Toronto Zoo Series

 

 

 

The Blue Macaw was the center of my attention this day! Yellow and Red Macaw hanging out just above. The clue being the yellow, and red tail feathers to the right in this photo.

 

Seems everywhere I go, I see birds. Birds fascinate me and I could not imagine a world without them.

I learned something I never knew before this past week. Did you know that by throwing your chewing gum away, outdoors, that you could kill and innocent bird? Birds apparently mistake it for bread or food, and when they swallow it, it gets stuck in their inners and they suffocate, and die. They can not digest gum. Makes one think or at least it should. Please don’t litter, and if you feel inclined please tell others not to throw their gum where an innocent bird or animal may find it. And I thank you, because I love birds. :)

 

 

 

 

 

This guy reminds me of “The Friendly Giant”

You know,”Look way up Rusty”

I loved watching that TV show growing up. Remember Jerome? Seeing this Giraffe brings back good childhood memories for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently Hippo’s Like Apples. Seems so small, considering where it is heading. That is one huge mouth. I think I will stick to feeding treats to my little dog, Jesse. :) 

 

 

 

 

I took this picture through the thick glass window. Would you look at those nails, or claws. I would not want to meet one of these in the wild. I get the willy’s just thinking about it. We don’t have any of these running free in Ontario like they do in Western Canada and other places in the world. “But” we now have Cougars and a few years ago one was spotted in a field on the outskirts of our fair city. I think I would rather visit them at the Toronto Zoo, “Thank you very much!

 

 

 

 

I think Mr. Cougar was having a bad day at the Zoo.

I couldn’t get a full body image and had to aim my lens so it would focus between the thick mesh fencing. I would not want to meet one of these beautiful cats in the wild. Wild he is! Look at those eyes and teeth. I have heard so many stories of human encounters with these big cats, and my heart goes out to those who have been attacked by these predators.

 

 

 

 

 

This is one bird that I hope to one day see in the wild, flying free as an Eagle should. This Northern Bald Eagle was rescued and most likely not survive in the wilderness on its own. Just as many of us have stories of survival, this great Eagle has a story of its own.

 

All photos and script by Dianne © dsphotocats

 

These are just a few of the photos I took at the Toronto Zoo this past week. http://www.torontozoo.com/ExploreTheZoo/ It was a hot summers day, and the lighting was a challenge at times. It was suppose to be a mid 70’s day but per usual this summer the temperature climbed. I did enjoy my day at the zoo and stayed until closing time.

Well it is a beautiful Labor Day Monday and I took the day off work. Think I will head outside and enjoy some late summer air and sunshine. Hope to visit and do some catching up as well.

Hope to find you all well and enjoying this fine day.

xx’s Dianne :)

 

P.S I added a few new pictures of my family on the side bar, including my new Granddaughter. :) Her name is Briana Marina and was born on Aug. 27th weighing in at 5lbs. 3 ounces.  I may add some photos at a later date with permission of parents. I now have five Granddaughters and one Grandson. I am truly Blessed beyond measure. :)

Hug A Zebra Day

 

 

 

 

Hug A Zebra

 

Did you know

Today is hug a Zebra Day?

You say oh my gosh

I did not know!

So hug your Zebra with all your might.

If you don’t have a Zebra,

Then hug The One your with.

If you are all alone,

then hug the First Person or Zebra you see!

Or give Yourself a big old hug,

and say I love me.

You say oh my gosh

I could never do that.

What would people say?

Can you imagine that?

You could always send a hug,

to all your Blog Friends,

Or go out and find a Zebra.

No matter what you decide to do

or who you hug .

Have a wonderful day!

Poem written  by Dianne dsphotocats

Dianne © dsphotocats

 

 

 

 

These photos were taken a few years ago at the Toronto Zoo. It was a very bright sunny summer day. The sun was harsh in the top photo but the pose was perfect. I just happened to be around at the right time. I will gladly sacrifice perfect lighting for this perfect pose. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the mother zebra put its legs around her baby in the form of a hug. Isn’t nature wonderful! I think it is awesome how God makes even the animals to have such affection towards their own. God uses His Creation to show us His Love. At least that is my experience. God can reveal Himself to anyone who is truly seeking to find Him.

Romans Chapter 1:20  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse.

Isaiah 55:6  Seek The Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.

I even think of our dear pets and how they show us so much Love and Affection. What a Blessing they are to us. God can use anything that He created to reveal Himself to us. God is not limited. He is Almighty, and the Author of Love. God is Spirit, and God is  Love in it’s Purest Form.

