Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Visiting the Como Park Zoo in Winter

 In last week's travel post, I shared how our spirits were rejuvenated by a visit to the Como Park Conservatory.    But the rejuvenation of our spirits didn't stop with the flowers, but it continued on with the zoo.  The St. Paul, Minnesota  park also has a small zoo right next to the conservatory.

Visiting a zoo in winter is always a fun experience.  The past couple of years I was in Illinois in the winter and I visited both the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo.  Most people don't think of visiting zoos in winter but it can really be a nice experience if you pick a warm winter day.  Some benefits of visiting the zoo in winter is that it is less crowded, admission prices are cheaper or even free, and the animals seem to be more active.

Like the Como Park Conservatory, the Como Park Zoo is free but they do ask for a donation of $3.00 per adult.  Most of the animals are still available to view, and usually you can see them a lot closer than you can in summer because they are in tighter quarters.

Here are some of the highlights of our visit to the Como Park Zoo:  first up, these arctic foxes.  Oh my, aren't they beautiful?  I just wanted to take one home with me so bad.  They had an arctic fox pelt in the educational area that you could touch.  You would not believe how soft his coat is!


These little guys are so sweet!  And they really seemed to enjoy the snow and cold.  Their white coats blend in with the snow so well don't they?



My husband and I probably had the most fun in the primate house.  Oh, these guys had us laughing in stitches!


The apes and monkeys were wide awake and very playful when we were there.  We watched them swinging from tree limb to tree limb.



But this orangutan had us laughing the hardest.  He picked up this piece of cloth and was doing the funniest things with it:  putting it over his head like a scarf and/or wrapping it around himself like a cape.  He was quite the fashionista!



Winter is the best time to see polar bears as they are more active.  In the summer, they like to take it easy and sleep in the shade, but in the winter they are definitely out and about.  Just look at the size of this guys paws!


Even though we just saw tons of buffalo in the wild when we were in South Dakota, I never got this close to one before.


 The rack on these reindeer was astounding!


We saw lots of mountain goats when we were in Zion National Park, but these look like they are more suitable for colder mountain temperatures.


The giraffes had one of the best displays in the zoo because we could get so close to them.  I love giraffes.  I find them such fascinating animals.



 A baby giraffe.  We were told by another zoo guest that they have way too many baby giraffes so they are now separating the males from the females.  Poor guys!  We saw the male looking through the window of the fence at all the ladies.  I hope he wasn't lonely.



While we were at the zoo we saw they were building a new seal exhibit that will be open in the summer of 2020.  How exciting!  I hope it's open when I take the grandkids back!



 

Penguins are always so fun to watch.  How is it that God made a bird that can swim?






This zebra looks sad, but he actually was sound asleep.  It always amazes me how horses sleep standing up.


And finally, the kings of the jungle:  the lion family!

I love the sweet expression on this cougars face, although I always pray I don't see one when I'm hiking!



A snow leopard.  I just love his big, thick tail!



And a sleeping tiger.  Isn't he beautiful?



I hope this post encourages you to visit your local zoo this winter!

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

34 comments:

  1. So very cool. What a nice place.

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  2. Great pictures Amy. I bet the grandbabies will enjoy visiting! The snow foxes look amazing!

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  3. What beautiful animal scenes from the zoo. I am enthusiastic I love zoos!

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  4. OMG They are so cute and monkeys are very cool. I like to see how they take care about animals during winter.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/02/narciso-rodriguez-for-her-eau-de_25.html

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    1. They’re adorable, aren’t they? And it is interesting to see that.

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  5. We really enjoy visiting the zoo in winter; we love that there are so many less people and find that the animals really are more active (as long as it's not a super cold day).

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    1. Yes, I think I enjoy it more too, as long as it’s not too cold.

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  6. There are so many different creatures, how awesome is that! Your photos show them off very well.


    Thanks for linking up at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

    My Corner of the World

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  7. I never thought about visiting the zoo in the winter. But I can see how it's a totally different experience! Was it less crowded?
    Xoxo
    Jodie

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    1. It was less crowded but at the same time I thought it was crowded. It was a rare beautiful weather weekend and it was also Valentines Day weekend so that might have had something to do with it. Also, less exhibits are open in winter so visitors are more condensed in certain areas.

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  8. Visiting a zoo in winter seems like a fun experience! Love the photos especially the giraffes.

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  9. We just got a polar bear exhibit at the STL zoo a few years ago and now you have me thinking I need to visit sometime this winter still with the kids. Those arctic foxes are just GORGEOUS in that white snow!!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. Wow! I'm surprised a big city like STL would not have had a polar bear exhibit already. Yes, you definitely need to go.

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  10. I love this type of place especially when I'm on holiday: D

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  11. Las fotos son preciosas! 👌👌👌 Feliz fin de semana! 🧡🧡🧡

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  12. Oh those arctic foxes are so snuggly. And they are so well camouflaged against the snow. But the polar bear not so much!!

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  13. You got up so close with the animals and got some great photos! Looks like a really fun day out :)

    Hope that you are having a great weekend :) We spent the day with my mum yesterday shopping the sales for the leap day (and getting some great toy bargains we've put away for the kids birthdays!)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Yes we did! I think it's because in winter they have to keep the animals in more confined spaces. Bad for them, but good for us who want to see them.

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  14. I don't think we have ever visited the zoo in the daytime in the winter. Those artic foxes are so pretty!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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    1. Oh, you really need to Jill! We visited both the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo in winter and had a great time. I believe those zoos are near to where you live.

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  15. Lovely zoo.
    Your pics are awesome,
    the arctic fox looks so fine...love the shot ♥

    Ann
    https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

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  16. Se ve todo genial! Muy bonitas las fotos! Que tengas feliz noche! 💗💗💗

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  17. When I taught elementary school going to the school was a traditional field trip. The kids loved it. I was usually a nervous wreck that I would lose one of my little ones along the way even with parents along to help. - Margy

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