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. <br /> <br /> I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.</div> Snow Leopard / Panthera uncia <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47438564"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/64/47438564.134e25b7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY THANKSGIVING!<br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. <br /> <br /> This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and their long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm.<br /> <br /> "The Snow Leopard cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> "The total wild population of the snow leopard is estimated at between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals. In 1972, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered," the same classification given the panda and the tiger.....There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> There are also 600-700 snow leopards in zoos around the world.<br /> <br /> Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. <br /> <br /> I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47138736 tag:ipernity.com,2018-08-12,doc-47138736 Sun, 12 Aug 2018 15:28:04 +0000 2018-06-26T16:30:39-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47138736"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/87/36/47138736.1f4f5757.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wish I could say that I saw this incredible bird out in the wild, but, I can't : ) I have seen them a couple of times before, but they are so difficult to photograph, especially the male, who likes to hide.<br /> <br /> The last but one time that I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but have now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking for a while. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I could see that there was no line-up at all and I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby, named Gobi - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.<br /> <br /> “This colourful bird is commonly called the Impeyan after Lady Impey, wife of the British chief justice of Calcutta, who first kept them in captivity on the grounds of their estate in the late 18th century. Lady Impey kept extensive notes about habitat and behaviour which were of great use to biologists in their work on native species.<br /> <br /> These beautiful birds have a very large range throughout Asia in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. However, in some areas they are threatened due to poaching and other human disturbances to their environment. <br /> <br /> They are to be found primarily in mountainous regions; in summer, they are found in rocky, grass-covered meadows and winter in coniferous and mixed forests.<br /> <br /> Their diet includes seeds, tubers, shoots, berries, terrestrial insects and their larvae. They dig extensively with their bill, up to 25 cm deep, creating distinctive dug-over areas in their territory. They forage throughout the day.” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal</a></div> Himalayan Monal female <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47138736"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/87/36/47138736.1f4f5757.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wish I could say that I saw this incredible bird out in the wild, but, I can't : ) I have seen them a couple of times before, but they are so difficult to photograph, especially the male, who likes to hide.<br /> <br /> The last but one time that I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but have now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking for a while. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I could see that there was no line-up at all and I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby, named Gobi - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.<br /> <br /> “This colourful bird is commonly called the Impeyan after Lady Impey, wife of the British chief justice of Calcutta, who first kept them in captivity on the grounds of their estate in the late 18th century. Lady Impey kept extensive notes about habitat and behaviour which were of great use to biologists in their work on native species.<br /> <br /> These beautiful birds have a very large range throughout Asia in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. However, in some areas they are threatened due to poaching and other human disturbances to their environment. <br /> <br /> They are to be found primarily in mountainous regions; in summer, they are found in rocky, grass-covered meadows and winter in coniferous and mixed forests.<br /> <br /> Their diet includes seeds, tubers, shoots, berries, terrestrial insects and their larvae. They dig extensively with their bill, up to 25 cm deep, creating distinctive dug-over areas in their territory. They forage throughout the day.” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47057856 tag:ipernity.com,2018-07-23,doc-47057856 Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:23:09 +0000 2018-06-26T16:31:26-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47057856"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/56/47057856.e879d8f0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wish I could say that I saw this incredible bird out in the wild, but, I can't : ) I have seen them a couple of times before, but they are so difficult to photograph, especially the male, who likes to hide.<br /> <br /> The last but one time that I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but have now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking for a while. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I could see that there was no line-up at all and I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby, named Gobi - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.<br /> <br /> “This colourful bird is commonly called the Impeyan after Lady Impey, wife of the British chief justice of Calcutta, who first kept them in captivity on the grounds of their estate in the late 18th century. Lady Impey kept extensive notes about habitat and behaviour which were of great use to biologists in their work on native species.<br /> <br /> These beautiful birds have a very large range throughout Asia in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. However, in some areas they are threatened due to poaching and other human disturbances to their environment. <br /> <br /> They are to be found primarily in mountainous regions; in summer, they are found in rocky, grass-covered meadows and winter in coniferous and mixed forests.<br /> <br /> Their diet includes seeds, tubers, shoots, berries, terrestrial insects and their larvae. They dig extensively with their bill, up to 25 cm deep, creating distinctive dug-over areas in their territory. They forage throughout the day.” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal</a></div> Himalayan monal / Lophophorus impejanus male <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47057856"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/56/47057856.e879d8f0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wish I could say that I saw this incredible bird out in the wild, but, I can't : ) I have seen them a couple of times before, but they are so difficult to photograph, especially the male, who likes to hide.<br /> <br /> The last but one time that I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but have now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking for a while. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I could see that there was no line-up at all and I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby, named Gobi - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.<br /> <br /> “This colourful bird is commonly called the Impeyan after Lady Impey, wife of the British chief justice of Calcutta, who first kept them in captivity on the grounds of their estate in the late 18th century. Lady Impey kept extensive notes about habitat and behaviour which were of great use to biologists in their work on native species.<br /> <br /> These beautiful birds have a very large range throughout Asia in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. However, in some areas they are threatened due to poaching and other human disturbances to their environment. <br /> <br /> They are to be found primarily in mountainous regions; in summer, they are found in rocky, grass-covered meadows and winter in coniferous and mixed forests.<br /> <br /> Their diet includes seeds, tubers, shoots, berries, terrestrial insects and their larvae. They dig extensively with their bill, up to 25 cm deep, creating distinctive dug-over areas in their territory. They forage throughout the day.” