Animal encounters at Mount Vernon (Virginia)

Mount Vernon is the majestic home of General George and Martha Washington. We usually visit at least two to three times a year as there are typically events going on and you see different things during each season. 

Today's photos highlights a couple of animal encounters we've had during visits to Mount Vernon. The horse photo was taken back in 2005 during what may have been the first visit to the property since moving to Virginia (I went once before on an 8th grade trip). The second and third photos are of Aladdin, the camel that comes to visit every November until January. Aladdin's visit commemorates the time George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a camel to entertain his guests over the Christmas holiday in 1787. He's such a lovable and friendly fella!

Visiting with the kangaroos at Virginia Safari Park

Gosh, I'm so behind in sorting through the various photos I'd taken throughout 2016. Today I thought I'd take a break from our wonderful South Carolina trip and head back to last March. During that month we'd stopped by the Virginia Safari Park, located in Natural Bridge, Virginia. 

We all had a fab time during the actual safari (another topic for another day, but I did share some macros of animal eyes taken at the park in an earlier post). After we parked the car, we walked around the park. The kangaroos were so cute! Definitely a relaxed group of critters.

This guy was chilling out and not bothered by the crowds

Looked like one totally exhausted kangaroo!

Taking a slumber stretch

Kangaroo slumber party

This fella was hoping for some food I think. Or maybe he was just curious?

Gazing into the eyes of animals

In March we were traveling along I-81 in Virginia and made a stop at the Virginia Safari located in Natural Bridge, Virginia. The animals there get real close up and personal. Here are a few shots taken as the animals visited our car -

A zebra's eye

I believe this is also of a zebra - you can see my camera and hand reflecting in its eye

A doe's eye

Horses grazing in an open field

Last summer we were driving along a back road in New York and saw these beautiful horses on the side of the road. I was compelled to pull over and snap a few photos.

Visiting the Bear's Den at the Bear Mountain Zoo

Today's post continues at Bear Mountain State Park. Last week I shared photos of our feathered friends that have taken up residence at the park's zoo, and today we visit the bears. For decades, Bear Mountain Zoo has been well-known for its bear den. Growing up as a kid, I can remember the huge crowds standing and waiting to get a glimpse of these magnificent looking creatures.

Every so often I get to go back to Bear Mountain and still enjoy watching the bears and, yes, even decades later, the den still draws a crowd. These photos are a mix taken in 2012 and 2014.

Feeding time at the Bear's Den at Bear Mountain Zoo

Getting ready to chow down

Taking a break to have a cool drink on a sunny day

Heading down the slop underneath into an area of the bear's den visitors cannot see

Related post: Feathered friends at Bear Mountain Zoo

Furry friends at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is one of my favorite historical places in Virginia - I usually go visit at least a couple of times a year, although I try to get there at least once during each season. Today's post visits with a couple of lovable furry friends at Mount Vernon

Why, hello there! This photo is a bit older, I lost track of the year, but I want to say it was back in 2005 on my first visit as an adult to Mount Vernon

Aladdin comes to visit every Christmas season for a couple of months. He's such a lovable guy! We make sure to visit him at least once a year - sometimes twice!

Hi Aladdin!

Tracking down squirrels on the National Mall (2007)

Today's photos are a few shots I took of a squirrel back in the spring of 2007. We were still relatively new to the D.C. region and had taken a trip downtown and to explore the memorials on the National Mall. 

I sort of vaguely remember taking these shots. This was early on in my interest of photographing nature. I like to sometimes go back and compare both my and my (then) camera's ability to spot and capture nature.

Is anyone looking???

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Caught in the act!

Spending time on the farm with baby pigs

All baby farm animals are cute, but I have this particular affection for baby pigs. (Is it my love for Piglet in Winnie-the-Pooh or something else? I couldn't tell ya...I just love them). Every spring I love to drive out to Kidwell Farm in Frying Pan Farm Park out in Herndon, Virginia and pay the new babies a visit. 

(Towards the end is a video I took in 2013 when Mama pig didn't want to share with the piglets. She seemed to be one busy mama with all those babies).

I just love piglets!

Hungry babies

"Whew, I'm tired!"

Big cats at the National Zoo (Washington D.C.)

Big cats are so beautiful, but I wouldn't want to get close enough to try and cuddle with one. This tiger at the National Zoo looked to have his eye on everyone who was looking in.

I've got my eye on you says the tiger

The National Zoo's lion, large and in charge