Back to the zoo

Luke had the day off of work yesterday, and we had a very fun and satisfying trip to the National Zoo. The weather was perfect, we got there early before the crowds (and schoolchildren) hit, and we got to see the baby gorilla for the first time!

Three-month-old Kibibi (lying on her back in the straw in the foreground; click the picture above for a larger image) was snuggled in her mama's arms, but this was the first time we got a clear view of her face and little pink fingers. She is still very tiny!

Isaac hung out on Luke's back all morning and did great, despite missing his morning nap.

Amelia and Mom looking down on the seals

All of the pandas were outside and very active when we were there. This one was munching away on his bamboo breakfast.

Amelia loved watching the otter run and run and run and then dive into the water right in front of us. (Also, note Amelia's blatant disregard for authority already!)

We are so lucky to live a 25-minute car trip away from a FREE zoo. When I was growing up, a trip to the zoo was a rare, all-day event bookended by an hour-and-a-half ride in the car. Although the National Zoo is not the fanciest zoo (and doesn't quite have the space for all the "natural habitats" of bigger zoos), I love that we can zip over there for a quick morning visit and not feel like we have to cram everything in. Add in the fun and functionality of the cheetah scale (shout out to Kim, Beth, and Mandie!) and the rear-end-sculpting power of the hills, and I realize that I have really come to love the zoo during my 8+ years living in the DC area.