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_monal</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46948822 tag:ipernity.com,2018-07-04,doc-46948822 Wed, 04 Jul 2018 15:41:38 +0000 2018-06-26T15:15:11-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46948822"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/88/22/46948822.b0555ca5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Independence Day, 4th July! Thinking of our neighbours to the south and Americans around the world on this special day. A special thought to all those who serve to protect the American people.<br /> <br /> "Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> "At one time the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur, leading to its extermination in some areas. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes. Today, the greatest threat to its continued existence comes from loss of habitat as forests are cut down." From <a href="http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey</a>. <br /> <br /> The last time I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but has now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.</div> Colobus monkey - such a poser <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46948822"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/88/22/46948822.b0555ca5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Independence Day, 4th July! Thinking of our neighbours to the south and Americans around the world on this special day. A special thought to all those who serve to protect the American people.<br /> <br /> "Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> "At one time the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur, leading to its extermination in some areas. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes. Today, the greatest threat to its continued existence comes from loss of habitat as forests are cut down." From <a href="http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/colobusmonkey</a>. <br /> <br /> The last time I visited the Calgary Zoo was on 6 October 2015. I used to go fairly often, but my usual parking lot and Zoo entrance then closed for the winter. Since then, road construction and bridge replacement have been going on, but has now been completed. The drive to the north entrance of the Zoo is definitely out of my driving comfort zone, so I had been waiting for this day for a long time. June 26th 2018 was THE day - for me and for half the people in the city!! It was packed! I had decided to go before schools close for the summer. However, I suspect some schools had end-of-term Zoo visits on this day. Also, when I checked the weather forecast, rain was in the forecast for the next six days, so I knew i needed to go straight away. <br /> <br /> My visit only covered about half the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. My daughter had taken a photo of a gigantic lily pad, Victoria Water Lily / Victoria amazonica, and I really wanted to see it. There were three or four of these in a tiny pool. I love the pattern on the underside of the upturned edge of each lily pad, I didn't see a huge variety of butterfly species that day, but there were enough to keep me happily clicking. They vary from day to day, as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalises..<br /> <br /> My intention had not been to visit the newly arrived Panda family, as I was sure there would be an extremely long line-up. However, I was able to just walk in, which was great. How lucky we are to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. I'm not sure how many hours a day these animals sleep, but two of the three that could be seen slept for part of the time I was there. Had to smile at the very uncomfortable positions in which they slept. Part of the enclosure has glass, which made it almost impossible to get photos without the reflections of the crowds of people. <br /> <br /> The Bactrian Camel had recently given birth to a baby - such a cute little thing. No sign of the Red Pandas when I passed their enclosure. One of the birds I love to see - though these birds tend to hide! - is the amazing Himalayan Monal. The male, especially, takes my breath away each time I see it.<br /> <br /> A few hours well spent happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be almost three years before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46257678 tag:ipernity.com,2018-02-15,doc-46257678 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:59:04 +0000 2011-09-30T15:48:54-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46257678"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/78/46257678.57a3c06a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">One of the little Meerkats photographed at the Calgary Zoo on 30 September 2011. I'm taking so few new photos at the moment, so I'm having to dig deep into my archives. <br /> <br /> "The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat</a></div> Meerkat from the archives <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46257678"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/78/46257678.57a3c06a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">One of the little Meerkats photographed at the Calgary Zoo on 30 September 2011. I'm taking so few new photos at the moment, so I'm having to dig deep into my archives. <br /> <br /> "The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44393712 tag:ipernity.com,2017-03-02,doc-44393712 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:18:06 +0000 2014-09-28T14:01:54-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44393712"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/12/44393712.aa67bd2d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in to see the Meerkats. As well as this one, which was standing on guard to protect all the rest, there were several young Meerkats playing in their small enclosure, They were almost constantly on the move, providing entertainment for their human audience. <br /> <br /> "The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat</a></div> Meerkat deep in thought <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44393712"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/12/44393712.aa67bd2d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in to see the Meerkats. As well as this one, which was standing on guard to protect all the rest, there were several young Meerkats playing in their small enclosure, They were almost constantly on the move, providing entertainment for their human audience. <br /> <br /> "The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331952 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-18,doc-44331952 Sat, 18 Feb 2017 17:49:37 +0000 2014-09-28T12:25:58-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331952"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/52/44331952.d295bd73.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. I am longing for a day out with tons of things to see and photograph : ) I'm quite sure there are many other people who are feeling just the same way! <br /> <br /> This photo was taken through dirty glass at the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014. My last visit to the Zoo was about a year and a half ago, but hopefully these impressive animals are still there.<br /> <br /> "The world’s largest monkey, mandrills in the wild are found in the rainforests of equatorial Africa in countries such as Guinea, Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for the vivid red, blue and yellow markings on the muzzle and rump, mandrills also have long canine teeth that make a memorable impression. The monkeys are largely ground-dwelling omnivores that forage on grubs, eggs, fruit, leaves and reptiles, but they will climb trees for fun or for a safe place to sleep. Mature males can weigh up to 50 kg. and live up to about 25 years of age. Their colours also get brighter as they mature.<br /> <br /> Males can appear aggressive when they flash their canines at one another, but that is really a sign of friendly communication common in their complex social hierarchies, said Celli. In fact, despite their striking looks, mandrills tend to be quite shy. Because the group at the zoo is all male, you won’t see any displays of bravado that signal mating behaviour, but you will see the younger males following the lead of their dominant oldest brother, Yusufu. Zoo curator, Dr. Malu Celli, said the adolescent younger brothers will copy his mannerisms and even his walk.<br /> <br /> The trio were born in captivity in the Granby Zoo in Granby, Q.C. and were part of a family group there that had too many males. Celli said it is not unusual to find bachelor groups of mandrills in the wild, or males that hang out on the peripheries of a “super group.” From an article in the Calgary Herald on 16 May 2014.