Saturday, January 15, 2011

African Forest



The Houston Zoo opened the new African Forest to the public in December.
It is 6.5 acres of fun!


Kudu In the African Forest

The Greater Kudu is an African antelope and he shares his space with 
three young white rhino.
This kudu is quite handsome with his stripes and curled horns.
Love the tongue and it was one of those surprises I discovered when I got home and looked at the photos.

African Forest Mosaic

The white rhinos are young... one male and two females.
They were born in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
They were carefully selected for temperament and overall health
and prepared for their 54 hour flight (KLM) to Houston
and their new home at the Houston Zoo.
They seem to love their new home -- especially the mud wallow.

Mosaic of the African Forest

The Masai giraffe herd has a new home and larger area to roam
complete with an area where visitors to the zoo can feed them - supervised of course.
Masai giraffe are the most numerous of the nine giraffe subspecies, but only 90 are exhibited in North American zoos.

I hope you enjoyed this brief visit to the Houston Zoo and the new African Forest.

Thank you to Misty for being our Camera Critters hostess
and to
Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Wishing you well.


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37 comments:

  1. eileeninmdJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    What a wonderful exhibit for the african wildlife. Your photos are great.

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  2. The Bodhi ChickletJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    When I get to Houston I'm going to need a week AT LEAST at that zoo. On my list for the perfect city to live in is an amazing zoo. Thanks for sharing, once again.

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  3. Hootin AnniJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    I read that in our local newspaper. Next time we're in Houston, I must go check it out. I love zoos. It's about a 3 hour drive from our house, so...I'll wait until AFTER the stormy wintry days until late Spring.


    American Coots

    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/coot-by-any-other-name.html

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  4. PondsideJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Great shots!
    We hope to visit the wild animal part at the San Diego zoo soon.

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  5. Pat - ArkansasJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Great photo-mosaics, Snap. Love the animals.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    What a fabulous exhibit and the animals looks so beautiful and well card for. xox Corrine

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  7. Phil SladeJanuary 15, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Hi Snap, and thanks for visiting my blog again. You just reminded me to visit my local zoo that has so many photo opportunities. Great collages.

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  8. EG CameraGirlJanuary 15, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I like zoos that give animals enough space as this one appears to do. Very nice mosaics!

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  9. UnknownJanuary 15, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Wonderful job of sharing the new exhibit. I live near Dallas and now have extra reason to head down to Houston! Excellent mixing of both your images and your words. Thanks for sharing! I'm now going to follow your blog!

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  10. WildflowerhouseJanuary 15, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Wonderful!!!! I love giraffes. I bet they love their new home. I call them gentle giants.

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  11. JaneJanuary 15, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Great selection of animals here, lovely shots:)

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  12. BarbJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Wish I had that giraffe's eye lashes! This will be on my list of places to see if I visit Houston again.

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  13. Wanda LeeJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Hello there Snap!


    ~ At long last I am on the mend with regard to my heath and also my extreme fatigue from being so busy in December and I am now able to come by and visit people once again!..,

    I love all of the animal pictures in this post.., Fabulous!


    ~ I also enjoyed last week's Tuesday Tea post;
    What a fabulous post; so much fun brousing thru those catalogues! ~ I especially love the polka dots and those adorable doggie mugs!


    Especially thanks so much Snap for joining us in our little corner of, 'Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland', 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday' and also, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'!

    I am always so cheered and encouraged when yous partake!



    Have a marvelous week!

    Cheers, blessings and hugs from Wanda Lee
    http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
    and also
    http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

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  14. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Somehow I just never outgrow the excitement of visiting a zoo. It has been a couple of years and your photos reminded me just how much fun it is. Great mosaics!

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  15. DianneJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    beautiful photos
    I especially like the giraffe's face, they look so kind

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  16. Betsy Banks AdamsJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Hi Snap, The Houston Zoo just keeps getting better and better. I love the new African Forest... AWESOME.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  17. RajeshJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Wonderful place. They all look great.

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Fabulous shots. That kudu is a magnificent animal!

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  19. AnyaJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    Fantastic post
    I love animals so much
    and wild animals are very cool :-)

    Enjoy your sunday

    ((hugs))

    Kareltje =^.^= Betsie =^.^=

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  20. TracyJanuary 16, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Snap,
    What lovely photos...I love the giraffe! For some reason, they always make me smile as I see them for their whimsical antics.They are just fun...
    thanks for a lovely blog...

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  21. Rhonda RooJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Such adventures i go on with you Ms Snap! Your pictures are awesome-it's like you say, hey, Mr. Antelope, do you mind posing for a nice opening shot? And he says why, is that snap? of course, it would be an honor!

    That's how it goes in my head anyway ;)

    I can't remember if i thanked you for the offer of the postcard of the boy on the rocky horse at Christmas -shame on Roo!

    your place is such a delight..there's tea, and humor and beauty and shopping :) and peace and compassion.

    Love to you on this day! xoxox roo

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  22. Iowa Gardening WomanJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Looks like a wonderful new addition to the zoo.

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  23. A Garden of ThreadsJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    I have been to the zoo in years, great photos. I like the giraffes. Enjoy your week.

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  24. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    What a wonderful addition to the Houston Zoo! It is nice that animals can be taken care of and enjoyed in beautiful facilities such as this. Happy Mosaic Monday Snap!

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  25. {oc cottage}January 16, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Oh my gosh! I haven't been to a zoo in ages...it's always so amazing!

    m ^..^

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  26. MaggieJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    What a great place to be able to visit, giraffes have such sweet faces. I really enjoyed looking at your great mosaics.

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  27. Custom ComfortsJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I haven't been to a zoo in so long. Thank you for the lovely shots of the animals and a little history too.
    Cindy

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  28. MaryJanuary 17, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    What a wonderful addition to the Houston zoo! Your photos & mosaics are delightful & your "surprise" tongue snapshot is great :-)

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  29. Gardening in a SandboxJanuary 17, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    The animals look like they are in a wonderful surrounding for watching. Looks warm there too.

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  30. CarolJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Snap, what fantastic pictures of a fantastic visit! Makes me wish I could go, I'd love a day at the Zoo!

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  31. AnjaJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    It will surely not be your last visit in "little Africa", one can catch there a lot of interesting shots. By the way I like very much the earring joke before and I am so much fan from Addams.
    Have a good week!

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  32. Icy BCJanuary 17, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Wonderful to see the animals at this time for me..We have nothing but snow!

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  33. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 17, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    How fabulous! I LOVE to go to the zoo and haven't been in a few years! Wish I was close enough to come to this one! What gorgeous animals and great photos! You've made some wonderful mosaics! ♥

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  34. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 17, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    PS My hubby loves the giraffes best! ♥

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  35. Debbie@Mountain BreathsJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    I have been planning a trip to our local zoo, but always hesitate to go in the winter. I would enjoy the photo opportunities! Thank you for taking us along to your beautiful zoo.

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  36. Judith @ Lavender CottageJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Thanks for sharing your zoo and all the wonderful animals in it.

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  37. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    Dear Snap, how are you?
    I'm so happy now visiting your sweet blog with so good energies.
    I'm sending you lots of beautiful lights, to have a blessed day with love.
    These animals are all amazing, your collages are wonderful!
    Very well done!
    purrs
    Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

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