Calgary Zoo 4

I think I'm right when I say this is a Virginia Creeper. Photographed it growing on a wall at the Calgary Zoo, 5th October 2010.

A delicate Miniature Rose that was growing in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo on 18th February 2010.

Not sure what these rather beautiful flowers are called, but they were growing in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo on 5th October last year.

Not a very good photo, but I just couldn't resist a splash of red berries this morning, ha. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 31st October 2009.

Hope all my American friends will be lucky enough to enjoy a turkey (or equivalent such as vegetarian) dinner tomorrow, the US Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for, though of course more so for some people than others. A special Happy Thanksgiving to all those US servicemen and women (and their families, who also make so many sacrifices), who risk their lives on a daily basis, in order to keep the rest safe and free. Happy Thanksgiving (tomorrow), everyone! Please drive safely if you are on the roads. Our Canadian Thanksgiving was on October 10th. This image shows a Wild Turkey that lives at the Calgary Zoo, free to roam wherever he pleases. He looks such a character with that amazing face and neck : ) He and I happened to pass each other on the path : ) Taken on 3rd February 2009. Can't remember if I've seen Wild Turkeys in the wild just the one time or twice, way south of Calgary, several years ago, but my photos were very distant.

I think I'm right when I call this a Zinnia? Love photographing these flowers which were growing in the gardens at the Calgary Zoo on September 20th. It snowed here again last night, so a splash of vibrant colour is needed today. A little later this morning, I am going to Swiss Chalet for lunch with friends to catch up on news and enjoy a delicious Festive Meal, that they do so well! I will think of all my friends south of the border, celebrating their Thanksgiving today, whether with a fancy meal or simple, with family or alone. Happy and safe Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

Not a whole lot of colour about these spectacular Vultures, but I think they look interesting. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 4th April 2010. "The Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus, is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Necrosyrtes. It breeds in a stick nest in trees (often palms) in much of Africa south of the Sahara, laying one egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. This is of the smaller vultures of the Old World. They are 62-72 cm (25-28 in) long, have a wingspan of 155-165 cm (61-65 in) and a body weight of 1.5-2.6 kg (3.3-5.7 lbs). Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals and waste which it finds by soaring over savannah and around human habitation, including waste tips and abattoirs. It often moves in flocks, and is very abundant. In much of its range, there are always several visible soaring in the sky at almost any time during the day." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooded_Vulture

Another photo of a Sandhill Crane, swimming on a small pond/creek at the Calgary Zoo, from 8th October 2010. I rather liked the water patterns and colours that day.

A bud that was opening in the garden at the Calgary Zoo, 11th October 2010.