We Interrupt The Wyatt Story ....

Because we went to the Zoo!!  If it's a hot day and you just want to get out of the house, the Tucson Zoo is a great place to hang out.  Almost the entire park is covered with trees and shade covers with benches everywhere.  Of course the bugs are out in force, but some OFF will help keep them at bay.

It happened that I turned the wrong direction upon leaving the train station and got stuck in construction.  With no way out, I just kept driving until I spotted a golf course.  HEY!!  I bet the ZOO is around here somewhere, and sure enough, it was two blocks away.  The entrance is a little difficult to find, but with the help of the lady at the bus stop, I got to the parking lot.

I'm pretty sure this enclosure had tigers in it previously.  It's now the Wild Dog exhibit with five of them running back and forth on the same trail.  Sad really. 

This huge guy ... and I mean he hasn't missed a meal in forever ... was lounging under the trees.  

When I walked behind him for a closeup, he wasn't happy at all.  Very wary these guys.  When he started to get up, I backed off.  No use interrupting his snooze time.

Who would have thought, they even have an alligator.  I imagine the hot weather doesn't bother him at all.

Keep in mind this is a rather small zoo, but with BIG occupants.  I don't think I've ever seen a Zebra this "healthy".  At least you know everyone is well fed.

The entire place is a muddy mess, but most of the inhabitants like that part.  They wallow around in the mud (like the rhino paddock here) to keep the flies at bay.

Mom giraffe is the smart one ... she remained inside the building with the air conditioning on.  The two younger ones headed out for the tasty branch tied on a pole.

This beauty, about 15 inches long, was outside running amok chasing down his buggy dinner.

Of course these guys are one of my favorites.  Only the female was visible, cleaning her paws like any good kitty.

She rubbed her eyes and ears like your local house cat.

Another heat lover, the meerkats, were hard at it chowing down breakfast.  They seem to be used to the hot weather, although it really wasn't too bad on this day.  One stayed far to the right sitting up the entire time, keeping a lookout for danger.  These kids are so funny to watch!  They were all trying to get to something underneath the lettuce. 

Hearing lots of growly noises, I wandered over to the anteater area.  Either this guy is being territorial, or there's a beautiful sexy girl on the other side of that fence.  He was going crazy marching back and forth yelling pretty loudly!!  She just turned and looked the other way.  Good luck buddy!!

There's a nice little plot of flamingos, all of whom were sleeping on one foot except this lady ... or maybe it's a male.  She was gathering rocks and chunks of mud in her beak and placing them around her to make a nest.  There may be some babies in their future.

There are many more critters, but during the week they have the option of remaining indoors, and most did due to the heat I'm sure.

There's one more big section of the zoo to see, but it will have to wait for lack of blog space.  I don't want to inundate you with pictures.  I watched (from rather far away) as a baby elephant began to play in a mud hole.  I began snapping pictures.  Another bigger baby joined him.  200 pictures later, I now have to wade through them to find a few to post.  They were having a blast ..... and so was I.