An unintentional trip to the zoo?
Meercats are so cute, aren’t they?
My last day in Kraków started rather damply. The plan was a woodland walk and, when we arrived, I was immediately captivated by a red squirrel. He, though, was quite determined to evade me and disappeared through a fence. The woods were, coincidentally, situated next to Kraków zoo, and I surmised that I might find more red squirrels inside. Looking through the gate, I decided that a visit might be worthwhile. The flowerbeds alone looked rather beautiful. So- in we went!
See what I mean? The rhododendrons were gorgeous!
The kookaburra was one of my favourites of the captive species
But this guy seemed determined to vie with the flowers
When he treated us to this display!
The pelicans seemed more intent on personal grooming
And nothing was going to compete with these rain dropped beauties!
But for adorable, these guys got my vote
And antelope can always make me smile!
You know what I didn’t find, though? Not even a single red squirrel. Maybe the roaring of the lion scared them off! So I settled for more rhododendrons. Well, they are my favourite plant!
Aren’t they lovely?
I’m never too sure about zoos, though I know some of them do great conservation work. I hate to see big cats caged, and the noise coming from the single beautiful lion indicated that he felt the same way too. Paula was at the zoo in Zagreb earlier this week. Why not ask her what she thinks?
Then you need to pay a visit to Cate at Show My Face. She’s our generous hostess for Six word Saturday. Are you going to play?
restlessjo 
I guess you are an accidental tourist, in this case.
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I’ve read that, Mlissabeth 🙂
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Beautiful photos Jo! The peacock and the Rhododendrons are stunning! Thanks for reminding me that I need to visit our zoo soon! 🙂
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Momma’s takin us to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow… never can resist a sing song Tonya! Thanks a lot 🙂
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I can see why the kookaburra is one of your favorites, Jo…he’s so cute and fuzzy! I love the zoo, it’s always been one of my favorite places.
Thanks for sharing your fantastic photos!
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Fuzzy! 🙂 I think that’s the photograph, Jill, but don’t tell, will you? Somebody online had a beautiful kookaburra photo the other day- in the wild! I think it might have been Christine at Dadirridreaming. I can only photograph the captive variety. Happy days 🙂
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Hi Jo, I love the mix of the beautiful birds and gorgeous flowers! What a wonderful treat to see the peacock display. I agree, the giraffe is a big winner, love, love the capture!!
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There were 3 of them, Amy, and they looked quite young. Totally obsessed with food! 🙂 Loved it!
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I thought I saw only two there 🙂 I took several shots of the giraffes at the San Diego Zoo, none turned out good 😕 I really like your capture.
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They might be making a guest appearance in the Monday walk 🙂 I took quite a few shots. Thanks, hon!
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Yay! 🙂
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I saw a red squirrel in a park in Hanover a few weeks back too. You never see any in the UK, just the grey vermins. Maybe the red ones are two a penny in mainland Europe?
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There were some in Lazienki Park in Warsaw, Richard, so you could be right. Is the sunshine suiting you? It’s been a glorious day here. 🙂
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It’s a scorcher – shame I’ve got to come inside for FA cup final duties!
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I thought you might 🙂 Not going well if you’re a Gunners fan!
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Cracking game so far, I get a feeling they’ll sneak it in the end…
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Jo I love how the squirrel led you to these wonderful photos. always good to be open to the possibilities. 🙂
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As usual, that’s only half the story, Sue 🙂 I think the rest will probably make my Monday walk. Still spoilt for choice! Life ok with you? Spring sunshine, may one hope? It’s been glorious here today.
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Oh I look forward to the walk Jo! Yes we have spring and we went for a lovely run along the river where I spied the first baby goslings. The leaves are poking their noses out of the buds. Truly a miracle of nature. 🙂
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For me, any trip to the ZOO is wonderful! I even enjoyed this virtual visit! Thank you, for such lovely photos to enjoy with my fresh cup of coffee this morning.
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Oooh, coffee! It’s teatime here- must be time for another one 🙂 My Saturdays often have caffeine overload (until it gets to wine time!) Glad you liked the trip, Karen.
