Touching nature

Had an awesome experience at the Wellington Zoo - 'encounters', you get to go into the pen and feed the animals. Tuesday did the Red Panda Encounter - didn't know much about them at all, but up close, they are potentially the cutest things ever. So mild - I've endured more surly housecats... Took 'em a little while to warm up to ya, but once they came down out of the trees (paws and claws curling up), they come right up to, climb into your lap, and eat pears and grapes out of your hands. And you can pet em all over, they don't care, they actually seem to love it. Fed 2 younger one (5-yo and 2-yo females), then the mom - a 9-year old one.




The next day was the coup de grace - giraffes! Such astounding beasts - they seem even more massive when you're standing at their feet. The way their heads swing around, then come right down to meet you, it's dizzying. I stood on a ladder, holding a paint bucket of pellets, carrots, and apples, they stuff their snout right in there and munch away. You can reach up and touch them, they get a little nervous, and raise their heads and give you the eye. (eyes about the size of a small melon. The calf was the most nervous at first, then the most calm and I got the most petting in on her. Reached under the head, down along the neck, all over the horns. Truly an opportunity I'll never forget, and so glad I did it, even in the last few days in New Zealand. I spread these pictures around Weta, and it sounds like there's 6 or 7 people who are definitely making a booking for one of them. Feels good, sending business to the zoo.