We'll be heading up to Seattle today, hopefully with a stop at a marshland/wildlife refuge on the way. We haven't been as productive in the birding department on this trip as we had hoped. Funny how having two children chatting away tends to scare off the birds!

Yesterday, we went to the Portland zoo with my aunt and uncle and cousin. It was pretty hot, but the zoo is great-has lots of shade and frequent misters set up where we could get wet and cool off.



On the way into the zoo, there was a set of really cool wind sculptures (although not a lot of wind to blow them around). Here's one:







Then we went and checked out the new (11 months old now) baby elephant-sorry, no pics of the elephant loaded up, but we did meet a Utilikilt wearer:







Our timing was good, we got to hang out with some birds (although they don't count towards our list because they're in captivity)


The cutest of the raptors, an American Kestrel:







And, of course, we had to go and feed the Lorikeets







The girl was in seventh heaven:







I was pretty happy too!







Jamie got his share







But, as usual, he was most popular with the goats (they just love to rub their horns on his walking stick). Look at Sinbad..."Gee dad, I want to grow up to be just like you...Not!"







We realized that it was time to eat when I started "chewing on the scenery"







Wee Xena always has to buy a new stuffed animal everywhere we go. She already bought a hummingbird at Jackson Bottom Wetlands. At the zoo, she found this bush baby, pictured here eagerly awaiting dinner:





That's all for now. Tonight we will be in Seattle, but not doing anything. Tomorrow night-kilt night at Hale's Ales http://halesbrewery.com/index.html

Be well,