Hippity Hoppity

The exhibit of tree frogs in the aquarium at Sea World was a stunner.  At first, I barely noticed the cleverly camoflauged amphibians.  These frisky, frolicking frogs blended into their surroundings so well, that the first time one moved, I jumped a little bit.  Not to mention that their perfectly poised, paused positions made them appear plastic.  They didn't seem like they could possibly be real.  From my perspective, this was kind of nice.  Their lack of movement made them significantly easier to photograph- I didn't have to worry about anticipating their movements.  So that was pleasant.  

However, I did happen to get the frog in the foreground in mid-jump.  Which I find fun.

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Coy

Another adorable sea lion.  So cute.  This one looks coy- like it's flirting with the camera.  Eyes looking down, head leaning to the side... who wants to take me out for some fresh fish?


San Antonio, Texas, USA

Flipper

Whereas the big orca whale at Sea World really is considered to be Shamu, none of the dolphins are known as Flipper... except for in my imagination.  Every one of them is called Flipper there.  It's a happy land full of jumping dolphins... Okay, not really, but that would be a pretty happy imagination, wouldn't it?

Moving on.  This is a dolphin from the dolphin tank at Sea World.  You could actually pay to feed the dolphins( $6), but Danny and I did not (we're poor because we work in theatre).  The people who weren't cheapskates and did feed the dolphins looked like they were having a marvelous time.  Some of the dolphins were too rad for the people with food, however, and entertained us starving artists (and anyone else who was really a cheapskate, not poor).  This one played with a bucket.  Who knew a bucket could be so cool?

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Curious and Clever

I've never really thought that much about sea lions.  Most people probably haven't- I just realized how ridiculous that first statement sounds.  Sea lions are one of those animals that I feel most people are basically familiar with.  They know what they look like (not a lion) and that, well, they kive in the sea.  Cool.  Sea lions.  I have seen them before, at zoos and stuff, but I was never particularly fascinated by them.  They were playful, but not as little and cuddly as the otters, or as vocal as the dolphins, so they slid into the back of my mind as just another animal.  

But... at Sea World... I was just fascinated.  Danny actually had to pull me away at one point, because if I stayed and just watched them, jaw-on-floor, any longer, we wouldn't get to see everything we wanted to see before the park closed.  These sea lions were so.  cute.  Some were massive, like a giant male with a brand in his back, probably from another zoo, seeing as he was the only one.  Then there were babies too!  I was just impressed in every possible way.  They were friendly as well!  They came right up to the edge of the pool as we walked up, and were making eyes at us.  

This one, in particular seemed to like me, he followed me as I walked around the tank, looking up at me with his big brown eyes.  He had that appearance of being very wise, knowing, intelligent.  Yet though he had intelligence, still optimistic, and wanting to be my friend.  I'm in love (sorry Danny).

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Shamu

I turned 21 a little over a week ago.  For my birthday, Danny took me to SeaWorld in San Antonio.  This was an experience unlike any I had ever had before.  Though most of the eager viewers surrounding me at Believe, the Shamu killer whale show, were about a quarter of my age, I was beaming with excitement

And boy, was it merited.  The killer whales/ orcas were incredible!  They were doing flips, beaching themselves on the side and smiling at the audience.  I was floored.  Unfortunately, some of them had a little bit of a floppy fin, meaning that they were depressed.  In this photograph, however, you can't tell.  This guy looks like he's having a whale of a time.  Get it?  A whale... uh, yeah...

San Antonio, Texas, USA

Black Squirrel

Squirrels generally tend to be brown, grey, or a reddish kind of brown color.  In New York City, most of them are some sort of shade of grey.  However, in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City, there are black squirrels.  Why?  I don't know.  Why are they only there?  I have absolutely no clue. I am certain, though, that they are pretty adorable.  They are a lot smaller than some of the other squirrels, and a tad bit more skittish.  What I mean by that, is that they are less likely to want to make friends with you by jumping on you and stealing your food.  So, when this one moved close enough to me for this shot, I was pretty thrilled.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Why, Thank You!

An Unusually Classy Squirrel in Tavistock Square

London, England, UK

Like this?  This kind gentleman squirrel recommended that if so, this be your only favourite.  He wanted no other links attached.  Though polite, he's rather narcissistic like that.

Lion

Lion Statue Outside of St. Mark's Church

East Village, New York City, USA

Like this?  Then you will probably like We See the Truth and Better than Candles.

Really love this?  Then you can buy a copy of it here.