Amaru Zoologico, Cuenca, Ecuador

Today, I went to the zoo in Cuenca, and what a great experience it was! I took a taxi there, a 20 min. ride for $4 U.S. (that's the currency here), and a bus back for 25c. Entrance fee was $6, and it took me four hours to make the tour. Granted, I took over 300 photos and read most of the signs, many of which were bilingual. Good for my emerging Spanish skills.

The zoo is a rescue center, and in this sign they outline the "sad pasts" of many of their clients, such as Pancha, the Mono Capuchino (capuchin monkey), who had been kept with a chain around his neck.

 I had forgotten the zoom for my DSLR, which was just as well as it was seldom needed. I did, though, have my little point-and-shoot with an 18x zoom which I used some. 

The zoo is like none other I've seen, as you can see in this image of the entrance ramp!

My favourite part of the zoo, apart from the lions being fed, was probably the aviary. There, I could get up close and personal with the exotic, colourful birds.

I also really enjoyed the monkeys, and some of the little ones had the run of the place.

I had bought a cup of fruit for lunch and set it down on the table when I went to take a picture of these two:

Then I heard some Ecuadorians laughing and turned around to see this little monkey had taken liberty with my fruit!

It was good to see, though, that even the monkeys who were caged had room to roam in passage-ways constructed out of chicken wire:

                                      The monkey enclosure:

There were also raptors in larger cages, 4 eagles in this cage. 

 And lots of other animals. 

A tigirillo (ocelot):

And here's some of the rest:

But luckily, I came upon the exotic animal section just as they were feeding the lions. Eight of them, a mama and a papa, two cubs, and four youngsters. Papa let out a roar every now and then to let the little ones know that they weren't getting any of his meat! The keeper told me that papa would eat all that meat in one sitting, and they are fed three times a day.

But the most beautiful creature had to be this peacock, and he seemed to be proud of it!

here

The view of Cuenca as I left the zoo. 

Hiking Flores Island - June 24-26, 2015

On June 24, I led 12 students and 2 adults to Flores Island, a 35 minute water-taxi ride from Tofino. The forecast was for light rain on Wed. and Thur., but I was hoping it would be wrong. We did start hiking in light rain, and it continued for most of the 4 1/2 hour, 11 k., hike from Ahousaht to Cow Bay, where we camped for 2 nights. Luckily, though, it rained little while we were in camp, and the kids managed to get a fire going, although it was a whole group effort! A wonderful trip, maybe my favourite spot on the west coast.

Hiking through the Ahousaht Indian Reserve after our water taxi ride. 

Crossing one of the many beaches en route to Cow Bay. 

But because it was a rising tide, we had to trek across the aptly named "Trail
of Tears," rather than taking the low tide short-cut.

Despite the rain, though, the kids managed to get a fire going. 

On Thursday, we went for a stroll for a couple for hours along the coast. 

Lovely shells!

Fancy footwork across the Cow River. 

Lovely rocks, too!

A selfie on the rocks at Cow Bay.

Harlequin Ducks. 

And the sun came out!

Fording the river at low tide on the return hike on Friday, in sunshine@

The boat ride back to Tofino. 

Dover Bay Flores Island Backpacking Trip - June 24-26, 2015

KeehaBay - June 3-5, 2015

I took a school group out to Keeha Bay last weekend, near Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I didn't really know what to expect from the trail. In years past, it had taken up to 3 hours to slog the 4 k. through the mud, over and under the trees to the beach.   The beach didn't disappoint, whales, although not too close, were feeding offshore, 4 bears were spotted, a weasel, eagles, and osprey.

Yes, even with the dry weather (5 mm of rain in May!) the trail was still wet and muddy!

 Some marine fog, but it burnt off Saturday afternoon, and then there was sun, too much!

 We arose early Saturday, 6 a.m.!, to go for a walk at low tide. 

 Some great caves!

 The whole group - 15 of us. Me, two parents, an adult older brother, 3 female recent graduates, and 8 students, one grade 12, four grade 9's, and three grade 8's, all boys. 

 A beautiful view from this rocky promontory. 

 Liam, one of the grade 8 boys, excitedly called to me to bring my camera over. 

At first glance I thought it was just a pile of seaweed.

 But upon closer inspection I realized Luke was buried underneath all that!

And was he ever shivering!

 David and Peter and Liam had fun playing Huck Finn.

 Beautiful Indian paintbrush!

 The older kids sensibly covered up from the sun.

 Ah! What a trip! 

A country drive near Saskatoon, Part 2, July 4, 2010

While in Saskatoon, I went out with my dear old (with an emphasis on the old!) friend Frank Roy to take pictures. We chased and caught this rainbow, although my photo doesn't do it justice.

A potash mine.

They don't make clouds like that on the coast!

A yellow-headed blackbird. They were very plentiful this evening!

A country drive near Saskatoon on July 4th, Part I

 

On July 4th, I went for a drive with my dear old friend Frank Roy and we took pictures and visited.

Above is the church at St. Denis.

What reflections!

Oh, those clouds!

A ruddy duck, looking almost tropical with its blue bill.