You might not necessarily consider visiting zoo's during the winter months but it's well worth bundling up, sticking on the layers (in this instance two pairs of socks and gloves) and having a wander in the off season. Come summer when the masses hit with their picnic baskets and children in toe, you'll find many of the animals inactive - much to the discontent of visitors wishing and declaring the animals to always be doing something regardless. Yet for many animals the Mid West summers can be just too warm for them, the colder climes are their season, and now is the time to get out and see them being active while the masses stay home.
Wrapping ourselves up warm we took to our local Detroit Zoo this weekend to just see which animals were making the most of the colder weather - in fact many of them were. The Polar Bear (a regular on this blog) was enjoying himself in his pool - attacking playfully, tossing around his plastic barrels and balls, the two otters chasing and swimming after each other, their waterfall glistening against a backdrop of icicles to the camels just not being at all bothered about the snow under his tummy. Granted for us humans there were quick dashes between the indoor exhibits to keep warm and battle my steamed up glasses yet alone camera lens but it was fun all the same.
You might this this weather would make penguins feel right at home, yet here in the US many penguin exhibits are housed inside (the only one I haven't seen inside is at the Toledo Zoo, Ohio) due to again, the summer heat. Sadly penguins wouldn't far too well in those temperatures, yet compared to seeing how penguins are houses in the UK - I'm thinking of particularly of Edinburgh Zoo, penguin buildings always seem to be a little on the dark side in the US. Nevertheless as a lover of the penguin I'm really looking forward to the purposed new penguin building that the Detroit Zoo in planning to open by the end of 2015.
So get wrapped up, miss the crowds and go see the animals while they are enjoying their favorite time of the year!
Which if your favorite time of the year for zoo trips?
So get wrapped up, miss the crowds and go see the animals while they are enjoying their favorite time of the year!
Which if your favorite time of the year for zoo trips?
Your photos are always so lovely! I particularly like the one of the bears. I think that the last time I went to the zoo (Edinburgh) was probably back in the summer of 2007. They've had pandas for a few years now but I still haven't been to see them despite only living about an hour away. I'm a real animal lover and it's so incredible to see animals that I would never see otherwise.
ReplyDeleteDebi x
I think the last time I was at Edinburgh Zoo they were just in the process of getting the Pandas or that had got them but they weren't on show yet. Would love to see a Panda one day, do love the Koalas there though.
DeleteBeautiful photos - I love the shot of the otters!
ReplyDeleteI've not been to the zoo in aaages, I'm really hoping we can go this year and hopefully take the boyfriend's kids too :)
Jess xo
I haven't been to the zoo in a while but I do prefer the winter to summer though. It seems like the animals are more active. Nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever been to the zoo in the winter time. I'm going to have to check out in any New York zoo is open because that lil otter is just too cute!!! I love the polar bear and penguin pics too! =)
ReplyDeleteErgo-Blog
Your photographs are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
This is such a good idea, I don't think I've ever been to the zoo in winter. Generally I go to London Zoo in the summer when they do Zoo Lates. It's just so much fun to go to the zoo with street food and booze and music in the evening!
ReplyDeleteSorcha x Bright Field Notes
Yeah Detroit Zoo does the extended night opens in the summer and even and special events for members (which we are although we've never been to any as they tend to be on weeknights) - they have special wine and beer nights with local companies which always sound like they could be fun - shame we don't live within walking distance!
DeleteI have the same problem with London Zoo, it's in Camden, which is SO FAR from where I am. I'd love to visit more!
DeleteI will be honest I never knew they opened zoo's in the winter
ReplyDeleteI thought it would be too cold for all the animals
But they look pretty happy and to be honest the snow looks lovely :)
Leah @ Peaches and Smoke
That otter is so cute, your photos are lovely! Going to the zoo this month was lovely bevause it was so quiet. I went to London Zoo in March last year and the weather was warmer and it wasn't that busy so I'd say thats a good time to go!
ReplyDeleteYeah springtime is always good for both seeing animals and missing all the crowds, although not being in the warmest of climes there's always a couple of animals off exhibit until the summer hits here.
DeleteLove your pics :)! The Polar Bear seems to be having fun. It's been a few years since I've last been to the Zoo (Edinburgh Zoo is our nearest) as the last time we intended going it was chucking down with rain. A couple of hours from where we live there is the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie and that's quite a good place to visit too, they have Red Pandas, Scottish Wildcats and also you can drive around with wild ponies, elk, reindeer just wandering around next to your car. Thanks for sharing as I love animal pics :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much good stuff about the Highland Wildlife Park - grew up with so many holiday's in Scotland yet can't say I've ever been. Just been looking around their website - it looks a great place and they have some Polar Bears too! The Polar Bears at the Detroit Zoo (there's two of them atm and they hope that they breed this year) the male bear is such a playful thing, he's not always about when we visit so i'm glad we visit throughout the year to see him, he's always fun to watch!
DeleteHow much I wish that I was living there :( ! We don't have any zoos here but seeing your lovely pictures seems like I am there watching those wonderful creatures. I'm a penguin lover for sure and seeing them like that in their "natural habitat" makes me wanna cry haha.. Lovely blog - following for sure :)
ReplyDeleteStay Beautiful
Belle xxx
http://beautyisart27.blogspot.com/
Hehe, the Penguin Parade at Edinburgh Zoo was always good fun. I love these photos of yours though!
ReplyDeleteOh my! Such cute pictures! Love the polar bear and pinguins! I've always loved the zoo. Will have to go in the winter! Cute!
ReplyDeleteWho knew a camel could looks so chilled out in snow! Seriously I must come to this zoo! They have my favourite animals, polar bears and penguins!
ReplyDeleteI love going to the zoo, it's something Kris and I did a lot on our interrail trip and we have also been to the zoo here in Belgium. I have never thought about the zoo in the winter months, I always assumed they were closed. I'm going to go check that out now!
~ K
If I remember rightly those are Mongolian camels and in the wild, the desserts can get extremely cold as well as being really warm, so in theory it's pretty normal weather for them. But it's def a little odd seeing camels in the snow when you have images growing up of them being in the sand dunes!
DeleteOh wow, you got some brilliant pictures! I love going to the zoo but loathe the crowds (mostly the screaming kids) so I like early summer before they break up from school :)
ReplyDeleteYeah we do tend to avoid the zoo during the summer - at least at weekends, I remember how busy the Pittsburgh Zoo was when we visited back in August - so so busy!
DeleteI have never seen a camel that furry before!!! I want to go stop by our local zoo here soon so I can see the animals in the wintertime too!
ReplyDeleteI could do with some of that fur for the weather here this week!
DeleteI completely agree going to visit in the off seasons, I loathe the masses of kids and parents who aren't watching them. That sea otter, they are my fave to watch!
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing photographs! Looks like a great Zoo!
ReplyDeleteHannah :) x
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