when
the winter blues
start attacking my soul
and
vitamin D
isn't enough
it's animal therapy
at the zoo
that makes me feel whole again
the mating calls and smiles from the harbor seals
the blinding colors and humidity in the rain forest
the silence surrounding the chimpanzees and orangutans while they sit and watch me
the pacing of the tiger
the rhythmic horn rubbing from the rhinoceros
even
the unfamiliar smells
all of it
fills me up
and
makes me feel like a little girl
who was just told she can have dessert without eating her broccoli first
~~
seriously
the feeling is that good
::
I love how you describe it...isn't it amazing how nature can make us feel whole again! I'm so glad I read this. I've often thought of nature therapy, but not in terms of the animals. But I believe you--and I'm looking forward to trying it out!
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are magnificent but the otter is so delish!! I can feel his happiness.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos!! And having dessert first is the best way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
And the unfamiliar smells are just not as pungent and "animally" as they are other times during the year! Love the pictures!
ReplyDeletefantastic images and i'm so glad you got such warm feelings...honestly, zoos make me rather sad. i want all the animals to run free and that just isn't possible in todays time.......:0(
ReplyDeleteBeth , glad you like the zoo, me too. Although it has been forever that I have been. I love, love, the new header, it is amazing. have a great day, take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
ReplyDeleteYou've brightened my day.
Wise woman - knowing how to kick start yourself out of a funk. And in such an original way!
ReplyDeletethese photographs are stunning! my breath has been taken away.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Are all of these tropical animals housed outdoors?!?!? What a beautiful collection..and I can see how they'd fill you up!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the beauty of nature...absolutely!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThose are all great shots...I like the otter best too!
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you tell yourself the broccoli is for desert, you can eat the good stuff first, and when its time for desert you can say, no thanks, I'm full.
The zoo! Why didnt I think of that? We headed out to our local popular garden this morning, for the same reason you went to the zoo. And yes, that too was a good feeling. But now, on to the Olympic coverage.
ReplyDeleteLove the zoo and like Mark I am off to watch the Olympics....Hugs
ReplyDeletewonderful photos ... love the blissful look on the first one
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Photos are excellent and the way you write you make me feel like a little girl seeing the wonders that you describe. How can we (any of us) be down about the piles of snow after reading your post? Sigh. Thanks.
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots - i'm glad you are getting some respite.
ReplyDeleteguess i shouldn't tell you that it got up to 60 here this weekend.
Your heartfelt feelings come through with flying, spying, dunking, squaking, dancing, glancing, flirting colors! Your moody textures add an element of time past, artistry and emotion. Tho' I love the big cats (that tiger is divine)...the seal melts my heart.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots, and wonderful feeling. I know that vitamin D is so necessary, especially here! ;) I LOVE the Rhino in the snow!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots Beth...what a great place to get a nice winter respite...I went to a flower show for a little taste of spring and it helps:)
ReplyDeleteOtters always make me happy... and those colorful birds... aren't they fantastic! Your photographs are amazing. They look just like NatGeo images. So clear and colorful. (Love the new header, too!)
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos Beth! Animals provide such wonderful healing therapy! Ohhhh...and the new header! Love ;)
ReplyDeletedreamy new banner and zoo photos!
ReplyDeletekt
oh, the zoo is always a good idea. Especially if you can actually take your time and enjoy the animals!
ReplyDeleteBut its too cold there, I think you should stay by the fire!!!!!!!!!!!!
R
If you want to see them in the wild, come and visit!
ReplyDeletewww.krugerpark.co.za
If I was you, I'd be looking at my photography every day, thinking, "Wow, I'm pretty good at this!"
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love coming here to look and to read.
gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeletexo
Oh Beth! I love love these photos. I forgot how much I loved the little faces of the sea lion. I recently convinced myself I hate the zoo. I can't bear looking into the animals faces and knowing they belong in the wild...to be free. But these photos...they look happy. Don't they?
ReplyDeleteI love how your animal therapy has therapeutic results on me!
ReplyDeleteI love your particular brand of self-medication.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for shifting the winter blues. I must run off to the zoo immediately.
ReplyDeleteGreat trip to the zoo...
ReplyDeletethank you
That's good for what ails you.
ReplyDelete