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colourful+trio+mandrill+monkeys+video/9847976/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colour...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill</a></div> Mandrill <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331952"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/52/44331952.d295bd73.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. I am longing for a day out with tons of things to see and photograph : ) I'm quite sure there are many other people who are feeling just the same way! <br /> <br /> This photo was taken through dirty glass at the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014. My last visit to the Zoo was about a year and a half ago, but hopefully these impressive animals are still there.<br /> <br /> "The world’s largest monkey, mandrills in the wild are found in the rainforests of equatorial Africa in countries such as Guinea, Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for the vivid red, blue and yellow markings on the muzzle and rump, mandrills also have long canine teeth that make a memorable impression. The monkeys are largely ground-dwelling omnivores that forage on grubs, eggs, fruit, leaves and reptiles, but they will climb trees for fun or for a safe place to sleep. Mature males can weigh up to 50 kg. and live up to about 25 years of age. Their colours also get brighter as they mature.<br /> <br /> Males can appear aggressive when they flash their canines at one another, but that is really a sign of friendly communication common in their complex social hierarchies, said Celli. In fact, despite their striking looks, mandrills tend to be quite shy. Because the group at the zoo is all male, you won’t see any displays of bravado that signal mating behaviour, but you will see the younger males following the lead of their dominant oldest brother, Yusufu. Zoo curator, Dr. Malu Celli, said the adolescent younger brothers will copy his mannerisms and even his walk.<br /> <br /> The trio were born in captivity in the Granby Zoo in Granby, Q.C. and were part of a family group there that had too many males. Celli said it is not unusual to find bachelor groups of mandrills in the wild, or males that hang out on the peripheries of a “super group.” From an article in the Calgary Herald on 16 May 2014.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colourful+trio+mandrill+monkeys+video/9847976/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colour...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331836 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-17,doc-44331836 Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:31:36 +0000 2014-09-28T12:10:00-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331836"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/36/44331836.4a1706fe.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. I am longing for a day out with tons of things to see and photograph : )<br /> <br /> When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in at the Penguin Plunge and found this Humboldt Penguin having a swim outside. This species is named after the cold water current it swims in, which is itself named after Alexander von Humboldt, an explorer. <br /> <br /> "The status of this species is IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Current Impacts on their numbers are El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, predators, tourism, competition with fisheries, habitat change. Humboldt penguins groom their feathers before breakfast. They rub oil from a gland at the base of the tail into their feathers and the edges of their wings. Humboldts also groom each other. This species digs nesting burrows in thick deposits of seabird guano (droppings)."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/suns-prod-images/file/1297237247336_Calgary_Zoo_Penguins.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">storage.canoe.ca/v1/suns-prod-images/file/1297237247336_C...</a></div> Humboldt Penguin / Spheniscus humboldti <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44331836"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/36/44331836.4a1706fe.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. I am longing for a day out with tons of things to see and photograph : )<br /> <br /> When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in at the Penguin Plunge and found this Humboldt Penguin having a swim outside. This species is named after the cold water current it swims in, which is itself named after Alexander von Humboldt, an explorer. <br /> <br /> "The status of this species is IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Current Impacts on their numbers are El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, predators, tourism, competition with fisheries, habitat change. Humboldt penguins groom their feathers before breakfast. They rub oil from a gland at the base of the tail into their feathers and the edges of their wings. Humboldts also groom each other. This species digs nesting burrows in thick deposits of seabird guano (droppings)."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/suns-prod-images/file/1297237247336_Calgary_Zoo_Penguins.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">storage.canoe.ca/v1/suns-prod-images/file/1297237247336_C...</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325500 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-15,doc-44325500 Wed, 15 Feb 2017 17:13:38 +0000 2014-09-28T15:54:28-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325500"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/55/00/44325500.347b960b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. Now, there are very urgent things that need to be done, and I must put them first. <br /> <br /> When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in to see the Mountain Goats in their large, open enclosure ('mountain scene'). I've only seen these impressive animals in the wild a handful of times, and only from a great distance. <br /> <br /> "The Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), also known as the Rocky Mountain Goat, is a large hoofed mammal found only in North America. Despite its name, it is not a true goat, as it belongs to a different genus. It resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, often resting on rocky cliffs that predators cannot reach.<br /> <br /> Both male and female mountain goats have beards, short tails, and long black horns, 15-28 cm in length, which contain yearly growth rings. They are protected from the elements by their woolly white double coats. The fine, dense wool of their undercoats is covered by an outer layer of longer, hollow hairs. In warmer seasons, mountain goats molt by rubbing against rocks and trees, with the adult billies (males) shedding their extra wool first and the pregnant nannies (females) shedding last. In the winter, their coats help them to withstand temperatures as low as -50 Fahrenheit (-46 Celsius) and winds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h).<br /> <br /> A billy stands about 1 meter (3'3") at the shoulder and weighs about 90 kg (200 lb.). It has longer horns and a longer beard than the nanny. Adult males typically weigh between 45 and 100 kg, while females are usually 10-30% lighter.<br /> <br /> The mountain goat's feet are well-suited for climbing steep, rocky slopes, sometimes with pitches of 60 degrees or more, with inner pads that provide traction and cloven hooves that can spread apart as needed. Dewclaws on the back of their feet also help to keep them from slipping."</div> Mountain Goat <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325500"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/55/00/44325500.347b960b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. Now, there are very urgent things that need to be done, and I must put them first. <br /> <br /> When I visited the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2014, I called in to see the Mountain Goats in their large, open enclosure ('mountain scene'). I've only seen these impressive animals in the wild a handful of times, and only from a great distance. <br /> <br /> "The Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), also known as the Rocky Mountain Goat, is a large hoofed mammal found only in North America. Despite its name, it is not a true goat, as it belongs to a different genus. It resides at high elevations and is a sure-footed climber, often resting on rocky cliffs that predators cannot reach.