Although it is not until Feb. 14th, I would like to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day.

Love and Hugs to all my Blogger Friends

Dianne :)

Jelly At The Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moon Jellyfish

 

 

When a person goes to the Zoo most people think of Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Monkeys and such. I decided back in Sept. I would check out a few different species in the Pavilions. I found it challenging due to the lighting in these buildings, and of course the crowds of onlookers, but thought I would give it a try.

I could spend hours at the zoo in awe of all the amazing animals that I see, and want to see. I find it so fascinating. I think I could spend weeks there and not have enough time to spend with all my animal friends. I love animals and so does the One who Created them all. What an imagination our God and Creator has to make such a vast diversity of life on this planet called earth, and we humans haven’t discovered it all yet and probably never will. Scientists are no match for God The Creator of all life, including them. :)

These pictures were taken at the Toronto Zoo which has over 5000 different animal species to see. At some point I will post some of my other zoo pictures.

I will leave information on the Moon Jellyfish at the end of this post for anyone who may be interested in reading it and finding out some fascinating information on this animal. There are plenty of good sites on the internet as well.

I haven’t been out with my camera in quite awhile due to life circumstances. It has been on the shelf for now, but when the time is right I will be back out capturing the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. For now I am just thankful for eyes to see the things around me day by day. I am thankful for many things in my life. Life is precious. I hope to find you all well. Thank you for those of you who remember my mom in your prayers as she suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. Life is challenging and an uphill battle for her. She is very courageous, and a woman of Faith. I am a much better person because of my mom. She has always been there for me, and I for her.

Hope you all take care and have a wonderful week whatever you do or don’t do.

Until next time and I hope to visit you all soon.

xx’s Dianne :)

 

 

 

Moon jellyfish

 

Location at the Toronto Zoo: Australasia

Region:

Australasia

 

Scientific Name:

Aurelia aurita

Description

: Jellyfish are ancient creatures. Fossils have been found in rocks that are 650 million years old. Today there are more than 2000 species. Jellyfish are 95% water, 3% protein, and 1% mineral. There are four life stages from birth to adult. There is no backbone, brain, or heart. Adults drift with the currents, but can swim horizontally by pulsations of the bell to keep close to the surface. A primitive nerve net controls muscle contractions as it swims. The adult form is a transparent bell shape that ranges between 5 and 40 cm wide. Underneath is a central mouth surrounded by four oral arms that carry the stinging tentacles. From above, four crescent shaped gonads surround the mouth. On the rim of the bell are eight sets of eye spots sensitive to light and eight statocysts that help orient jellyfish when swimming. Jellyfish are primitive organisms with an outer layer (ectoderm) that covers the external surface and an inner layer (endoderm) that lines the gut. Between these is a jelly layer or mesoglea. The simple digestive cavity acts as a gullet, stomach, and intestine. There is one opening between the oral arms that acts as a mouth, anus, and entrance for sperm (in females).

Distribution

: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Habitat

: Shallow coastal waters as well as brackish waters with a salt content as low as 0.6 %. Jellyfish can survive in water from 6 ˚C to 31 ˚C. The optimum temperature is 9 ˚C to 19 ˚C.

Food

: Jellyfish are carnivorous plankton eaters. They feed on fish eggs and larval fish and other plankton, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and copepods etc. Food is collected on the mucus surface of the jellyfish and by the tentacles. Flagellar action of the tentacles passes the food items to the margin of the bell and then up into the mouth and stomach.

Reproduction and Development

: Jellyfish are either male or female. Sexual reproduction begins when a male medusa releases sperm through its mouth. The sperm swim into the mouth of a nearby female where fertilization occurs. Further development into free swimming planula (larval stage) occurs in brood pouches along the oral arms. The planula settle on the ocean floor and attach to the bottom forming the polyp. Polyps bud asexually to produce free swimming larvae known as ephyra, which grow into the adult medusa.

Adaptations

: The transparent body makes a jellyfish less visible to predators. Oral arms have tentacles that carry nematocysts (stinging cells) that stun prey or deter predators. About 70 species are harmful to humans. The medusa can shrink in size when food is scarce and grow when it is abundant. Radial symmetry permits finding food in any direction.

Threats to Survival

: Predators include sea turtles, ocean sunfish, spade fish, tuna, swordfish, and other large fish. Humans, particularly in some Asian countries, capture and eat dried non-venomous jellyfish.

Status

: IUCN: Not Evaluated; CITES: Not Listed.

Zoo Diet

: Cyclopeeze, and live brine shrimp.