Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

On a hot Sunday morning I gathered the troops and we headed to mean old nasty Tampa to visit the zoo. Lowry Park Zoo is one of the nation's best so we were all pretty excited. It did not disappoint. They only house those creatures that can stand the tropical climate so no Polar Bears, but amazingly enough, penguins. Walk with us now, as we see the usual zoo residents, and many you usual do not see.

Sculpture of a manatee and her cub in the park entryway.

Another cub enjoying the several little fountains in the entrance.

They advertised misting fans but we didn't see a single one.  And we could have used one, it was hot.

Brendan is walking while reading a map.  I'm certain we'll get lost.

A couple of hippos.

The troops less the cameraman. 

A basking tiger finding some shade.

In what is, in my opinion, the fiercest predator on earth is the Komodo dragon.  These guys are relentless and merciless when hungry.  A personal note:  I hate snakes, but I hate these sons-of-bitches even more.  I saw a documentary once on these critters and I was unable to sleep for a month.

I have never seen one of these guys before so I was fascinated.  Bastards have a unique way of killing, because they do it in any fashion that suits them.  They can chase down on the spot since  they are fast but they can also poison your system then meander at their leisure till you are paralyzed.

Ancient prehistoric bastards.  Lots of people like keeping lizards as pets.  Others like snakes, and I DO NOT understand why.  There are mysteries in life, mysterium tremendum,  that I can only ponder with incredulity.

He seems to have transfixed himself with my image on a plate served warm.  Not today, Mr. Ugly, not today.

This good sized monkey is keeping cool with some fronds over his head.

Pretty neat monkey enclosure.  Gone are the days of cages and now we have them in their type of habitat surrounded my moats.  

Pretty baboon.  And scary, too.

Monkeys like to flash, throw feces, play with themselves and are our direct predecessors in the evolutionary chain.  How's that make you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror?

I forget what type of monkeys these were.

A pretty golden monkey.  My camera doesn't do it justice.

But I kept trying.  It was enclosed by a mesh screening.  Oh well.  

Norah on the carousel.

Brendan wandering off to get me a root beer float. 

As long as we are here let's go over and take a look at that giant snake.  Of course everyone had to touch me and say "gotcha".  Ha ha.  Damn slimy sons-o-bitches.

MORE TOMORROW.