<br /> <br /> Both male and female mountain goats have beards, short tails, and long black horns, 15-28 cm in length, which contain yearly growth rings. They are protected from the elements by their woolly white double coats. The fine, dense wool of their undercoats is covered by an outer layer of longer, hollow hairs. In warmer seasons, mountain goats molt by rubbing against rocks and trees, with the adult billies (males) shedding their extra wool first and the pregnant nannies (females) shedding last. In the winter, their coats help them to withstand temperatures as low as -50 Fahrenheit (-46 Celsius) and winds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h).<br /> <br /> A billy stands about 1 meter (3'3") at the shoulder and weighs about 90 kg (200 lb.). It has longer horns and a longer beard than the nanny. Adult males typically weigh between 45 and 100 kg, while females are usually 10-30% lighter.<br /> <br /> The mountain goat's feet are well-suited for climbing steep, rocky slopes, sometimes with pitches of 60 degrees or more, with inner pads that provide traction and cloven hooves that can spread apart as needed. Dewclaws on the back of their feet also help to keep them from slipping."</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325494 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-15,doc-44325494 Wed, 15 Feb 2017 17:13:38 +0000 2014-09-28T13:49:30-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325494"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/94/44325494.0d5e8435.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. Now, there are very urgent things that need to be done, and I must put them first. <br /> <br /> The Calgary Zoo has a male and a female Mongoose Lemur, though I don't know if they are actually a "pair". They are to be found in the Transalta Rainforest building. Usually when I see them, they are up in their tree, curled up into a tight ball of fur, but when I spent a few hours at the Zoo on 28 September 2014, this one did occasionally open its amazing eyes. The lighting is far from ideal in this large exhibit, and usually my photos tend to come out a little blurry, though this time, I did a little better. These animals are not in a cage, but in a large "room" that has a pond and is shared with a variety of tropical birds, big and small, all flying freely. Warning - they may be cute but they do bite! Their status is Critically Endangered"<br /> <br /> "The Mongoose Lemur (Eulemur mongoz) is a lemur ranging from 12 to 18 inches long plus a tail of 16 to 25 inches. The Mongoose Lemur lives in Madagascar dry deciduous forests within Madagascar as well as in Comoros forests on the islands of Comoros. The Mongoose Lemur mostly eats fruit, though flowers, leaves and nectar also make up part of its diet. It is unusual in that depending on the season it is either diurnal or nocturnal.<br /> <br /> The Mongoose Lemur is arboreal and lives in small family groups, usually consisting of a bonded pair and 1 to 4 children. These groups rarely encounter one another, but when they do, they are aggressive." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> "Mongoose lemurs have soft grey-brown fur with a pale grey muzzle and black nose. The males have reddish-brown cheeks and may have a bald patch on top of their heads, caused by rubbing when scent-marking their territories. Females by contrast, have whitish cheeks." From <a href="http://www.bristolzoo.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bristolzoo.org</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose_lemur" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose_lemur</a></div> Mongoose Lemur <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325494"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/94/44325494.0d5e8435.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I have been taking so few photos recently, so am now having to dig into my archives most of the time. The few times I have been out, I have either seen nothing or nothing that I can photograph. Now, there are very urgent things that need to be done, and I must put them first. <br /> <br /> The Calgary Zoo has a male and a female Mongoose Lemur, though I don't know if they are actually a "pair". They are to be found in the Transalta Rainforest building. Usually when I see them, they are up in their tree, curled up into a tight ball of fur, but when I spent a few hours at the Zoo on 28 September 2014, this one did occasionally open its amazing eyes. The lighting is far from ideal in this large exhibit, and usually my photos tend to come out a little blurry, though this time, I did a little better. These animals are not in a cage, but in a large "room" that has a pond and is shared with a variety of tropical birds, big and small, all flying freely. Warning - they may be cute but they do bite! Their status is Critically Endangered"<br /> <br /> "The Mongoose Lemur (Eulemur mongoz) is a lemur ranging from 12 to 18 inches long plus a tail of 16 to 25 inches. The Mongoose Lemur lives in Madagascar dry deciduous forests within Madagascar as well as in Comoros forests on the islands of Comoros. The Mongoose Lemur mostly eats fruit, though flowers, leaves and nectar also make up part of its diet. It is unusual in that depending on the season it is either diurnal or nocturnal.<br /> <br /> The Mongoose Lemur is arboreal and lives in small family groups, usually consisting of a bonded pair and 1 to 4 children. These groups rarely encounter one another, but when they do, they are aggressive." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> "Mongoose lemurs have soft grey-brown fur with a pale grey muzzle and black nose. The males have reddish-brown cheeks and may have a bald patch on top of their heads, caused by rubbing when scent-marking their territories. Females by contrast, have whitish cheeks." From <a href="http://www.bristolzoo.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bristolzoo.org</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose_lemur" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose_lemur</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325492 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-14,doc-44325492 Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:18:14 +0000 2014-09-28T13:08:11-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325492"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/92/44325492.8e55d270.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, everyone!<br /> <br /> It has been about a year and a half since I last went to the Calgary Zoo. The parking lot that I always parked in has been closed since then, because of road construction and the replacement of a bridge over the Bow River. I don't think it will all be finished till late this year and, by then, 'my" parking lot will close all winter. Hopefully, I'll once again be able to visit sometime in 2018.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken when I finally got to the Calgary Zoo, on 28 September 2014. I hadn't been since before the Alberta Flood of the Century in June 2013, which devastated the Zoo and made it necessary to close the Zoo for many months. Several of these small, colourful birds had made nests that were hanging from the leaves of a tropical plant in the Tropical building. Each bird looked like it just couldn't stop weaving, as it carefully, but quickly, chose long, narrow strands of leaf and wove the ends of other leaves together in such a meticulous way. <br /> <br /> "The Taveta weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The name of the bird comes from the unique markings/coloration of the bird, as well as how these birds weave intricate nests.<br /> <br /> The male Taveta weaver is a vibrant golden yellow color; this color is duller on its back. The wings and tail are a greener color, whereas brown spots are located on the chest. The back of the head is red, and the bill, or beak, is black. The female is an olive color with paler streaks. In general, the Taveta weaver is a small bird, around the size of the finch and closely related to the sparrow.<br /> <br /> These birds live in large groups, or colonies. Weavers often make a unique—often described as "weird"—noise to communicate. Male weavers build extravagant oval nests over water attached to stems of reeds or grasses. The Taveta weavers lay two or three glossy, dark, olive-green eggs. The female bird chooses who she will mate, depending on how impressed she is with a male's skill to construct a nest." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taveta_weaver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taveta_weaver</a></div> Taveta Golden Weaver <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44325492"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/92/44325492.8e55d270.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, everyone!