UBC Museum of Anthropology - Vancouver, BC Canada

We always enjoy a visit to the UBC Museum of Anthropology when we are in Vancouver. This time was no exception.

One thing that I particularly like about this museum is that not only do they allow photography, but the brochure says that they encourage it. Taking photos in a museum is tough work though, and sometimes you just get overwhelmed with all of the art and have to take a break.

After a little rest it was time to head outside.

The view from the rose garden on the roof of the parking garage was pretty nice.

There is a link at the end of the previous post to a gallery with more images from the UBC MOA in November of 2013.
     

A Few Days In Vancouver, BC Canada

We spent a few days last month visiting one of our favorite cities, Vancouver, BC. It's been over 10 years since we were last there, and the city sure has grown. That said, many of our favorite places were exactly as we remembered, and we explored some new places as well. The weather was cool, mid-40's during the day, but no rain, and we spent much of our time out wandering around. Or eating.

Many of the buildings in the shot above were not there the last time we visited. We stayed at the Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street, which was there the last time we were in town, and the time before that as well. Heather and I took our first trip together almost exactly 20 years ago, in December of 1993, to Vancouver, BC. We stayed at the Blue Horizon on that trip, and again in 2002. It's a great place, one of our favorites, even if it does look like they still have the same carpet and furnishings as when we first saw it.

The lion statues at the back of the Vancouver Art Museum are cool. This was originally a federal government building.

We had dinner one night at Zefferelli's, just as we did 20 years ago. It too was just as good. 

We were thirsty after all the walking we did. Luckily they had lots of water available.

We also ate at Joe Forte's. It too was good, just as it was the first time I went there in the late 1980's.

We spent some time walking along the Stanley Park Seawall in the late afternoon.

We went to the Vancouver Aquarium, which is always fun. I didn't get many good shots of the fish, but I did get one that I liked of the penguins, and some of the jellyfish.

Here's something you won't find in San Diego - a vending machine selling umbrellas.

We also spent some time at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology and at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I'll put up separate posts for each of those.

Click here to see more images from our short trip to Vancouver, BC Canada November 24-27, 2013.
      

San Diego Zoo - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013

Sunday was a very nice day at the San Diego Zoo.

Tiga the female Malayan Tiger was out all day, so of course I got a few shots of her.

The newest baby Panda was high up in a tree, sound asleep from the looks of it. He was up high enough that we could see him from the street and didn't even have to wait in the line to the exhibit.

The California Mountain Lions were up for a bit.

One of the Amur Leopards was just sitting there grooming himself, minding his own business . . . 

. . . when his brother decided to come over and visit.

Apparently that didn't go over all that well.

Those last 2 pictures were taken 13 seconds apart.

I spotted this scene at the Flamingo pool on my way out.

Click here to see a few more pictures from the San Diego Zoo on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

     

Recent Tiger Pictures - San Diego Zoo

Here are a few recent pictures of Tiga and Connor, Malayan Tigers at the San Diego Zoo.  First up, my newest favorite picture of Connor, walking towards me just at the moment he stepped from the shadows into the bright sunlight.

Here are a couple shots of Tiga.

      
There are a few more images from December 1 & 8, 2013 at the San Diego Zoo at the link at the end of the previous post. 
   

Some San Diego Zoo Pictures Without Tigers

Just to show that I do take pictures of things other than tigers, here are a few recent pictures from the San Diego Zoo that don't include tigers or other big cats.

I finally saw the Sloth. I've been going by that enclosure for a while now, and this is the first time I've actually seen her. They really do move kind of slowly.

These Southern Gerenuks are fun to watch.

The San Diego Zoo is also one of the largest botanical gardens around, so every now and then I get a flower picture too.

Click here to see a few more images from December 1 & 8, 2013 at the San Diego Zoo.
     

Fishing Cat

I spent a little time recently with Parvatti, one of the Fishing Cats at the San Diego Zoo. She was nice enough to pose (as much as a cat can pose) for my camera. 

      
     

Happy Thanksgiving

Every year around Thanksgiving we hear lots of warnings about proper food handling, and the occasional story of someone who didn't pay attention. You rarely hear, however, about the equally dangerous practice of not washing your hands before putting up the decorations.

Think of this as a Public Service Announcement.

If, after you get done preparing the Thanksgiving meal this year, you decide to put out some festive decorations around your house or yard, be sure to wash the scent of raw meat off of your hands first . . . because . . .

. . . you never know when the neighborhood cat is going to show up.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!