A day at the Zoo.

On the last day of 2011 we took a little trip Palm Desert and made a visit to The Living Desert.  The place had recreated the deserts of several places around the world, Africa, Madagascar and United States to name a few.  We saw a number of very interesting and beautiful things.

The evening before we left we were blessed with this sunset.  Go God go!

On our way to the interstate we came upon our first "wild" animal.  This one is typically found on the back of garbage trucks.

On arrival we were greeted with a fine looking concrete mother cheetah and her cubs.

Then we took time to stop and admire the miniature sawmill at work...

...as well as the whole transportation system that had been constructed over about half a block area.

Then we entered Africa!

I guess when you live in a desert it is pretty easy to develop similar areas from other parts of the world.  One can just imagine the plains of Africa with its wild population.

Then again, some of the "wild" population have to take time out for a snooze.

But you can always depend on a certain portion of the wild creatures to maintain a rigorous "habitat" training.

It was a very warm afternoon, about 80 F, so there was a lot of laying in the shade.

Then we ran into the "California Longhorn".  Don't really remember the name of this critter but I am quite sure that he had a very strong neck and he was from Africa.  I believe they were Ankole Cattle.

We saw some funny creatures like the bat-eared fox..

...and the cutest little pair of full grown Swift foxes which were no larger than a small kitten.

There was a collection of interesting cactus in the Mojave exhibit.

..and if I remember correctly this funny looking fellow is a Caracal.

In a stroke of luck and a little magic we captured a female purple throated humming bird feeding on a wildflower.

In the Mojave desert region we found the beautiful Mexican wolf and I have about 100 more pictures if you would like to see them the next time you see us.

On Sunday we mad a stop at our usual haunt and had lunch after church.

Isn't it just amazing!  Look at the pansies blooming.  Folks, it is January 1, 2012.