This weekend, I paid a visit to Chicagoland’s other zoo: Brookfield Zoo. About 4 times the size of Lincoln Park Zoo, it’s tucked away in the suburb of Brookfield, which is easily accessible, and when I say “easily accessible,” I mean you can get there, but you’re going to sit in traffic, even on a Saturday.
I got pictures, but none that seriously wowed me. I also learned that part of the issue I’ve had since getting my gorgeous new camera is that my SD card is too slow, so I’m not getting the full benefit of the burst. That will be remedied before I go on my trip, which I’ll be talking about later on in the week.
Though it was a lovely day, and the zoo not outrageously crowded, there was just something flatter to me about Brookfield Zoo. Sheds were faded with the paint peeling; the abundant gift shops felt halfhearted and uninspired. The light inside the animal houses was also pretty dim.
You might, if you read regularly, know my concerns about zoos, but I’ll say this: the animals all looked like they were plush versions of themselves, like a menagerie of children’s toys brought to life. Even the rhino seemed like he’d been plucked from the shelf.
Albeit a very large shelf.
Anyway, you’re not here for the words, you want to see some photos, so here we go!
Condors. Huge doesn’t begin to describe them.
This one knew what it was doing, and showed off its wingspan. ENORMOUS.
People actually fed these small monkeys, who were not fenced off from us at all. Don’t feed the animals!
Speaking of huge, this bison was shockingly large. And people are approaching them at Yellowstone?! UHHH…
I mean don’t they look like you could have picked them up at the gift shop?
Why yes, that IS a dead mouse these two American Bald Eagles are about to enjoy.
I think this grizzly is soon to be featured in a shampoo commercial.
Even the camel looked fluffy. Though she wasn’t named Alexander Camelton, like the new baby camel at Lincoln Park.
Please go back to the mouse, eagle.
There were two baby gorillas, but the mom of the little one did not like pictures.
and 
A visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden on a gorgeous Saturday yielded some nice shots, and I got a chance to play with the little point-and-shoot in a natural environment. Though in past visits to the Garden, the birds were generously cooperative, they were less so this time.
As I’m waiting for the miracle of coffee to kick in, I’m sitting here, window open, a slightly damp light breeze coming through. I think it’s going to rain.
The rules of hooky are simple: avoid all tasks on the to-do list. Enjoy day. Repeat as needed.
A Bit to Read 