Hanging out on Monday 12-14-15

Copyright AJ Horton

Hello and happy Monday.  Whenever I need any inspiration I can always count on our friends at the zoo.  This fine Lemur is just hanging around enjoying the day.  I'm not sure if he's just relaxing or if he's on the lookout for danger.  It's just hard to read his eyes.  They always look a little scary to me.  I'm hoping he's at least comfortable.

I hope you had a relaxing and comfortable Monday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Forked Tongue

Copyright 2015 AJ Horton  Do not use without written permission

Hello on Wednesday.  Last week, when I was walking along the path and checking out my photos on my camera near the dinosaur exhibit at the Asheboro Zoo, I was abruptly stopped by a zoo keeper.  She told me I could not go any further along the path.  I had been to the dinosaur exhibit on an earlier visit and as I was about to tell her so, she pointed  down the path and, well, now you get to see what I saw.  This snake, ladies and gentlemen, is a Copperhead.  I've read that these snakes are the most common that we see, and they're the most common ones to bite and, they give no warning signs that they're preparing to strike!  However, their venom is rarely fatal to humans.  Does that make you feel better?  Yeah, it doesn't make me feel any better either.   Especially when he's sticking out his forked tongue.  You can learn more about copperheads at http://www.livescience.com/43641-copperhead-snake.html.

The zoo keeper called for a snake "handler", but that person had not arrived by the time I stopped photographing the snake.  And, as I went beyond the snake, he began to unfurl and move off the path, which, I believe, will make it more difficult for the handler.  I didn't stick around, though.  I wanted to go to another part of the zoo.  I'm very grateful that I was stopped and not allowed to pass too closely to the copperhead.  I'm also grateful that I was allowed to take photographs to show you.

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

Sunday Dinner

Copyright AJ Horton

Happy Sunday.  On Sundays many folks get together for a meal and visit.  They go out to a restaurant.  Sometimes they stay at home and cook.  Sometimes, though, people are too busy and just eat while on the go.  That's just what my bird friend did here! This pretty bird can be found in the aviary at the Asheboro Zoo.  He always seems to be in a hurry so you have to look quickly if you want to see him.  Being able to follow birds around is like exercise for your eyes.  You have to move your eyes almost as fast as the birds fly to keep up with them and then STOP suddenly for just a second, maybe two, while they're still.  Then you start all over again.  It's a challenge, but, we all need to exercise every part of our body, right?

I hope you had a superbly sensational Sunday.  I hope you've had a chance to exercise your eyes today.  I thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Copyright 2015 AJ Horton

"In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight....." written by Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore  and performed by the Tokens.  If by some very small chance you do not know the tune or any of the lyrics you can find it on YouTube, "The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight.  

When I was at the Asheboro Zoo yesterday and saw this guy, that song immediately sprang to mind and, in my head, I was transformed.  Any stress I was carrying instantly vanished.  I knew what I had to do.  I had to sing only in my head so as not to disturb the king of the jungle so I could make many photos.  But now I can sing as loudly as I want for I am home, safe and sound

I hope you've had a fantastic Friday.  I hope you have a nice song that you like to sing - even if it is in your head.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow,

Thursday Blue at the Zoo

Copyright 2015 AJ Horton

Hello on Thursday.  This is a blue crowned pigeon that I saw today at the Asheboro Zoo in North Carolina.  I think he's actually prettier in person than in my photo - but you get the idea.  I could spend all day at that zoo.  It's awesome.  The aviary area is where I spent most of my time today.  I do, however, have photos of animals other than birds so get ready to see more this week.  While I was in the aviary I thought about that television show "Under the Dome".   The aviary is basically a big dome that mimics a rain forest.  It's wonderful to walk through and at the same time, I'm glad I don't have to live there.

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

"Bear"ly able to stand this Wednesday!

Copyright AJ Horton

Whew!  Wednesday!  What a day.  This poor guy at the Asheboro Zoo, NC just doesn't seem to have the strength to go.   I know how he feels.  I imagine most of you who read this feel this way once in a while, too.  This particular Wednesday is one of the days I feel like this fellow.  But, I just need to suck it up, pull up my big girl panties, and get through it, just like this guy will and just like most people do.
This is a beautiful day outside.  The sun is shining and overall the weather is perfect.  Ahhh, feeling better already. 
I hope you've all had a wonderful day.  And, when you have those days like the bear above, remember, you'll get through it.  Keep believing.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

 

It's Wednesday, are you "Boar-ed"!?

Copyright AJ Horton

So I guess by now everyone knows I love the zoo.  This guy is at the Asheboro Zoo in North Carolina.  

So how was your Wednesday?  Was it fun?  Was it a lot of work?  Was it "boar-ing"?  If you spent any time with this guy I guess you could call it "boar-ing".  Haha.  

I hope that however you spent your day, that it was a good day.  Thanks for looking.  The next time you're "boar-ed", think about this guy and smile.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday???

Copyright AJ Horton

Wednesday?  What can I say about Wednesday?   This ostrich from one of the Florida zoos is curious as to what I'm able to say.  Well not much unfortunately.  He has me mesmerized with his eyes.  All I want to do is stare back.  I'm pretty sure that, since he's now a photograph, that he will win any staring contest we/I play.  And yet I continue to stare at him.  I wonder what he was thinking at the time.  Was he wondering what that weird thing was at my face making that clicking sound?  Was he thinking that was actually my face and how strange I looked? Was he thinking I was annoying him and wishing I would go away?  So many questions come to mind.   I think maybe I'm the only one with questions.  Maybe he has no questions.  Maybe he lives just for the moment.  Maybe there are times that we all live just for the moment - and that's when we have our most memorable times.  Yes, maybe. 

Were you able to have some "just for the moment" times today?  Something you'll remember and retell later?  As the days and years pass, is it easier to have those times?  Or is it harder?  So many questions.

Whatever happened today, whatever you did, I hope you enjoyed it. It is Wednesday after all and the week is half way over.  Always a reason to celebrate.  Thanks for looking - even staring if you wanted.  See you tomorrow.

Hanging out on Saturday

Copyright AJ Horton

So it's Saturday.  What have you been doing?  Working?  Playing?  Yard Work?  Hanging out?  Yeah, hanging out is what I'm doing.  And if you want to see this guy hanging out all you need to do is go to the Asheboro Zoo in North Carolina.  I think Saturdays are made for hanging out and just enjoying the day.  Isn't that why you work all week?  You work all week and get all your chores completed during the week so that you have Saturday to hang out and do what you want.   I hope you had a chance just to hang out today.  I hope you like my friend above.  I want to thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.