Zoo Much Fun

Evan watches the monkeys

Blogger Baby's first visit to the L.A. Zoo was highlighted by the Sea Lion Summer extravaganza. Did you know that sea lions swim with their bellies up when they are closer to the surface and flip with their bellies down when they are underwater? Wish I could show you some pictures but I was too busy oohing and ahhing with the baby.

The Zoo is undergoing some much-needed renovations, but the entrance is completed. It's ultra sleek -- I couldn't tell which window was open when I was in line to get my tickets. The tinted glass was too dark and I felt less like a fool when the people behind us made the same mistake. Thankfully, the wheelchair and stroller ramps are much wider now with some plants surrounding it.

As you get deeper in the zoo, you first see the pink flamingoes made famous by the opening shots on "Three's Company." I resisted the urge to stand on one foot (a la Mr. Furley) and pose for the camera.


Giraffes do their thing

Evan saw the napping lion (who cold not be bothered with the crowd), the giraffes, the infamous toe-biting komodo dragon, the elephants, the camels, the apes, the monkeys, the kangaroos and the koala bear -- who wowed the crowd as he suddenly lunged forward and swung to another tree.

Overall, the zoo was a good place to bring Evan on a free afternoon. It's just the right size for an afternoon visit, and even though it gets really hot in the summertime there are plenty of benches available with shade. I'd avoid the crowds on the weekends, and warning to the single folks: Families with small children abound -- but I did see some adults just hanging out sans kiddies.