We are members of the local Roger Williams Zoo and take some time to visit the zoo when we can. They have a wonderful assortment of animals to see.

Our daughter Emily's favorite animal is the elephants, because their name begins with E.

When we first got to the elephants they were outside and sort of far away in a fenced in area. The zoo is going through some reconstruction. They're expanding the elephant and giraffe (who live next door) exhibit spaces. They'll have a lot more room to roam and a bigger pond to enjoy.

The zoo has an indoor pavilion. Inside we saw the giraffes, which I've gotten to like. The giraffes had a couple of babies this year, which we got to see on our last visit. The baby giraffes have since moved to a zoo in Chicago. The adult giraffes enjoyed the cooler space in the pavilion.

In the elephants area I couldn't help notice one of the walls. It has paint strokes on it. Apparently they give the elephants some painting time. One way they keep them active. One sign described each elephant's individual paint strokes. Imagine, they each painted (if you care to call it painting) in their own way. I thought that was neat. It reminded me of a site I saw in a message where an elephant learned to paint. Apparently it gives the elephants something interesting to do besides the usual routine. Interesting for sure.

Here is a link to an elephant that paints. http://www.elephantart.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=69

Later on during our visit to the zoo, we stopped by the pavilion again. The elephants were in having "lunch". The girls loved them. One can't help but marvel at their size. They're the biggest land animal living on our planet.

Their trunk is amazing too. They can not only breath through it, but can spray water into their mouth or on themselves. They can use their trunk to lift heavy logs or branches. The end of the trunk has a finger like muscle. It can delicately pick up a piece of hay or grass. Just incredible really. Nature holds many wonders and the elephant is sure one of them.

I naturally got some pictures to add to my collection of photos. I'll have to take some time to create some of my own art images of them from the photos.

I'll showcase them here, when I get them done.



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