Honolulu Zoo

WARNING: Massive post y'all.

Today I decided to take my own field trip. I boarded the bus and went to the Honolulu Zoo. Anyone reading here who knows me personally knows that I am in love with animals. For those that don't...for the record: I am in love with animals. Even Auntie's cat is okay (although dogs trump cats in my opinion), but I needed other creatures in my life. The first ones I spotted were flamingos.

Aren't they pretty? I was amazed by how friendly they appeared toward people. I say "appeared" because I don't know for sure of course, and I wasn't about to find out.The other bird that I adored looking at was the Peacock. They didn't seem to be too invested into company though.

I'll admit that I was pretty tired of looking at birds after that. The Honolulu Zoo has a pigeon exhibit. Pigeons? Really? I've seen way too many of those in my lifetime, and let me tell ya a secret....they're rats with wings. Nothing special at home, and nothing special here. Let's head on over to the monkeys. I know certain people back at home who are not a fan of these mammals, so disclaimer: Scroll.

These are called White Handed Gibbon. They don't have tails, so they depend on excellent eyesight, and strength in their long arms to keep from falling as they swing from branch to branch.

I was glad I took my photo and walked away when I did, because after this they went a little kooky with another person. Bananas? Ape shit? Insert pun here.

I think I liked the Francois Monkey a lot more though, because they're incredibly active. Francois (pronounced Frawn-SWAH) Monkeys are leaf monkeys. They are native to monsoon forests of China, Vietnam, and Laos. They're endangered, because of lack of habitat and people hunting them. (People believe their body parts have value) Sad.

I think my nephew Dean would have enjoyed the next exhibit I visited. These are Galapagos Tortoises.

According to what I read, they're gentle giants and enjoy grazing on grass. Some weigh up to 500 pounds! They are evolving on The Galapagos Islands, where there are few predators. They can also live up to 150 years old. (Cue Nemo: "One hundred and FIFTY?!?"...Yeah, that's the first thing I thought of. And yes, I have seen that movie about a million and five times.) I'd post the rest of the pictures, but um...they evolved from G rated to....not so G rated. One began mating with another one, and if I posted those, anyone reading this with little ones would have some 'splainin to do.

Want to see a Tiger?

Yeah, I did too.

At first this guy wouldn't really come out for me.

But, once I got down to his glass pen on the other side I had better shots.

I promised my stepmom I would get pictures of some lions (her favorite) but the lions apparently had other plans.

If you look really closely, he's chillin right by that rock. See? That one right there?....No? Darn you lion for being antisocial.

My final stop, (because I couldn't resist) was seeing the Wild Dogs. Wild Dogs are only found in Africa, hunt in packs and are meat eaters. In other words, you really don't want to cross one.

I think I like these better:

Or (especially) these:

I'm pretty sure those wouldn't kill me.