Saturday January 21, 2012 - Breakfast with the Big Cats!

My friend Lee bought us tickets to the Zoo's event Breakfast with the Big Cats.  Thank you!  ... Even though there was probably nothing that would be new to us, there were several reasons we wanted to be there, foremost for our Big Cat friends!  We also wanted to support our Keeper friends, and see how events in the Lion House are.   

The event was fun, all the Cats were inside at the same time, except Miss Shastyuh who decided she would rather nap in the yard.  I think she would have liked it, but she didn't know there would be treats!  The Cats were all given whole Chickens and Pinatas :)  This was part of their Enrichment (the event also included a training demonstration).  I think this may have been the first time they have gotten Chickens that still had the head, necks and feet.  Always a bit too graphic for me to see :(  but I've learned to watch them eat things that I would also befriend, Chickens, Rabbits, and Sheep.  The Pinatas were cute, I'm glad they got some toys, but I have to admit that when I heard about this event I wished I was still doing Enrichment toys as I imagined Paper Mache' Waffles and Berries!  It would have been in theme and that would have rocked!  But the Cats enjoyed themselves no matter!  A toy is a toy and a treat is a treat :)

The Keepers did a great job in presentation.  Kudos!  The Operations and Catering Staff did a good job in organization and with the seating arrangement :)   Thank You!  ... The only thing I'd like to have seen  different was the food set-up.  The line was too long and would have been better managed if there were two serving stations.  So, I grabbed all five pieces of French Toast in one round OINK!  but Yum!  

Tunya spots his Chicken and Soccer Ball Pinata!
see the video here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRQTwIqHP8I

Amanzi already enjoying her colorful Horse Pinata!

Padang stops to say Hi, even thought

she is mid-chomp with her Chicken!

Sukari is done with her Football Pinata!
see the video here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtbPpv7T_1k

Jahari watching the peoples :)

Leanne checking out her Rainbow Pinata!

And then having a go at trying to bring it down!

see the video here 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2djGYg1xtnM

My event topper!

All Big Cats on a Waffle :)

Monday January 2, 2012 - Happy Birthday Grizzly Girls!

Today we visit in honor of the Grizzly Girls Birthday!  The sisters turned 9 years old yesterday!  They stayed put the whole visit, lounging in front of their waterfall, while we sang them alittle greeting :)

Happy Birthday Kiona and Kachina!

Happy Birthday to you!

They were very impressed lol!

My fascinating topper for the event!

Captured a unique pose by Sureshot

Walter (Maguari Stork) being bashful

or plotting his next move ;)

Shastyuh relaxing by the pool!  

So good to see her at ease.

Tallulah in her finest

Minnie and Cobby after an intense conversation

This interaction was interesting.  Cobby and Minnie have been hanging out alot together lately, but on this day they both went up to the level above where Tallulah was and after a bit Tallulah started vocalizing at them from below, then moving to the upper level as well and watching them from the opposite corner.  See the video of what happened next!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77KFdmd_nD0

Hats That Celebrate!

The San Francisco Zoo Management may have taken away my Membership, accusing me (and my friend) of untrue actions, spread those untruths in a way that some Zoo staffers treat us like we are public enemy number one, and try to make us feel like we aren't welcome there, BUT we remain the same people we have always been.  We care about the Animals who call the Zoo home and regardless of the prior mentioned, we will always be there to visit them.  One keeper told me I was "Goober's enrichment."   THAT was one of the greatest things anyone has ever said to me.


While watching the Royal Wedding of Prince William, I was taken by the sensation surrounding the topper that is, the Fascinator!   In case you aren't hip to it, the Fascinator is a small head piece that seems to be a must at social events.   Being crafty, I said to myself, "I want to make one!"  This was April, I thought it might be for next years annual Deyoung Museum event Bouquets to Art, where floral artists arrange displays inspired by certain art pieces on display at the museum.   That quickly changed when I realized my Zoo friend Ming Wah, the Snow Leopard was having her birthday in a few weeks.   

From then on making a Fascinator that reflected honoring my Zoo friends in some way, became a weekly event.   It has been great fun, thinking up themes and designs and creating mini art pieces to wear on my visits.  I think its festive and I feel good that I'm doing something to celebrate these precious Animals.


This will be an ongoing post updated with each week with a photo of Fascinating Me!   

For Ming Wah's Birthday, I celebrated both Snow Leopards, Ming and Rigel!

Hat for the Cause THAT is Project Get Wishbone Grass!

In celebration of Shastyuh (new Siberian Tiger) being out of quarantine!

Celebrating June Birthdays, Sukari (Lion), Orkney (Grey Seal), and Goldfish (Fishing Cat)! 

Celebrating  Amanzi and Sukari!  I had recently discovered via my own research they were Sisters!

Celebrating Mishaki (Black Rhino), Leanne (Sumatran Tiger) and Cobbby (Chimpanzee) Birthdays!

In celebration of July Birthdays of Jonesy (Gorilla) and Shastyuh (Siberian Tiger)!

Celebrating my fellow Leo's!  Pokemon (Blackbuck), Shastyuh (Siberian Tiger), Goober (Bairds Tapir),
Jonesy (Gorilla) and Busby (Giant Eland)!

For my Goob's Birthday!  Goober's bday is the day after mine!

Celebrating Gorilla Birthdays, Zura and Nneka!

In celebration of our Seal friends,  Silent Knight, Orkney, and Henry!

Still feeling the theme of the Sea a week later :)

First of my Halloween themed toppers :)

If we had Bats I'd be celebrating them, but I'm just plain celebrating!

For Wishbones's (Andean Bear) Birthday!  

Still working the Halloween theme!  

A little Fall festiveness :)

For Padang's (Sumatran Tiger) Birthday!

For Pike's (Polar Bear) Birthday!

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Barnyard Pilgrims,
Nataani (Sheep), Seamus (Goat), and Wakoda (Sheep)!

 For Ulu's (Polar Bear) Birthday!