Toledo Zoo, October 30, cousins

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I was interested in the shape of this tree. My better half thought to check the info about it -- this is a Scotch pine................................ A Scotch pine is our preferred Christmas tree. Who knew they could get to be this size? I wonder how old this one is.....





The Toledo Zoo has eight gorillas, which can all be out in their big grassy area at once.

This is the big kahuna. Behind plexi with lots of scratches.





Soaking up some rays.





Don't you love her feet?





Hanging out in the sun with your BFF -- what could be better than that.





Please ignore glare, scratches, and dried-up spit on the plexi.

Thinking of reading expressions -- this woman surely has "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen" written all over her.

Anyone who has really looked into the eyes of a gorilla, without bigotry, knows that there is a sentient individual on the other side of the plexi.......






No wonder they call them "silverbacks".........





Love the shadows.







The big guy ran by and THUMPED the plexi right near us, several times. A 6'+ human can't help but appear to be a possible threat, I guess.

He is keeping a close watch over all the goings-on in and near his territory, and he takes action to keep things on the up-and-up.





Here's another cousin.

The inside spaces all have skylights, and all have areas where the inhabitants can be over the spectators if they choose. These shots were taken basically straight up.





Isn't it interesting the different ways males display? From peacock tails, to a gorilla's tall head and sticky-up hair, to these incredible face extensions, to fancy cars with loud music.....





I used to be sad when I saw the cousins, bored, locked up.

Now, realizing the much worse way they are often treated in their homelands ("Can you say 'massacre,' boys and girls? I thought you could.") -- I think there are lots of worse things than boredom.

Alas.

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