San Diego Zoo

Balboa Park - see the entry on San Diego earlier -  is also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo.  The zoo houses more than 3000 plus animals, representing 800 plus species in a beautifully landscaped setting including the Giant Panda Canyon and the Elephant Odyssey.  One can get a combined ticket to the San Diego Safari Park with wildlife viewing closer to the real thing but we chose instead to go to Seaworld on the other side of the city and that was a fantastic day’s experience.  

The entrance to the zoo with the elephant shaped bushes to welcome the visitors.

The giant panda.

The meerkat - one of my favourites.  So cute and adorable.

The hippopotamus - not so adorable but impressive in volume.  Sitting sleeping in the water with its mate leaning on him/her.

Both large and adorable, the polar bear having a nap.

 

The latest addition in the zoo is the Outback section with the largest collection of koalas outside of OZ.

The Californian bald eagle in mid-flight - taken with the new camera.

The orangutan.