<br /> <br /> It has been about a year and a half since I last went to the Calgary Zoo. The parking lot that I always parked in has been closed since then, because of road construction and the replacement of a bridge over the Bow River. I don't think it will all be finished till late this year and, by then, 'my" parking lot will close all winter. Hopefully, I'll once again be able to visit sometime in 2018.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken when I finally got to the Calgary Zoo, on 28 September 2014. I hadn't been since before the Alberta Flood of the Century in June 2013, which devastated the Zoo and made it necessary to close the Zoo for many months. Several of these small, colourful birds had made nests that were hanging from the leaves of a tropical plant in the Tropical building. Each bird looked like it just couldn't stop weaving, as it carefully, but quickly, chose long, narrow strands of leaf and wove the ends of other leaves together in such a meticulous way. <br /> <br /> "The Taveta weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The name of the bird comes from the unique markings/coloration of the bird, as well as how these birds weave intricate nests.<br /> <br /> The male Taveta weaver is a vibrant golden yellow color; this color is duller on its back. The wings and tail are a greener color, whereas brown spots are located on the chest. The back of the head is red, and the bill, or beak, is black. The female is an olive color with paler streaks. In general, the Taveta weaver is a small bird, around the size of the finch and closely related to the sparrow.<br /> <br /> These birds live in large groups, or colonies. Weavers often make a unique—often described as "weird"—noise to communicate. Male weavers build extravagant oval nests over water attached to stems of reeds or grasses. The Taveta weavers lay two or three glossy, dark, olive-green eggs. The female bird chooses who she will mate, depending on how impressed she is with a male's skill to construct a nest." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taveta_weaver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taveta_weaver</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42440446 tag:ipernity.com,2016-07-07,doc-42440446 Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:47:05 +0000 2015-10-06T15:16:49-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42440446"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/04/46/42440446.640b893d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This bird, along with various other species, are free to roam in part of the Tropical building at the Calgary Zoo. While we do not get these birds in the wild, if one is lucky, one can see a White-faced Ibis on various slough locations outside Calgary, such as Frank Lake, SE of the city. Both species have such gorgeous, iridescent feathers. This photo was taken on 6 October 2015.<br /> <br /> “The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus) is a large bird found in open grassland or semi-desert in the mountains of southern Africa. This large, glossy, blue-black ibis has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long, decurved red bill. It breeds colonially on and amongst rocks and on cliffs, laying two or three eggs which are incubated for 21 days before hatching. It feeds on insects, small reptiles, rodents and small birds.<br /> <br /> The ibises are gregarious long-legged wading birds with long down-curved bills; they form one subfamily of the Threskiornithidae, the other subfamily being the spoonbills. The two Geronticus species differ from other ibises in that they have unfeathered faces and heads, breed on cliffs rather than in trees, and prefer arid habitats to the wetlands used by their relatives.” From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bald_ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bald_ibis</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.arkive.org/southern-bald-ibis/geronticus-calvus/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.arkive.org/southern-bald-ibis/geronticus-calvus/</a></div> Southern Bald Ibis / Geronticus calvus <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42440446"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/04/46/42440446.640b893d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This bird, along with various other species, are free to roam in part of the Tropical building at the Calgary Zoo. While we do not get these birds in the wild, if one is lucky, one can see a White-faced Ibis on various slough locations outside Calgary, such as Frank Lake, SE of the city. Both species have such gorgeous, iridescent feathers. This photo was taken on 6 October 2015.<br /> <br /> “The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus) is a large bird found in open grassland or semi-desert in the mountains of southern Africa. This large, glossy, blue-black ibis has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long, decurved red bill. It breeds colonially on and amongst rocks and on cliffs, laying two or three eggs which are incubated for 21 days before hatching. It feeds on insects, small reptiles, rodents and small birds.<br /> <br /> The ibises are gregarious long-legged wading birds with long down-curved bills; they form one subfamily of the Threskiornithidae, the other subfamily being the spoonbills. The two Geronticus species differ from other ibises in that they have unfeathered faces and heads, breed on cliffs rather than in trees, and prefer arid habitats to the wetlands used by their relatives.” From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bald_ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bald_ibis</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.arkive.org/southern-bald-ibis/geronticus-calvus/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.arkive.org/southern-bald-ibis/geronticus-calvus/</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41590754 tag:ipernity.com,2016-04-13,doc-41590754 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:10:14 +0000 2015-10-06T14:57:38-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41590754"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/54/41590754.9f63f0e0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 6 October 2015 at the Calgary Zoo. I always find it difficult to get decent photos in this building - it's so hot and humid, with poor light and a camera lens that steams up. I'm not sure, but I think this was the first time I had seen this kind of Ibis at the Zoo.<br /> <br /> “Hadada ibises have a wide range across sub-Saharan Africa, south to South Africa. They are Africa's most common and least aquatic ibis. Hadadas live in open grasslands, savannahs and rain forests, especially along wooded streams, marshes and river courses. They are also common around small towns and villages, in pastures and cultivated land and in timbered areas and are occasionally seen in the glades of deep forests. They are carnivores.<br /> <br /> In the early 1900s, Hadada Ibis underwent a marked decline in South Africa due to hunting during a period of colonial expansion. Since 1910, it has been expanding toward western Africa, probably as a result of reduced human persecution following legal protection; proliferation of imported tree species, providing new sites for resting and nesting in formerly treeless areas; construction of reservoirs; increase in irrigated land; and arrival of cattle in zones recently colonized by mans, as cow dung favors expansion of coprophagous insects, frequent prey of the species.<br /> <br /> The bird's name comes from its raucous call of "ha-ha-a-a-a-a," usually uttered on the wing. Hadadas typically call around dusk or sunrise, when returning to the roost or leaving it. One bird starts, followed by others. In large roosts, several groups may call simultaneously.” From the Oregon Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/hadada-ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/hadada-ibis</a><br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadada_ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadada_ibis</a></div> Hadada Ibis / Bostrychia hagedash <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41590754"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/54/41590754.9f63f0e0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 6 October 2015 at the Calgary Zoo. I always find it difficult to get decent photos in this building - it's so hot and humid, with poor light and a camera lens that steams up. I'm not sure, but I think this was the first time I had seen this kind of Ibis at the Zoo.