A visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo

Tuesday April 9, 2013

We were looking for something that was fun to do with the grandchildren and in the end the zoo was it.  We have been to the Pittsburgh zoo before but Ava was a baby then and Shane was only two.  This time Krista had take Shane out of school for the afternoon (no complaints from him!) and Ava only goes to kindergarten in the morning so no big deal there.  Shane and Ava have been to the Zoo lots of times but like most kids they like to redo things that they like. 

Zoos are a bit of a controversial subject but they do have their place in conservation and breeding programs as well as making young people aware of what is being lost in the wild.  Nuff said!

Ava, Krista and Shane are off to the Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa in tow.

Always something to buy in a gift shop. 

This tiger had just had a swim and was now beating up a big cardboard box and was having a great time doing it!

Very pink flamingos.

Doting Momma Rhino and her baby. 

Junior decided it was time for a mud bath and Mom was keeping a close eye on him. 

Krista and the kids have a look….Shane is taking pictures. 

Giraffes.

Elephants.

How tall are Ava and Shane compared to a baby elephant?

Time for a sandwich as everyone was hungry. 

I think Grandma has her mouth full.

Huge silverback gorilla picking grass and relaxing in the sun.

Time for a snack….I thought we just had lunch.  Kids are always hungry. 

Jungle area under glass.  Too cold in Pittsburgh for this to grow outside and it reminded me of Mexico where it does grow outside. 

The StingRay touch tank where the kids were encouraged to pat them….and they seemed to really like it as they all swam up to the edge of the tank. 

The kids could crawl through a tunnel and come up at the other end of the StingRay tank and pat them there as well.  A big hit!

There is a new Polar bear habitat and they seem a lot happier than they were in the old one.

Who wants these captured kids?

The seals were performing and working for their dinner of squid and fish.  Amazingly smart and they seem to enjoy the activity. 

The family watches the seal show. 

There is a large amusement park for the kids to play in when they are tired of looking at animals.

Scooting around.

Happy to be at the Zoo.

Don’t you think this fellow would look lovely in my garden! 

Ava inside the Meerkat viewing bubble.

Krista thinks she’d like one for a pet.  What would Don Diego the guinea pig say!  The poster says you need to have two. 

This little guy made me sad…looks like he needs more friends and room to run.  Such is the problem with Zoos. 

 

I think Grandpa is squeezing Shane’s leg.  Grandpa said he gave him an Indian rope burn on his wrist and then a horse bite on his leg! 

Time to head home.

Under the tunnel and ….

Down the hugely steep escalator to the parking lot and home. 

Old Pittsburgh buildings as we drive home. 

That night we were off to the Asian Bistro for dinner.  Holy cow we are getting really tired!

A great dinner was had by all.  Shane ate sushi, Ava had chicken, I had wonderful prawns and everyone else enjoyed their dinners as well.  Good service, great staff and good prices too.  What else could you ask for at the end of a busy day.