The day after Thanksgiving, we combined field trip #11 and field trip #12 into one very quick and cold experience. Mikie just finished The Magic Tree House books, Lions At Lunchtime and Polar Bears Past Bedtime. The closest zoo with a polar bear was the Maryland Zoo, and since we were in Maryland at Michael's aunt's house on Thanksgiving, we decided to spend the night at the Double Tree Hotel that evening and go see the animals the next day. They were calling for cold temps and rain so I was hesitant to stick with the plan, but I'm so glad we did. It wasn't raining, but it was VERY cold and windy. We were there when the zoo opened at 10:00 and left by noon. Here's what we saw:
First stop, Africa for our field trip #11 Lions At Lunchtime
Mikie was so excited to see a leopard since they are closely related to his favorite rain forest animal, the jaguar.
He came right up to the fence and sat down as if he was posing for our picture.
The cheetah was restless, which made it fun to observe him through the window.
We found the lions!
First stop, Africa for our field trip #11 Lions At Lunchtime
Mikie was so excited to see a leopard since they are closely related to his favorite rain forest animal, the jaguar.
He came right up to the fence and sat down as if he was posing for our picture.
The cheetah was restless, which made it fun to observe him through the window.
We found the lions!Next it was time to get warmed up in the primate house.
The boys had fun watching the chimpanzees, until one of them scared Zachary by banging on the glass right in his little face.
The boys discovered Zoboo from Zoboomafoo. (small black and white monkey above Zach's head)
The giraffes were in their barn enjoying their breakfast in the warmth. Leave it to Mikie to find numbers!
Mikie's favorite part was seeing the baby elephant, Samson, on the left. One of the "friends of the zoo" told us all about the baby elephant and signed Mikie's book.
A short walk across the zoo and now we're in the Arctic for field trip #12 Polar Bears Past Bedtime.
Mikie shows us the snow owl page (small white dot behind him).
We found the arctic fox!
And finally, the polar bears!
The polar bears were pretty inactive, but once we climbed into the tundra buggy (observation deck) we did see one of them walk a few feet before lying down again. It was warm in the buggy and we would have stayed longer if Mikie didn't need to use the bathroom. I really thought the polar bears might be more fun to watch since it felt like we really were in the arctic that day.
The boys had fun watching the chimpanzees, until one of them scared Zachary by banging on the glass right in his little face.
The boys discovered Zoboo from Zoboomafoo. (small black and white monkey above Zach's head)
The giraffes were in their barn enjoying their breakfast in the warmth. Leave it to Mikie to find numbers!
Mikie's favorite part was seeing the baby elephant, Samson, on the left. One of the "friends of the zoo" told us all about the baby elephant and signed Mikie's book.A short walk across the zoo and now we're in the Arctic for field trip #12 Polar Bears Past Bedtime.
Mikie shows us the snow owl page (small white dot behind him).
We found the arctic fox!
And finally, the polar bears!The polar bears were pretty inactive, but once we climbed into the tundra buggy (observation deck) we did see one of them walk a few feet before lying down again. It was warm in the buggy and we would have stayed longer if Mikie didn't need to use the bathroom. I really thought the polar bears might be more fun to watch since it felt like we really were in the arctic that day.
Several animals from Africa and the Arctic spotted, two field trips completed, and the warmth of the mini-van waiting for us just over the hill. Time to go!
Having grown up in Maryland, I have never been to the MD zoo...but looks like fun, although pretty cold that day! I can't believe you have managed field trips for all 12 books...you are amazing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got two field trips at one destination. Too bad it wasn't warmer, but you didn't have to fight the crowds.
ReplyDeleteGlad they saw Zoboo.