FIVE ON FRIDAY {4.1.16}

 all photos taken 3.23.16 @ The Cincinnati Zoo

JPE & I flew back to visit some of the Elfers Family over Spring Break! On a day that was to reach the mid-70's**, we met Elizabeth & her three kids... Zachary, Charley & Annie. The two big guys, JPE & Greg are cousins.

First stop... the Reptile House. Although the kids were interested in what was inside, I learned this building was the oldest existing zoo building in America. It was built in 1875 & used to house the monkeys & apes. On the bottom right is a "pancake tortoise" which has a flat, flexible shell that allows it to squeeze into small crevices & hide from its predators. 

{Sorry for the somewhat blurry pics - it was difficult to take pictures through the wire & glass enclosures}

The zoo staff had left Easter baskets filled with carrots, lettuces, & vegies. Peek-A-Boo! Can you see the chimp hiding in the bottom right hand pic? JPE measured his hands (& feet) against the model of the chimps. These chimps are B.I.G.!!

Simply beautiful, serene & peaceful! These lovely creatures didn't seem to care if we were taking pictures of them or not.

This picture of Charley says it ALL! Going to the ZOO is EXCITING!

If you think the Cincinnati Zoo was all critters & scary stuff, here is evidence you can see other stuff. I haven't been to a zoo in at least 25 years, so this was an exciting start to our vacation.

** The weather was actually overcast, chilly, perhaps mid-60's... but this fair-weather blogger was pleased-as-punch for the lack of humidity that usually arrives when I visit Cincinnati!!

posting with AMY for FIVE ON FRIDAY