Earth Day at the Louisville Zoo

It was a big party at the Louisville Zoo today with $1 admission to celebrate Earth Day and the 40th birthday of the Louisville Zoo. I believe it was called Party for the Planet and there were a lot of people there. The Louisville Science Center had a table on the hill near the MetaZoo. I was volunteering and helping show visitors what owls eat by dissecting owl pellets. We found small leg bones, some skulls, pelvic bones, spines, and jaw bones with teeth. St. Joseph's Childrens Home was next to us letting the public know the need for foster homes for 40 or so children in their care. The Red Cross was on the other side of us making the public aware of emergency preparedness.

I arrived before the Zoo opened and there was a crowd waiting to get in. When I left the line seemed 10 times as long and cars were backed up trying to get in and out of the Zoo. Nice sunny day with some wind gusts.



Here is a little owl that only has one wing. It was hurt and brought to the Zoo to be taken care of. The handler was gracious in letting me take its picture. Its natural camouflage is amazing how it looks like tree bark. The tie in with the Louisville Science Center activity worked out as well too.

This picture is of a star attraction at the Zoo, a baby elephant named Scotty. Scotty is now 2 years old and is the cover page article in the May 2009 Louisville magazine.

I heard some loud aircraft noises while at the Zoo and saw this helicopter after I had finished my volunteer shift. This is a United States of America helicopter that looks like one the president uses. I am not sure if a high level official was visiting the area today or not. It flew by as I was trying to take pictures of lemurs so I did not get the best angle. The picture is pretty good with a out of focus branch in the foreground, a steeple of some Zoo building in the middle ground, the helicopter in the background and a backdrop of blue with cloud sky.

A bird with nice golden crown, maybe a crane of some sort.

I found the Louisville Zoo a great place to take pictures. I hope to return soon and take some more photographs.