AFRICA ROCKS AT THE ZOO

Africa Rocks spotlights the animal and plant diversity on the African continent and is the newest experience at the zoo.  The area is divided into several geographical sections.

Colorful drought resistant flowering ground cover plant in Africa Rocks

Closer look

 

We saw a Bateleur Eagle at the top of the Africa Rocks canyon.

The Hyraxes live in rock formations.  Their footpads act like suction cups to help get a grip.  They are related to the elephant!

Hamadryas Baboon

The baboon exhibit has the largest area with a good part of the canyon forming the Ethiopian Highlands section.  The Hamadryas Baboons have a large group that stays together and spends the day foraging. 

The Nubian Ibex are known for their impressive horns and are members of the goat family.  

Ring-tailed lemur

   Several species of lemurs are in the Madagascar forest section.  

West African Crocodiles are found in West African forests. How to tell a crocodile from an Alligator?  Crocodiles have a V shaped snout and alligators have a U shped snout.

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      The Acacia woodland is a haven for many animal species. Monkeys use the trees and scamper on the ground, birds perch and nest among the branch canopies and big cats lounge in the shade.

      A large aviary is part of the Acacia woodland.  Some of the featured birds include bee-eaters and the black-headed weaver.  The weaver builds  a hanging nest that it hovers around to attract a female.

Black Headed Weaver

     The Fischer’s Lovebirds have green backs with orange heads and a flaming red beak.

This colorful bird caught our attention

  An African Pygmy Goose is nestled in a large bowl.

A leopard is resting in the Acacia woodland of the African savanna

Cape Fynbos is located on the South Africa coast where the African Penguins live.  In this enclosure at the bottom of the canyon they enjoy a large pool and a rocky beach.  

CARSLBAD FLOWER FIELDS

       

Every year Southern California welcomes in the spring season with a very special attraction - The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch one of the most unique attractions in Southern California and an annual rite of passage into spring; drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually. The Flower Fields® is a 50-acre dazzling rainbow of beautiful ranunculus flowers set on a hillside that overlooks the striking Carlsbad, California coastline.

         A leisurely stroll along the pathways of The Flower Fields from March 1st through Mother’s Day provides one with the opportunity to experience colorful bands of ranunculus flowers up close, and to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.  There are also  various themed gardens. weather. Picnic tables are provided on site.

         A group in our P.E.O.  Chapter visited here in April 2018

Riding the truck wagon to view the flowers

NEW ORLEANS MEMORIES

Our tour of New Orleans included a stop at the Sydney and Walda Bestow Sculpture Garden that had many interesting sculptures including ones by Henry Moore and George Segal.

Sculpture by Henry Moore





New Orleans is known for above ground cemeteries.  

                         The Garden district is one of the loveliest areas with grand houses.                                                

Another highlight was the WWII museum that tells the story of the American experience in the war. 

This part of the WWII museum shows some of the involvement in Europe

We visited Mardi Gras World where one can see floats and decorations that have been used for past parades and watch work being done for future floats.

The Louisiana State museum had displays of costumes worn at Mardi Gras balls.

We had brunch at the Court of the Two Sisters in the French Quarter and enjoyed listening  to jazz music while sampling local cuisine such as gumbo, turtle soup and bananas foster from the buffet.

We had the opportunity to go to a cooking school to watch the preparation of creole dishes like gumbo, shrimp estouffee, bananas foster and pralines.

Preparing bananas foster

Jackson Square is in the heart of the French Quarter.  It is easy to stroll through the district to admire the architecture and listen to street musicians

This building has a good example of the wrought iron railing seen on many balconies.







Note the Mardi Gras beads on the left balcony

This jazz group was playing in front of the Louisiana State Museum.

Jackson Statue in front of the St. Louis Cathedral,  the oldest cathedral in the U.S.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRIP MEMORIES

Paul and I enjoyed a river trip on the Mississippi River on the American Duchess.  The itinerary began in  Memphis with visits to the National Civil Rights Museum, adjacent to where Martin Luther King was assassinated  and  the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum before boarding  the paddlewheel river boat American Duchess.

A mural at the Civil Rights Museum

A mixer used with Elvis Presley music

 A stop was made at Vicksburg National Military Park that preserves the site of the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg in 1863.  The 47 day siege ended with the surrender of the city.  Over 1000 historic markers and monuments are scattered over the battleground.

Markers describe the battle in this area

The Illinois state memorial is modeled after the Parthenon

Longwood Plantation in Natchez is  known for its octagonal plan  that  was never finished.

           Stanton Hall is an Antebellum Classical Revival mansion in Natchez.

Tea garden area behind Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall entry

Paul is making friends with a horse trained at Angola Prison

A museum exhibit at Angola Prison about the on site rodeo

Angola prison in Louisiana is the largest maximum security prison in the U.S. with over 6,000 prisoners. It is self sufficient with a dairy, ranch, repair shops and cash crops.

It has vocational and education classes.  It also features a rodeo in April and every Sunday in October in a 10,000 person stadium and included is an  Arts and Crafts festival with items made by the prisoners.

  Nottoway Plantation in White Castle is a Greek Revival and Italianate-styled mansion with 64  rooms built in  1859.

Nottoway Plantation

The Ballroom at Nottoway

The elegant dining room      

Sitting room at Nottoway

Paul and I in the show room on the boat.

       After Nottoway plantation the next day's boat stop was New Orleans, our final destination. This paddle wheel boat looks similar to the American Duchess that we were on.