<br /> <br /> “Hadada ibises have a wide range across sub-Saharan Africa, south to South Africa. They are Africa's most common and least aquatic ibis. Hadadas live in open grasslands, savannahs and rain forests, especially along wooded streams, marshes and river courses. They are also common around small towns and villages, in pastures and cultivated land and in timbered areas and are occasionally seen in the glades of deep forests. They are carnivores.<br /> <br /> In the early 1900s, Hadada Ibis underwent a marked decline in South Africa due to hunting during a period of colonial expansion. Since 1910, it has been expanding toward western Africa, probably as a result of reduced human persecution following legal protection; proliferation of imported tree species, providing new sites for resting and nesting in formerly treeless areas; construction of reservoirs; increase in irrigated land; and arrival of cattle in zones recently colonized by mans, as cow dung favors expansion of coprophagous insects, frequent prey of the species.<br /> <br /> The bird's name comes from its raucous call of "ha-ha-a-a-a-a," usually uttered on the wing. Hadadas typically call around dusk or sunrise, when returning to the roost or leaving it. One bird starts, followed by others. In large roosts, several groups may call simultaneously.” From the Oregon Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/hadada-ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/hadada-ibis</a><br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadada_ibis" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadada_ibis</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41577914 tag:ipernity.com,2016-04-12,doc-41577914 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 15:15:56 +0000 2015-10-06T14:41:11-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41577914"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/14/41577914.52509d1d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken at the Calgary Zoo on 6 October 2015. The west entrance to the Zoo has been closed (for the winter) since 13 October, and I did want to get in one last visit. Now it will continue to be closed because the old, narrow bridge over the Bow River, which I would normally drive over, is being replaced. I don't like the drive home on Deerfoot Trail from the north entrance, so normally tend not to go to the Zoo all winter. Now I would have to do this till the bridge is completed next year (2017). "Calgary's infamous freeway has taken the dubious top spot when it comes to this city's most dangerous place to drive." From the Calgary Sun.<br /> <br /> The forecast for 6 October was for sun with some cloud, but it turned out to be overcast the whole afternoon and most of my photos, especially those taken indoors, came out blurry : ( I was amazed that this and several others taken of this amazing Mandrill came out OK, including because of the dirty glass and everyone's reflection making it a challenge. This guy was walking around his enclosure the whole time, except when he paused on a log for a few seconds a couple of times, to give a nice pose. A black squirrel added a a bit of interest for him, too, and he liked to give chase. The previous time I was at the Zoo, I saw this black squirrel in there. The glass of the enclosure is extremely high, so I don't know how it got in or out. <br /> <br /> "The world’s largest monkey, mandrills in the wild are found in the rainforests of equatorial Africa in countries such as Guinea, Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for the vivid red, blue and yellow markings on the muzzle and rump, mandrills also have long canine teeth that make a memorable impression. The monkeys are largely ground-dwelling omnivores that forage on grubs, eggs, fruit, leaves and reptiles, but they will climb trees for fun or for a safe place to sleep. Mature males can weigh up to 50 kg. and live up to about 25 years of age. Their colours also get brighter as they mature.<br /> <br /> Males can appear aggressive when they flash their canines at one another, but that is really a sign of friendly communication common in their complex social hierarchies, said Celli. In fact, despite their striking looks, mandrills tend to be quite shy. Because the group at the zoo is all male, you won’t see any displays of bravado that signal mating behaviour, but you will see the younger males following the lead of their dominant oldest brother, Yusufu. Zoo curator, Dr. Malu Celli, said the adolescent younger brothers will copy his mannerisms and even his walk.<br /> <br /> The trio were born in captivity in the Granby Zoo in Granby, Q.C. (Quebec) and were part of a family group there that had too many males. Celli said it is not unusual to find bachelor groups of mandrills in the wild, or males that hang out on the peripheries of a “super group.” From an article in the Calgary Herald on 16 May 2014.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colourful+trio+mandrill+monkeys+video/9847976/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colour...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill</a></div> Strange but beautiful <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41577914"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/79/14/41577914.52509d1d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken at the Calgary Zoo on 6 October 2015. The west entrance to the Zoo has been closed (for the winter) since 13 October, and I did want to get in one last visit. Now it will continue to be closed because the old, narrow bridge over the Bow River, which I would normally drive over, is being replaced. I don't like the drive home on Deerfoot Trail from the north entrance, so normally tend not to go to the Zoo all winter. Now I would have to do this till the bridge is completed next year (2017). "Calgary's infamous freeway has taken the dubious top spot when it comes to this city's most dangerous place to drive." From the Calgary Sun.<br /> <br /> The forecast for 6 October was for sun with some cloud, but it turned out to be overcast the whole afternoon and most of my photos, especially those taken indoors, came out blurry : ( I was amazed that this and several others taken of this amazing Mandrill came out OK, including because of the dirty glass and everyone's reflection making it a challenge. This guy was walking around his enclosure the whole time, except when he paused on a log for a few seconds a couple of times, to give a nice pose. A black squirrel added a a bit of interest for him, too, and he liked to give chase. The previous time I was at the Zoo, I saw this black squirrel in there. The glass of the enclosure is extremely high, so I don't know how it got in or out. <br /> <br /> "The world’s largest monkey, mandrills in the wild are found in the rainforests of equatorial Africa in countries such as Guinea, Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for the vivid red, blue and yellow markings on the muzzle and rump, mandrills also have long canine teeth that make a memorable impression. The monkeys are largely ground-dwelling omnivores that forage on grubs, eggs, fruit, leaves and reptiles, but they will climb trees for fun or for a safe place to sleep. Mature males can weigh up to 50 kg. and live up to about 25 years of age. Their colours also get brighter as they mature.<br /> <br /> Males can appear aggressive when they flash their canines at one another, but that is really a sign of friendly communication common in their complex social hierarchies, said Celli. In fact, despite their striking looks, mandrills tend to be quite shy. Because the group at the zoo is all male, you won’t see any displays of bravado that signal mating behaviour, but you will see the younger males following the lead of their dominant oldest brother, Yusufu. Zoo curator, Dr. Malu Celli, said the adolescent younger brothers will copy his mannerisms and even his walk.<br /> <br /> The trio were born in captivity in the Granby Zoo in Granby, Q.C. (Quebec) and were part of a family group there that had too many males. Celli said it is not unusual to find bachelor groups of mandrills in the wild, or males that hang out on the peripheries of a “super group.” From an article in the Calgary Herald on 16 May 2014.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colourful+trio+mandrill+monkeys+video/9847976/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/things+know+about+colour...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrill</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40614050 tag:ipernity.com,2015-12-16,doc-40614050 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 16:07:15 +0000 2011-05-02T16:08:49-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40614050"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/40/50/40614050.67a76a00.