At the zoo!

I've been upstaged!  Yes, it's true.  My full set of zoo pictures, that I had intended to share exclusively with all of you was 'leaked' on a Facebook page.  I have so far, only shown you, in this post, the first half of them.  

Now, to be honest, I myself gave the pictures with no restrictions whatsoever, to the management here with the understanding that they could use them as they saw fit.  It's just that they were faster than I was at putting them out there, so to speak. 

So, I'm not complaining in the least.  My claim of being upstaged is totally tongue-in-cheek. I'm actually pleased that my pictures have been seen by residents and family who do not know of my blog. They even gave me credit as the photographer. And most of you do not know about the Waitakere Gardens Facebook page. So you're even. Of course, now you do, so you're one up.  

Anyway, let's get back to the zoo.  Simon and Garfunkel said that the animals will love it if you do. 

Orangutangs are skeptical of changes in their cages, 

This is the Tasmanian Devil.  It did seem hyperactive.  

Definitely not hyperactive

   

 

Not a good picture unfortunately, but that's a red panda.  

Jeanne is nearing the bus for the trip home. We were at the zoo about four hours, and I can feel it.  Good to be taken home.  No effort, no fighting traffic.  The bus shoots along the bus lane.  It was a good day.

Next week, it'll be something new.  I'm not sure what, yet.  But check it out....   -djf

"Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo." Simon and Garfunkel

I do believe it, I do believe it's true.  S&G

Our Social Committee has once again done themselves proud. We boarded a bus and made the easy journey 'from the west side to the park.' (paraphrasing S&G)

Our day at the zoo was laid back and a success.  The tiger was hiding from Jeanne and I.  Others were more fortunate, I'm told.  I did get to see a Tasmanian Devil. (You'll see it next week) I would have preferred that it hold still for at least a split second, so my camera could focus on it, but at least it didn't move around in a whirlwind like the Loony Toons one does.  

You all are invited along. No need for a hat, sunscreen, or water bottle, and I charge no entrance fee. Just come and look through the lens of my camera.  

Albatrosses are huge!  That one's a statue, but wow.  

The little blue penguins have a huge swim tank and can be seen swimming in it from either above or below.  Unfortunately for us, they were hiding under some foliage rather than swimming and I had a hard time getting a clear picture of them.  

That's it for this week.  Come on back next week for some more of the zoo.   -djf

  

Are you hungry? I think you will be.

It's Thursday night and time for another Thursday Night Market in the carpark underneath K Mart.  The market runs from 5 pm to 11 pm.  I always arrive just before 5 because it gets crazy busy later on and is not as pleasant in my opinion, when you're elbow to elbow with the hordes of hungry people.  And it's harder then to take pictures, as you might imagine.  

So, just scroll through this range of pictures and see if any appeal to you.

The squid in the foreground is raw. You select whether you want the body or tentacles grilled. 

Meat on sticks is very popular. Very tasty, and you can nibble as you look for your next treat. 

I guess the blowtorch speeds things up. 

This is what I finally chose. I bought two of each of these, took them home, and shared them with Jeanne.  The girl selling them gave each a squirt of soy sauce before closing up the takeaway box. 

I didn't stay long but I enjoyed the smells and excitement of another market night.  As I was leaving, a group of about 30 students was arriving. They looked hungry, as students often do and were fanning out among the stalls.  

Yup, good time to leave, I thought as I made my way past them with my dumplings.  

I hope that you have enjoyed my pictures today.  Do you feel like getting a snack now?  -djf