For Logan's 8th birthday we visited Safari West up in Santa Rosa. We hadn't heard of it, but are really glad we went! The safari part is amazing by itself-I much prefer this to a zoo. We were able to stay the night and in the morning this is the view.
(the giraffes near the cabins are sculptures)
We happened to arrive on the rare rainy day, but I loved it! The cabins are canvas tents, so we heard the rain all night long-a real treat for us in California. It is a little chilly on fall nights but there are electric blankets and it is so luxurious to be warm and cozy in bed.
You will be getting up early because these guys wake up at 6 and they let you know it!
Our actual tour didn't start till mid morning, so after breakfast we visited the birds and animals near the cabins.
Two different flocks of flamingos
When we passed these guys at night, some of us thought they were fake...and apparently it's a common mistake.
Lemur Island
Feeding time for the small birds
That would be seeds and fruit for the song birds and hamburger and mice for the predator.
We started our tour by walking through the aviary to get close ups.
Scarlet Ibis
Spoonbill
Guinea hen
Pheasant that is related to the peacock
This one particular crane took a liking to E-, danced for him, and then followed us around. Apparently she was hand raised by a man and so she will often pick out a guy on the tour to follow!
We moved on to the primates
Nomming on a corncob
We got one special stop in the giraffe barn since it was so wet outside.
They were interested in us and stuck their heads out. Close up you realize just how large they are, eyes the size of your fist. Small children only come up to their knees.
Into the jeep for the next tour-they are old Army type jeeps with bench seats added and a bonus seat on top for the bravest of your group.
I feel a little bigger in the jeep, but not much.
The zebras are shy on rainy days, we were lucky to seem them out at all.
Many different antelopes were out. I didn't know that different species have different 'follow me' markings on the back side. They think it is so if you see a bunch of your relatives running away, you know to start running too.
The Rhinos stayed inside and I was too fascinated by the Cape Buffalo and Ostrich to snap their photo...ah next time!