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Last night, when choosing three photos to post this morning, I happened to come across this old shot from my archives. It was taken at the Calgary Zoo on 2 May 2011, when a pair of Snowy Owls was in a small enclosure near the Tigers. SInce then, the only Snowies at the Zoo are over in the Aviary. It has been too long to remember for sure, but I think this was most likely the female rather than a juvenile bird.<br /> <br /> With so many people now going outside the city to look for, and photograph, these amazing birds of prey that have moved south in search of food, I thought this photo might be a good reminder of yet another reason to keep ones distance, lol. Those talons mean business! I sometimes think I must be the only person who isn't out to get photos of these owls in flight! Please don't deliberately flush them - they are already tired and stressed enough. Of course, they sometimes fly simply because they want to, in their search for yet another rodent. <br /> <br /> Actually, I was lucky enough to see two very, very distant Snowy Owls yesterday, when I went with a group of 7 friends to take part in the first annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count of the season. This is one of my favourite counts, mainly because our small group covers one of my favourite areas, SE of the city.</div> Beware! <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40614050"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/40/50/40614050.67a76a00.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Last night, when choosing three photos to post this morning, I happened to come across this old shot from my archives. It was taken at the Calgary Zoo on 2 May 2011, when a pair of Snowy Owls was in a small enclosure near the Tigers. SInce then, the only Snowies at the Zoo are over in the Aviary. It has been too long to remember for sure, but I think this was most likely the female rather than a juvenile bird.<br /> <br /> With so many people now going outside the city to look for, and photograph, these amazing birds of prey that have moved south in search of food, I thought this photo might be a good reminder of yet another reason to keep ones distance, lol. Those talons mean business! I sometimes think I must be the only person who isn't out to get photos of these owls in flight! Please don't deliberately flush them - they are already tired and stressed enough. Of course, they sometimes fly simply because they want to, in their search for yet another rodent. <br /> <br /> Actually, I was lucky enough to see two very, very distant Snowy Owls yesterday, when I went with a group of 7 friends to take part in the first annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count of the season. This is one of my favourite counts, mainly because our small group covers one of my favourite areas, SE of the city.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40555320 tag:ipernity.com,2015-12-08,doc-40555320 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:06:30 +0000 2015-09-21T13:51:11-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40555320"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/20/40555320.146aab6d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful tropical flower in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 21 September 2015. I wasn't sure if it was Brugmansia or the closely related Datura, but several people gave the ID as Datura. After reading the following from Wikipedia, I think this has to be Datura. I photographed one of the fruits from this plant and it did have softly rounded spines on it. All species of Datura are POISONOUS, especially their seeds and flowers.<br /> <br /> "Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura</a><br /> <br /> "Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit. All seven species are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia</a></div> Datura <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40555320"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/53/20/40555320.146aab6d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful tropical flower in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 21 September 2015. I wasn't sure if it was Brugmansia or the closely related Datura, but several people gave the ID as Datura. After reading the following from Wikipedia, I think this has to be Datura. I photographed one of the fruits from this plant and it did have softly rounded spines on it. All species of Datura are POISONOUS, especially their seeds and flowers.<br /> <br /> "Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura</a><br /> <br /> "Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit. All seven species are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343800 tag:ipernity.com,2015-11-12,doc-40343800 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:31:51 +0000 2015-09-21T14:36:10-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343800"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/00/40343800.761cb97b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">So sweet ..... "Smart, gentle and peaceful" are the words used by the Calgary Zoo below, and I think these three words describe well the animal in this photo. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 21 September 2015.<br /> <br /> The IUCN status of Lowland Gorillas is "Critically Endangered".<br /> <br /> "There’s always something fun going on in the Calgary Zoo’s gorilla exhibit. Smart, gentle and peaceful, our gorillas form part of a close-knit family, called a troop. Kakinga, a giant male silverback gorilla, leads the troop gently, but firmly and the youngsters’ boundless energy always guarantees a show as they play, swing, climb and forage for food.<br /> <br /> Kakinga is a valuable member of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan not only because of his amiable personality, but also because his genetics have added valuable diversity to the North American population of gorillas.<br /> <br /> Lowland Gorillas come from lowland tropical forests of Cameroon, Gabon and Congo, Africa. Western lowland gorillas live in dense and remote rainforests, preferring swampy areas with dense, leafy growth.<br /> <br /> In the wild, populations of western lowland gorillas are under siege, having dropped more than 80 percent in just three generations. These gorillas face exceptionally high levels of hunting, disease and habitat loss.<br /> <br /> Western lowland gorillas live in groups, called troops, with complex social structures. Troops are led by dominant, older adult males, called silverbacks because of the silver hair that marks the otherwise dark fur on their backs. Troops also include young males, several females and their offspring. Silverbacks are responsible for organizing their troop’s activities – eating, nesting and moving around their home range." From the Calgary Zoo website.<br /> <br /> Link to a fun video (2:09 mins) from 2011, of one of the Calgary Zoo's Gorillas "break-dancing". This Gorilla and his brother had to be moved to another Zoo, as they did not fit in with Calgary's male silverback.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/yLHmt3YFuXQ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/yLHmt3YFuXQ</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryzoo.com/animals/mammals/gorillas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryzoo.com/animals/mammals/gorillas</a></div> Wonder what she&#039;s thinking <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343800"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/00/40343800.761cb97b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">So sweet ..... "Smart, gentle and peaceful" are the words used by the Calgary Zoo below, and I think these three words describe well the animal in this photo. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 21 September 2015.<br /> <br /> The IUCN status of Lowland Gorillas is "Critically Endangered".<br /> <br /> "There’s always something fun going on in the Calgary Zoo’s gorilla exhibit. Smart, gentle and peaceful, our gorillas form part of a close-knit family, called a troop. Kakinga, a giant male silverback gorilla, leads the troop gently, but firmly and the youngsters’ boundless energy always guarantees a show as they play, swing, climb and forage for food.<br /> <br /> Kakinga is a valuable member of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan not only because of his amiable personality, but also because his genetics have added valuable diversity to the North American population of gorillas.<br /> <br /> Lowland Gorillas come from lowland tropical forests of Cameroon, Gabon and Congo, Africa. Western lowland gorillas live in dense and remote rainforests, preferring swampy areas with dense, leafy growth.