Monkey-ing Around at the Bronx Zoo

As if Saturday's excitement wasn't enough for us, we decided to plan another excursion for Sunday. The fact that Time Warner gave us free admission to the Bronx Zoo had a little something to do with that. So, off we went...

There were many highlights to the day. First on the agenda was the Wild Asia Monorail, which gave us a great view of the Asian animal exhibits. Mace really liked the elephants. We pretended to make elephant noises with our trunks (read: arms) swishing around.

Next up was a walk across the African Savannah where Mason met some African Wild Dogs and had fun playing with the game outside their enclosure.

I think the highlight of the day for me was the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit. For one, it was inside and air conditioned. There was even a brief conservation-inspired movie, which provided a brief bit of relaxation and a nice place to sit. Mason was enamored by the video and sat between Mommy and Daddy watching the film while saying "uh-oh, uh-oh" at totally appropriate times (like when the poachers crossed the screen). When the video finished, the screen went up and the curtains parted and you could see this glass enclosure where the gorillas live. The zoo had two separate troops of gorillas and they provided ample entertainment. I'll post a video of the gorillas later, but for now, we'll entertain you with pictures. The babies were adorable and the silverback was standing face to face with Mason, which was way cool.

Mace did tucker out for a time and napped in the stroller while Mom and Dad stopped for a little refreshment, the tiger exhibit and birds of prey, but rallied for the final exhibit: The Children's Zoo.

He fell in LOVE with the prairie dogs. First, he one as he and Dado popped through the hole inside the exhibit, then he was crouching outside the gate at the foot of the exhibit,was playing with tapping on the glass. We had to practically drag him away from them. Thank goodness the green parakeets next door were noisy and interesting. He quacked at the ducks. He climbed in the turtle shell and just when we thought we were on our way out, the path opened into the petting zoo. Remember how he's obsessed with cows? Well, he got to feed one (see, he's got a little country in him!) He called out "hey, cow" -- imitating Dado -- to the cow to get it to come over and eat from his hand and shouted out e-i-o in reference to Old McDonald. Pretty smart little guy we have here, me thinks (did I mention he made ooo-aaa-eee monkey noises at first sight of the monkeys earlier in the day?).

And, oh, by the way, the cow wasn't the only thing he fed: