Thursday's Thanksgiving 11-24-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  It's also Thanksgiving here in the United States.  So, Happy Thanksgiving as well!  This is my Thanksgiving bird who lives in the Reynolds Aviary at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  I put him in pencil sketch in the Picasa program and lightened him a little and, well, here you go.  I had a wonderful day with family and friends and great food, too.  I am thankful for all my blessings.

I hope you had a thankful day also.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Duck Season 11-19-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  Today began Duck Hunting Season in South Carolina.  We were awakened by many gun shots this morning.  It was a little scary.  I was glad I was inside.  This duck is not afraid.  He is safe inside the Reynolds Aviary in the Asheboro NC Zoo.  From what I've read, this is a Northern Pintail Duck.  He's a cutie pie without any color - except for the tag on his leg.  He's lucky he will continue to be unafraid throughout Duck Hunting Season.

I hope you were had a great non scary Saturday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Biter 11-17-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  I know someone who wants to take a bite out of today.  This parrot hangs out at the Reynolds Aviary at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  He is usually hanging out in a tree watching others pass.  You'll miss him if you don't look up as you're walking along the path.  You might want to know where he is anyway so you don't get a "present" dropped on your head - haha.

I hope you had a great Thursday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday's Majestic Elephant 10-14-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton    

Hello and happy Friday.  Today I have for you a portrait of the majestic elephant.  I wasn't aware of this until today but the elephant is on the endangered list.  Elephants are being killed for their ivory by unethical, unlawful, greedy individuals who have no regard for life.  And, it seems, also for sport by wealthy individuals.  But this beautiful creature was found at the Asheboro, where his or her life is protected.  It feels nice to be protected sometimes.  I thank the elephant for being so close so as to allow me a chance at photographs.  

I hope you felt grateful and protected today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Blue Grey Tanager 09-17-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  I am back at the NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC looking at a "Blue Grey Tanager". The Blue-Grey Tanager is a song bird that usually lives in tropical areas between southern Mexico to the northern edge of the Amazon.  This beautiful bird pleases my eyes.

I hope you had something pleasing to your eyes this Saturday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

"I'll Be There For You", Says Wednesday's Giraffe 09-14-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  I know I showed a giraffe earlier this week but I also wanted to show this one today.  I chose it because the giraffe in front is looking at me as if to say,  "When the others leave you, I'll still be here".  Who doesn't want to have that one special someone that will stay and be supportive even when everyone else leaves?  I know I really count on that and am very grateful for her.

I hope you have someone in your life that won't leave you when others walk away.  I also hope you had a wonderful Wednesday,  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Sleepy? Chilean Flamingo 09-13-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  When I went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro the other day, I just had to stop and see the Chilean Flamingos.  The Chilean Flamingo is one of the tallest flamingos that can grow to 4.3 feet.  It just looks big and heavy, but it only weighs up to a paltry 7.7 pounds.  I haven't ever had the chance to pick one up, but they look heavier than 8 pounds.  One other thing that I've noticed about flamingos is that they never seem to close their eyes.  Online I looked for an for the eye non closure and could find nothing.  I did learn that when they eat from the little pond behind them, their bill is upside down and their tongue pushes the water out filtering their food.  Pretty interesting, but not the question I asked the 'net.  Maybe I'll have a definitive answer to that question before I put another , seemingly sleeping, flamingo on my blog.

I hope you had an interesting Tuesday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

"Hey, Hey Monday" 09-12-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  My giraffe friend wants to say, "Hey, hey, Monday"!!  This large, long, graceful giraffe is located at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  He hides behind the rocks sometimes, but comes out after a few minutes just to say, "Hey".  Go see him sometime.  I know you'll enjoy him.

I hope there was something you enjoyed this Monday if you weren't at the Zoo.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Blue Ginger 09-10-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  It's not only the animals that you find at the NC Zoo.  You can also find wonderful flowers like this.  I found this in the Aviary.  This gorgeous flower is called the Blue Ginger, or a Sapphire Blue Ginger.  It just had all those buds around a single bloom that I couldn't help but fall in love at first sight!  There is so much beauty all around and I am very grateful that I get to experience so much.

I hope you had a wonderful and grateful Saturday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday's Aviary 09-09-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  Today, I had the day off.  Yay!  I had to run an errand, so, since I had to get out of the house anyway, I went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro.  And, lookee where I found myself - in the Aviary, where I found this character.   I didn't get a chance to find out what kind of bird this is and I couldn't find it on the internet, but I feel like this bird is asking what everyone wants to know:  "What's in YOUR wallet?"  Haha.