<br /> <br /> In the wild, populations of western lowland gorillas are under siege, having dropped more than 80 percent in just three generations. These gorillas face exceptionally high levels of hunting, disease and habitat loss.<br /> <br /> Western lowland gorillas live in groups, called troops, with complex social structures. Troops are led by dominant, older adult males, called silverbacks because of the silver hair that marks the otherwise dark fur on their backs. Troops also include young males, several females and their offspring. Silverbacks are responsible for organizing their troop’s activities – eating, nesting and moving around their home range." From the Calgary Zoo website.<br /> <br /> Link to a fun video (2:09 mins) from 2011, of one of the Calgary Zoo's Gorillas "break-dancing". This Gorilla and his brother had to be moved to another Zoo, as they did not fit in with Calgary's male silverback.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/yLHmt3YFuXQ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/yLHmt3YFuXQ</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryzoo.com/animals/mammals/gorillas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryzoo.com/animals/mammals/gorillas</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343798 tag:ipernity.com,2015-11-12,doc-40343798 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:31:10 +0000 2015-09-21T14:10:59-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/98/40343798.568d7082.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful tropical flower in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 21 September 2015. I'm not sure if it is Brugmansia or the closely related Datura, though. After reading the following from Wikipedia, I think this has to be Datura. I photographed one of the fruits from this plant and it did have softly rounded spines on it. All species of Datura are POISONOUS, especially their seeds and flowers.<br /> <br /> "Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura</a><br /> <br /> "Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit. All seven species are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia</a></div> Brugmansia or Datura? <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40343798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/98/40343798.568d7082.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful tropical flower in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 21 September 2015. I'm not sure if it is Brugmansia or the closely related Datura, though. After reading the following from Wikipedia, I think this has to be Datura. I photographed one of the fruits from this plant and it did have softly rounded spines on it. All species of Datura are POISONOUS, especially their seeds and flowers.<br /> <br /> "Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura</a><br /> <br /> "Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit. All seven species are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40247138 tag:ipernity.com,2015-11-03,doc-40247138 Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:48:57 +0000 2015-09-29T13:36:05-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40247138"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/71/38/40247138.a9c3c807.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so disappointed that I missed seeing a Bobcat down in Fish Creek Park yesterday morning! I have longed to see one for years, but never been in luck. Oh, well, I had this photo of a Eurasian Lynx picked out for today, so will have to make do with that : ) <br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 29 September 2015, at the Calgary Zoo. That day, my alarm clock was set for 6:30 am so that I could go on a birding walk with friends. Unfortunately, I didn't read the e-mail carefully enough, so hadn't seen that the meeting place was not where I thought. Of course, no one else showed up where I was, so I took myself off to the Calgary Zoo instead. I had planned on going there after the walk, anyway. <br /> <br /> The metal bars around the enclosure make it difficult to get a decent shot. In order to get the bars blurred, I have to zoom in fully, which means not showing the tufted ears.<br /> <br /> This animal is also known as the European lynx, common lynx, the northern lynx, and the Siberian or Russian lynx. While its IUCN conservation status has been classified as "Least Concern", populations of Eurasian lynx have been reduced or extirpated from Western Europe, where it is now being reintroduced.<br /> <br /> “Earlier this year (2014), the Calgary Zoo welcomed two new Eurasian lynx - a one year old brother and sister pair named Kazan and Anastasia, respectively. They arrived from Elmvale Zoo, Ontario, in December 2013 and were debuted on April 11th, 2014. The Eurasian lynx is the largest and tallest lynx species in the world (there are four), and their size allows them to hunt larger mammals, often feasting on deer. Due to habitat loss they no longer can be found in central Europe, but they reside in Siberian forests, Central Asia and East Asia, where their natural predators are wolves and occasionally wolverines.<br /> <br /> Like most cats, Eurasian lynx tend to be nocturnal. They are a lot larger than Canadian lynx- and where Canadian lynx are silvery coloured, Eurasian lynx come in a variety of colours. An interesting fact about these lynx is that they have a tendency to ‘cache’ their food - they will hide it in small portions for safekeeping. Often after being fed, our keepers will find little bits of our lynx’s dinner hidden all around the enclosure!” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryzoo.com/keep-it-wild/meet-our-new-eurasian-lynx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryzoo.com/keep-it-wild/meet-our-new-eurasian-lynx</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_lynx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_lynx</a></div> Eurasian Lynx <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/40247138"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/71/38/40247138.a9c3c807.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so disappointed that I missed seeing a Bobcat down in Fish Creek Park yesterday morning! I have longed to see one for years, but never been in luck. Oh, well, I had this photo of a Eurasian Lynx picked out for today, so will have to make do with that : ) <br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 29 September 2015, at the Calgary Zoo. That day, my alarm clock was set for 6:30 am so that I could go on a birding walk with friends. Unfortunately, I didn't read the e-mail carefully enough, so hadn't seen that the meeting place was not where I thought. Of course, no one else showed up where I was, so I took myself off to the Calgary Zoo instead. I had planned on going there after the walk, anyway. <br /> <br /> The metal bars around the enclosure make it difficult to get a decent shot. In order to get the bars blurred, I have to zoom in fully, which means not showing the tufted ears.<br /> <br /> This animal is also known as the European lynx, common lynx, the northern lynx, and the Siberian or Russian lynx. While its IUCN conservation status has been classified as "Least Concern", populations of Eurasian lynx have been reduced or extirpated from Western Europe, where it is now being reintroduced.<br /> <br /> “Earlier this year (2014), the Calgary Zoo welcomed two new Eurasian lynx - a one year old brother and sister pair named Kazan and Anastasia, respectively. They arrived from Elmvale Zoo, Ontario, in December 2013 and were debuted on April 11th, 2014. The Eurasian lynx is the largest and tallest lynx species in the world (there are four), and their size allows them to hunt larger mammals, often feasting on deer. Due to habitat loss they no longer can be found in central Europe, but they reside in Siberian forests, Central Asia and East Asia, where their natural predators are wolves and occasionally wolverines.<br /> <br /> Like most cats, Eurasian lynx tend to be nocturnal. They are a lot larger than Canadian lynx- and where Canadian lynx are silvery coloured, Eurasian lynx come in a variety of colours. An interesting fact about these lynx is that they have a tendency to ‘cache’ their food - they will hide it in small portions for safekeeping. Often after being fed, our keepers will find little bits of our lynx’s dinner hidden all around the enclosure!” From the Calgary Zoo.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryzoo.com/keep-it-wild/meet-our-new-eurasian-lynx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryzoo.com/keep-it-wild/meet-our-new-eurasian-lynx</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_lynx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_lynx</a></div> Anne Elliott