Oh the places We Go, The People We see

[KatMark]

Jen, great pictures of the birds. It looks like a fun excursion and probably would have been even more beautiful without the hurricane the week before.

You can feed the birds at Discovery Cove and Mark is really looking forward to that.

The birds you captured are so vibrant in color.

 

[jenseib]

Jen, great pictures of the birds. It looks like a fun excursion and probably would have been even more beautiful without the hurricane the week before.

You can feed the birds at Discovery Cove and Mark is really looking forward to that.

The birds you captured are so vibrant in color.

I really want to go to Discovery Cove too. That looks like such a fun place. Someday we will get there.

 

[francis6306]

I don't know how my girls would react to that feeding the Macaws thing! It could go either way, for sure! I think Catie would be scared- but with Cortlyn, it would just depend on her mood that day…

Your pictures look amazing! Too bad that things were so messed up from the storm- but you certainly made the best of it!

 

[jenseib]

I don't know how my girls would react to that feeding the Macaws thing! It could go either way, for sure! I think Catie would be scared- but with Cortlyn, it would just depend on her mood that day…

Your pictures look amazing! Too bad that things were so messed up from the storm- but you certainly made the best of it!

Actually with Claire, things could depend on her mood of the day as well.

 

[jenseib]

We decided Claire needed a picture with the flamingoes.



We enjoyed just watching them run around freely.





We then walked over and took a look at the leopard.



I think he thought we looked like a tasty snack.











We followed the peacocks around a bit. I wanted a full plumage picture …. I never was lucky enough to get one.







Geoff however, was very lucky.



















I was able to capture a few flowers here and there.

 

[jenseib]

We found some bobcat looking cats. Here kitty kitty!



Claire’s goal was to go see King Julian again, so we were heading that way.







Hail King Julian!
















We made our way back just in time for the Marching Flamingo show. Mom was worried that we were going to miss it, but Claire and I got back just as they were bringing them in. No worries!





Now these are trained flamingoes. They are trained to march around and some have been marching for like 35 years. Now I am really not sure I would classify this as trained marching in my book. Now they were smart enough to know it was show time and all gathered in the ring, but as for synchronized marching, it really wasn’t that. It was more of the flamingoes running one way and then on cue running the other way. And some were defiant and refused to go along with the pack.









It was still really fun and neat to watch and kind of funny too.





Well hello there. This guy was a bit curious with us.

 

[jenseib]

While they were marching around, there was a lady on a microphone announcing things and facts about the flamingoes. I believe these guys were fed special to get that extra pink color, and I have to admit, they were beautiful.





They then call out for volunteers from each section to come out and let the flamingoes run around them. Claire and Alexis went out, though I think Alexis was a bit reluctant. Abby was not about to be left sitting in the stands and charged right out. Jude also made his way out too. This was going to be fun!





Abby and Alexis look like they now are not sure what they got themselves into.





“Aunt Bop Bop (that’s what my nieces call me), Don’t take pictures!”



“Aunt Bop Bop, I said NO pictures!”

Um, too bad Abby, it’s what I do!

Claire notices one coming their way.





The kids from the other section were freaking out over them getting so close. It was so funny. The lady kept announcing that they were only like 30 lbs and not mean and heck, they are pink for God sakes!









And then one got too close!



Abby was NOT having any of that! And soon we heard an announcement …”Do not touch the flamingoes!”

Look at the look she is giving them now. And Jude is starting to get slightly freaked as well.



OK, buddy, I told you NOT to come by me!

And then Abby grabbed that guy by his neck and gave him a HUGE shove! Oh my Word. I felt bad for the flamingo, but it was so hilarious! We were dying with laughter and we talk about it ALL the time. That flamingo probably told his buddies that he has been marching for 30 years and NO ONE has ever grabbed him by the neck before.

She’s really giving them the glare too.





That was enough. She had it and came back to sit with us.

 

[jecskc]

This seems like a cool excursion. I love how Claire called the lemurs King Julians. Sooo funny. Isn't it funny the names kids will give things ??? Two I remember from when my kids were younger. My DS always called Target "the circle store". And DD called her tights "sock pants." Ahhh, gotta love kids.

 

[dizneeat]

Aunt Bop Bop ..... I LOVE your photos!

It's good you don't always listen to "Miss Abby!" (Even though little Miss Attitude is soooooo cute!)

Great update, Jen, I am all caught up here again.

 

[jenseib]

This seems like a cool excursion. I love how Claire called the lemurs King Julians. Sooo funny. Isn't it funny the names kids will give things ??? Two I remember from when my kids were younger. My DS always called Target "the circle store". And DD called her tights "sock pants." Ahhh, gotta love kids.

