Camera Critters #269

My favorite polar bear 

All photos taken at the San Francisco zoo

Grizzly searching for food.

Koala Sleeping

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Wild Bird Wednesday 46

East African Crowned Crane

Scarlet Ibis

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Camera Critters #268

Chilean Flamingo

All Photos Taken At The San Francisco Zoo

Black Crowned Heron

Green Winged Macaw

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Thursday Two Questions Meme #139

Photo taken at the San Francisco Zoo

1.  What are these two looking at?

2.  How would you caption this photo?

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Today's Flowers #247

Paeonia Lactiflora (Bowl of Beauty) Native to Japan

All photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Rhododendron Occidentale (Western Azalea) Native to California.

Protea Cynaroides (King Protea) the official flower of South Africa.

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Thursday Two Questions Meme #138

Photos taken at the San Francisco zoo

I went to the zoo to visit my son, Wilbur.  I was walking around when I came across a group of children around 6 or 7 years old hovering over something on the ground.  They each had their phones and tablets out taking photos so of course I had to go inspect and see what was happening.

To my surprise, I found two bumblebees either having a "private moment" or fighting and rolling around on the ground stuck together.  It was something I had never seen before with bumblebees, so of course, I had to take some shots.  It was interesting and a great photo opportunity.  Though even more interesting is the fact that 6 to 7 year olds had Iphones and tablets.

In any case, my two questions this week are:

1.  What is the most unusual critter you have ever photographed?

2.  Do you think these two bees were fighting or having a great ole time? :)

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Wild Bird Wednesday #44

Black Crowned Heron taken at the San Francisco zoo.

This medium sized heron is found all over the world and I was lucky enough to come across him sitting on a door fence post by the pelican exhibit at the San Francisco zoo.  

These birds basically perch near water and wait to find their prey which is usually crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects.

These beautiful birds have nocturnal habits and are only seen early morning or in the evening but I saw him in the middle of the day just hanging out and enjoying the attention from visitors.  I am beginning to believe that the wildlife in San Francisco love posing for photographers :)

He is a real beauty and I hope to see him again soon.

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Ruby Tuesday 2

Leucospermum Tottum (Protea) taken at the San Francisco Zoo

Native to South Africa

Rhododendron taken at the San Francisco Botanical Garden

Fuchsia taken at the San Francisco Botanical Garden

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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Camera Critters #266

Photo courtesy of Gary and Trish

Hi everyone.  My name is McKinley, my friends and admirers, and there are many, call me Mac.

I am writing for Camera Critters today because Poetic Shutterbug was too lazy.  She is working hard at her job and needs some beauty rest.  Lord knows, alot of beauty rest.

I have been a busy guy these days.  I went to my first concert at Cafe Divine in North Beach this past weekend to see my friends Sony and Jerry Holland perform.  My favorite song that they sing is On A San Francisco High.  I like it because I live here in San Francisco and it's a very cool song about my hometown.  I think I am becoming a party animal and it's fun :)

I also like watching the San Francisco Giants play baseball.  I would love to run around that field and chase everyone.  Sergio Romo is my favorite player because he's a cool dude like me and always has his picture taken, like me.  Poetic Shutterbug says she likes the Giants too but she only likes the victory parades and the food at the park so I'm a better fan.  My friend Sony is going to sing the National Anthem at Dodger stadium in June so I might have to become a Dodger fan too.

My favorite hobbies are chewing, jumping and fetching.  I really haven't changed much since the last time I wrote about me, which you can read by clicking here, other than I am a little bigger and even more handsome.  Those who shall remain nameless have said I am in my terrible twos.  I don't know what that means but I guess it's okay because everyone loves me and that's all that matters.

Make sure to click the widget below to go visit all the other cool critter celebrities like me.

xoxo
Mac



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Thursday Two Questions Meme #137

1.  Where was this photo taken?

2.  Who do these legs and webbed feet belong to?

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Camera Critters #265 and Wild Bird Wednesday Meet Wilbur The Barn Owl

Photos Taken At The San Francisco Zoo

Wilbur the Barn Owl Interesting Facts

Meet My New Son Wilbur the Barn Owl

My friend, Paula and I went to the zoo yesterday on residents free day so that I could introduce her to Wilbur.  Unfortunately he was not there but was in the SF Zoo Mobile entertaining school children around San Francisco.

I went back today, Thursday in order to buy a membership to the zoo so that I could visit him whenever I want.  Every time I have seen him, he is always sleeping in his barn but today I was thrilled to see him outside playing, taking a bath and hanging out for his fans - and he has many.

I found out a few new facts about him.  He is a picky eater and will only eat black mice.  He is also bothered by the beeping sounds that the zoo trucks make when they are backing up.  He is a homebody and loves his little blue barn, as do I.

It was such a treat for me to see him so animated today.  He also will respond to his name if you call him while he is asleep.  Isn't he just the cutest? :)

Getting ready to take a bath :)

Primping his feathers after his bath.

Resting in his little barn.

Some facts about Wilbur

His adoption certificate.

The History Of Wilbur's Adoption

Source: Photo taken of Wilbur the barn owl at the San Francisco Zoo

This hub is a personal story of adoption. Like most zoos around the country, the San Francisco zoo has adoption packages for individuals who want to contribute to the care and well being of their favorite animals at the zoo. The animals are put up for adoption as a species. So, in other words, if you wanted to adopt a tiger for example, your contribution would go towards the tigers as a whole.

Now I have been going to the zoo for over five decades. Yes, I'm giving away my age with that statement but I love our zoo and still go there on a regular basis. The San Francisco Zoo has gone through many changes and many a media story over the past few years but for me, it brings me peace and joy each time I visit. I love all animals and the zoo brings me closer to their world.

Source: Photo taken of Wilbur the barn owl at the San Francisco Zoo

A little about Wilbur.

This is Wilbur the barn owl. He was born in 2006 and contracted West Nile Virus and as a result has neurological damage. Due to this damage he cannot be released into the wild. The zoo keeps him in the Koret Animal Resource Center where they take special care to make sure he has everything he needs. He has his own little blue barn in which he sleeps and rests. Since the zoo is only open during the day, I have only seen him while he is asleep.

Barn owls in general have excellent hearing and as a result do not need their eyes to hunt at night. These owls usually feed on rodents and are active after dusk especially while in wooded areas. They can be anywhere from 8 to almost 20 inches in length and have a wingspan up to over 40 inches. They are nocturnal.

Source: Photo of Wilbur the barn owl taken at the San Francisco Zoo.

My new son, Wilbur the barn owl.

As i previously mentioned, the SF zoo offers adoptions for an entire species. When I first saw Wilbur in 2010 and read his story, he had my heart. I just fell in love with this little guy. I visit and talk to him each time I go to the zoo.

I decided that I wanted to adopt him. I did not necessarily want to adopt the entire species of owls but only Wilbur so that I could contribute to his care. I contacted the zoo adoption dept. last week and asked if I could adopt him. Long story short, the zoo provided a special adoption package for me so that I can now call Wilbur my adoptive son :)

I just received the news a little while ago and completed the transaction and paperwork. I am ecstatic to say the least. I want to thank the San Francisco Zoo for allowing me to become Wilbur's Mom
.

I am participating in Bird D' Pot

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