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Well, you know love this! It has critters! Thee Meerkat is my favourite!
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They looked extremely mischievous, Ann. I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could… well, maybe that’s not a good idea! 🙂
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Oh, I agree. They are a bit crazy!
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P.S. I was distracted by animals and forgot to say how impressed I am with your capture of rhododendrons 🙂 Beautiful detail!
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Thank you 🙂 Easier to keep them still (unless it’s windy!)
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😀 My cats were really quiet Jo ;). Thank you for the mention. You know I also have some cute pics of meerkats – they are the cutest, funniest creatures 😀 I LOVE THIS POST 🙂
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Mostly the cats were sleeping, Paula, but the big fella was downright angry. I guess having all that prey around and not being able to reach any of it must be quite frustrating!
Yeah, who doesn’t love mischievous meerkats 🙂 I know you’re into our animal friends but it’s not something I take many photos of. I usually only manage to catch a tail or an eyebrow!
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It takes some practice 😉 Thank you for your nice post Jo. I could watch animals all the time – it is the kids and mostly the parents I have problems with in a zoo. My great wish is to visit the zoo in Vienna which is supposed to be the oldest and best in Europe 🙂
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That’s not so far from you- and Vienna looks very beautiful. It’s kind of midway on my ‘list’ 🙂
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True, Vienna is not far at all from here (about 4 hours drive), and you should visit it too 🙂
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The flowers are absolutely beautiful Jo. And what a treat to see the peacock in all its glory. One positive about zoos is that it is often the only way children get to see live animals. I would love, though, that there be a standard set so that animals are treated with dignity no matter where in the world the zoo is.
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They mostly looked fine, Colline, and everything was clean and well cared for (including the rhodies 🙂 ) but I wasn’t sure if the cats had suffficient space.
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I don’t think they ever do in a zoo Jo – they are made to roam wide open spaces.
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Unintended trips are often the best!
Six Words on Shade
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The day started a bit drizzly and I wasn’t hopeful, but it ended well 🙂
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I love that it was an unintended trip. Great pictures!
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Thanks, Dawn 🙂 It was sunny by the afternoon and we spent it by the river. Gorgeous too!
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Living life. you are my kinda gal!
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All of them are just so beautiful Jo and you’ve captured all of them so well. Great flower shots! Just like you I also don’t like seeing the big animals caged but well, sometimes it’s the only way they are going to survive. I have mixed feelings about it.
Thanks for the lovely walk once again hon and have a great weekend. 😀 ♥ Big Hugs ♥
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The cats didn’t appear to have a lot of space, Sonel, but the compound for the wolves was big so maybe there was more than I could see. I didn’t linger long as I felt so sorry for them.
Many thanks! Happy weekend to you too. 🙂
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Meercats….Yum.
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Do they BBQ well, Ron? 🙂
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A lovely visit. I’m with you on being ambivalent about zoos. There is a lovely one near here which does great conservation work, captive breeding and release into the wild, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable. Meerkats are incredibly cute on the screen, but I gather that this has led to a lot of people acquiring them as pets and then finding that they’re agressive and distructive in the home.
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If I was feeling mischievous I’d buy someone a meerkat as a pet 🙂 They do look a handful, even when you see them in the zoo, Viv.
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Beautiful rhodos…..and I love the photo of the giraffes.
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I suspect the giraffes might make another appearance, Ann. There were 3 of them and they were beautiful. 🙂
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Thanks for another Saturday morning tour Jo. Get the BBQ out! What a gorgeous day 🙂
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Unbelievable, wasn’t it David? I actually sat in the shade in the garden for a while, answering comments on the laptop 🙂
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I haven’t been to a zoo for years, you’ve inspired me!
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I think my last was San Diego, Gilly, and that was about 15 years ago! I remember the grounds there were lovely too. I might have been to Edinburgh zoo since but I can’t remember exactly when. 🙂
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I enjoyed looking at the beautiful photos of animals and flowers. I especially like the giraffes.They have very good posture.
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There were 3 giraffes, Romi, and they looked quite young. I loved them 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the visit.
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