Lions, Tigers and Spider Monkeys... Oh My!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Since I've lived in Montgomery for 10 years and haven't been to the zoo, I figured it was time to visit. It was a pleasant day that I spent watching magnficent animals and smelling their pooh, which is not good for my sinuses ... that's what I'm blaming my watery eyes on anyway.

One of the first animals I saw was an African lion. I didn't know that Africa had it's own lion breed. I learn something new everyday. I figured a lion was a lion ... but there it was lying in the sun ... asleep. So exciting. zIt reminded me of my dog Lucy. The lion was larger and probably meaner but so much like Lu, lying on her back with her legs in the air. One time she got up walked ten feet and then came back, laid down and was asleep again. It almost felt like home, except for the smell.

The black bear wasn't entertaining either. It just kept walking the same path back and forth and back and forth, and ... well I think you get it. It didn't even play in the pond.

The baby lynx was cute but she meant business. She even walked to the window and snarled at the kids banging on the glass. That's an animal I like. There were kids everywhere, screaming and crying. One ran a stroller into my leg. I felt like throwing him into the pit. Don't worry animal lovers ... I wouldn't do that to the lynx.

The animals that scared me the most were the spider monkeys. They are ugly and move way to fast for my taste. A spider monkey could be all over you in a minute, pulling out your hair and scratching, etc. That short fence wouldn't keep a spider monkey away. We won't even talk about their hygiene or what several male monkeys were trying to do to a female monkey. They weren't in the act but were trying to get there if you know what I mean. I'll probably have nightmares about spider monkeys for a while.

My favorite were the elephants. There was a father playing with a smaller elephant. I watched them for a long time because it was peaceful and cute. He was teaching him (assuming it was a male) how to pick up a stick with his trunk and how to move things, such as boulders and tree stumps ... or at least that was my assessment.

Elephants are strong and tenacious, which made me think of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Somehow or another I always get back to Alabama football. Right? I'm already counting the days for the next season to start. But I digress ...

Sarcasm aside, the afternoon was enjoyable and I got to watch the elephants play ... but I'm staying away from those damn spider monkeys.