I hope you had a happy Friday and that you know where you put your wallet!  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sleepy Wednesday 08-31-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.   Maybe today was a lazy, sleepy, day for you.  It was not for me, but I hope that one day I will be able to have a sleepy, lazy, Wednesday.  Dare to dream.  I love the NC Zoo in Asheboro.  Whether the animals are running around or sleeping on the rocks, any day is a good day at the Zoo.

I hope you had a good Thursday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Bobcat 07-20-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  This little Bobcat, in my mind, has just an angelic look to him that it's hard to believe that he is an excellent hunter.  He hunts mostly rabbits and hares, but can, during the winter months especially, catch an adult deer.  Needless to say, while I might want to go up and give this guy a hug, I am not going to mess with him.

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday and found someone you could hug.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday's Dance Request 06-24-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  The birds you see are called Scarlet Ibis.  They originate from the tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean Islands.  I found these at the Asheboro NC Zoo in the Aviary.  They appear to be striking a pose and asking to dance.  It is Friday, after all, and a great day to go out dancing.

There is also a short story called The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst, first published in 1960 and has become a literary classic.  James Hurst was born near Jacksonville, North Carolina, and, although he travelled and lived many places in his lifetime, he was living in Jacksonville, North Carolina at the end of his life.  The Scarlet Ibis is a thought provoking story of two young brothers.  If you'd like to read it, check out http://www.calapitter.net/dead/39/scarlet_ibis.html.  It's not a very long story, but definately worth the read.

"Now, let's go dancing", say the Scarlet Ibis.

I hope you had something to dance about today,  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday's Happy Fathers' Day 06-12-16 (Although NOT Fathers' Day)

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Sunday.  Since I gave you a church yesterday, today I get to give a shout out to all the fathers out there on Fathers' Day.  On a recent trip to the Asheboro NC Zoo, I was at the Chimpanzee area and look at what I saw!  I am going to say that this is the father of that little one because, well, it's my blog and that's what I want to believe today.  Ha.  I mean, look at their interaction - he must be the parent of that little one.  I have actually been saving this picture for a couple weeks just for this day.  It makes me feel good to see the emotions of these two who are obviously close, just like fathers and their children should be.  So to all you fathers out there who are involved with and love your children, "Happy Fathers' Day".  There are also women that must play both mother and father roles who also deserve acknowledgement.

I hope you all had a sensational Sunday, whether or not you are a father because we all matter.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

P.S.  I really wanted today to be Fathers' Day, but it is not!  Haha.  Joke is on me for not looking that up first.  Guys, you got this a week early - live large and enjoy.  Smile!!

Wednesday's Walk 05-25-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  Today, let's take a walk through the wonderful Aviary at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  So, not only does the Aviary have wonderfully exotic birds and flowers, it also provides a beautiful walkway with occasional grates for cool air to blow up from when it's too hot under the dome.  If you get tired along your walk or your camera set up gets too heavy, there are a few benches to sit and recover.  That's right - it's a great place!

I hope you were able to enjoy a great place today.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Friday For the Home 05-20-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  Thinking about going home later - to your own little nest?  Do you have enough stuff there to be comfortable?  Well, it looks like someone needs more.   This is a Sunbittern, found mainly between Guatemala and Ecuador and doesn't really migrate.  I found this one at the Asheboro NC Zoo.  Looks like he just wants to go home and make his bed.  I hope it will be comfortable.  It seems he's not going to let anything get in his way - even someone who just stands nearby and takes his photo.

I hope you had a good and homely Friday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Big Eyed Purple Thursday 05-19-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Today it's back to the Asheboro NC Zoo with a Purple Glossy Starling in the Aviary.  I think he has the  biggest eye I've seen in a bird this size, so I am going to name him "Walker, Texas Ranger" (even though this bird is from Africa and I am in North Carolina).  If you've ever seen that TV show, you probably know the words to the song that Chuck Norris sings that says, "the eyes of a Ranger are upon you.  Anything you do he's gonna see..."   Yep, this bird sits high in the tree and he is watching!  I think I'll behave appropriately - - and take his picture.  :)   

I hope you behaved "appropriately" today.  Haha  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Green Woodhoopoe 05-17-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  Tonight I want to show you a Green Woodhoopoe, that you can also see in person at the Asheboro NC Zoo Aviary.   There doesn't seem to be as much green as there is blue, but I didn't name the bird.  This bird is from south of the Sahara Desert in Africa.  There's a lot to read about the Hoopoes so if you're interested check out:  http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2011/03/hoopoe-hoopoe-wherefore-art-thou-bright.html.  The history of the hoopoes goes back at least to Greek Mythology.  Karl Shuker's blog is an interesting read.

I hope you had an interesting Tuesday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.