Yeah, we have had some funny names over the years too. They come up with cute things.

Aunt Bop Bop ..... I LOVE your photos!

It's good you don't always listen to "Miss Abby!" (Even though little Miss Attitude is soooooo cute!)

Great update, Jen, I am all caught up here again.

Thanks! Miss Abby gets mad because not many people do listen to her.

 

[SigalTchelet]

GREAT pics! Loved the peacocks. You did a great job with the beautiful foliage. Your niece Abby is hilarious! Poor Flamingo! Thanks for the laugh!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I loved this update! Those are memories that will last a lifetime. The kids' expressions changed over the course of your pictures. Especially Abby and Jude's. That poor flamingo was probably ready to get the heck out of there!

 

[jenseib]

GREAT pics! Loved the peacocks. You did a great job with the beautiful foliage. Your niece Abby is hilarious! Poor Flamingo! Thanks for the laugh!

thanks.
Yes Abby is just so funny and so cute. We'll have a lot to make fun of her with when she's a teen!

 

[jenseib]

I loved this update! Those are memories that will last a lifetime. The kids' expressions changed over the course of your pictures. Especially Abby and Jude's. That poor flamingo was probably ready to get the heck out of there!

We laughed so hard. I couldn't believe she grabbed it. My poor sister is gonna have her hands full.
Through out the trip we would randomly say "Please do not touch the Flamingoes".

 

[KatMark]

Okay, I am sitting here over your name, Aunt Bop Bop. I'm sorry.

I have NEVER seen a white peacock before...so glad that their is a picture of that.

And the flamingos are really beautiful and so very pink.

Lovely update, Aunt Bop Bop.

 

[jenseib]

Okay, I am sitting here over your name, Aunt Bop Bop. I'm sorry.

I have NEVER seen a white peacock before...so glad that their is a picture of that.

And the flamingos are really beautiful and so very pink.

Lovely update, Aunt Bop Bop.

I did it to myself with that name.

The story for anyone interested is that when Alexis was a baby about 5 months old, she was crying at my youngest sisters college grad party and wouldn't stop. So I started going BopBopBop in the tone of a big truck backing up. I have no clue why I did it but she stopped crying immediately. And whenever I was around and she would cry I would do it and she would stop. It only worked for me though.
So fast forward to about Alexis 9 months old and I was huge and pregnant with Claire and we were on our annual family trip to Frankenmuth MI. I was sitting on a couch outside the bathroom with Alexis waiting for the rest of the family and she looked at me and mouthed Bop Bop. (She talked very early too). So then each time she saw me she would say Bop Bop and I have been Aunt Bop Bop ever since. I think only about 2 years ago did Alexis realize I had a real name.

I have seen a white peacock at the Fort Wayne Zoo too. I think they are albinos. I think they really are neat looking.

 

[dizneeat]

The story for anyone interested is that when Alexis was a baby about 5 months old, she was crying at my youngest sisters college grad party and wouldn't stop. So I started going BopBopBop in the tone of a big truck backing up. I have no clue why I did it but she stopped crying immediately. And whenever I was around and she would cry I would do it and she would stop. It only worked for me though.
So fast forward to about Alexis 9 months old and I was huge and pregnant with Claire and we were on our annual family trip to Frankenmuth MI. I was sitting on a couch outside the bathroom with Alexis waiting for the rest of the family and she looked at me and mouthed Bop Bop. (She talked very early too). So then each time she saw me she would say Bop Bop and I have been Aunt Bop Bop ever since. I think only about 2 years ago did Alexis realize I had a real name.
.

What a cute story! Love it, Jen! ...... or should I say Aunt Bop Bop!

 

[mickeystoontown]

That's a cute story! I bet nobody else can say that they are called Aunt Bop Bop!

 

[jenseib]

What a cute story! Love it, Jen! ...... or should I say Aunt Bop Bop!

That's a cute story! I bet nobody else can say that they are called Aunt Bop Bop!

Yes I am pretty sure there aren't too many Bop Bops running around. I figure when I do become a grandma, I'll be Bop Bop then too. I don't want to be Grandma Dowling ...thats for sure....thats my MIL!
When Claire friends say "Mrs. Dowling" I always correct them and tell them to call me Miss Jennifer.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Poor flamingo. I am sure he did not know what had hit him. It was seriously funny though.

I was lucky enough to see wild Flamingos in Dubai. They migrate there during the winter months from Iran.

Corinna