Water, above and below

If you could, would you live under water?

Awesome Friendly Turtle

I should point out that I identify this turtle as a "Box Turtle" in the video. I'm pretty sure that it isn't. Its just that i was so excited to be having lunch with such a big turtle I got confused. What si this, like a Galapagos turtle?

WTF Part III

This phallic little fellow resides in an aquarium. I was so overwhelmed by his pretty coat that I forgot to check the name tag posted next to his home. I'm dying to find out what kind of lizard this really is, if it is, indeed, real. Anybody got a guess?

Incredible Techno-Color Birds

These birds look like sweet sweet candy. Or maybe like someone tie dyed them. Are they hippies?

Austin Zoo Deer

This one was a cutey. Have a great Friday Night! And listen to NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday if you want to hear about the Texas Death Penalty!`

Lamb Chop's Ugly Cousin

A lamb should be judged by its character, not just its looks. I'm back in Austin from Chicago so here is a picture of a really "unique" looking lamb from the Austin Zoo. Traditionally, petting zoos feature super cute animals for the children to interact with, the Austin Zoo (or "Auz" as I like to call it) takes a more expansive approach. Many of the children fled from the twisted visage of this unfortunate lamb-soul. But I fed it, careful not to cut myself on its razor sharp horns, to ensure that it would remain as a reminder that there is room for all kinds in the world of lambs.

Ring Tail Lemur

One thing that was especially awesome about the Austin Zoo was that many of the Animals there were rescued from bad situations or even confiscated in drug seizures. This lemur didn't have an explanatory plaque to describe how he came tot eh Zoo, but I can only assume he was involved in some SERIOUS CRIME. I don't think he was a bad guy, just that he likes to live life on his own terms. I figure he was a pretty genius con-artist, but now he's in the big house... for the time being.

Caged Heat!

If I want to offer some really compelling Bengal Tiger photos I need to find a way to get to the other side of that flimsy chain link fence. Anybody have a good tiger costume?

The Noble Peacock

As a teenager my family spent a year in Oaxaca, Mexico. We rented the country home of a federal judge. The place was lavish beyond my imagination, with a mango orchard, a fish pool and also these things: peacocks. This particular bird is from the Austin Zoo but he reminded me of the shrill, shrieking peacocks of Mexico with his beautiful plumage and insufferable screams. I heard once that Flannery O'Conner grew up on a peacock farm. Perhaps this is why both she and I are dark, creative geniuses.

Hot or Not?

I'm having some trouble deciding whether this pot bellied pig is cute like a puppy dog, or frightening. I'm certainly down with his hair style. He's rocking kind of a mad max Rock & Roll kind of do.

I Know Why...

I have read research that argues for the importance of smiling even if you don't feel happy. The logic is that the very act of smiling will improve your mood. All respect to Maya Angelou but I believe this little one must be the happiest (caged) bird in the world.

Hard Time

I've gotta be straight with you. Some of the monkeys at the zoo looked a little depressed. This dude was a "Patas Monkey." The sign said they could be aggressive, but he just looked bummed-out. He had a little stuffed animal that he always carried with him.

Creature Comforts Goes VIDEO!

Wow! It sure was awesome seeing Ron at the Austin Zoo this weekend! As you can tell I'm experimenting with a new format which includes some video webcasts. Do drop a line and let me know what you think. I'm thinking the video lets me show better how some animals move, (or in some cases, don't move). In other news, I've decided I might not offer a single species series again for a while. I felt a little O.D.ed on spiders by the end of last week. Fortunately, my excursion to the zoo allowed me to make tons of new friends and stock up on many more ANIMAL PICS! So, how do we look on film?