Part 2: San Diego Safari Park Part Two

20210504

The Trip

The Photos

The photos below are what we saw.

We arrived well before departure time for the Beach Train and the crew was busy getting cars arranged for the day's excursions.  The line is called "Roaring Camp and Big Trees" AKA RC&BT.

This gnarly bird is a Marabou Stork, native to central and southern Africa.  Note the gular sac (pink) on the front of the bird.

More very cool flowers in bloom.

Our path took us past a viewing area that allowed us to see the giraffes.

There was a a new baby in the area.  The park runs trucks though the area that allows close-up viewing.  Note the person at the left.

The giraffes were quite accustomed to the trucks.

The baby was focused on us as we were clearly visible to them.

The giraffes had an elevated watering station.

In the same enclosure were rhinos.  They were torpid in the hot afternoon sun.

These rhinos are the M-1 tanks of the animal kingdom.

This dog was in a secured enclosure; not sure what the story was on him.

Leo licks his lips at the thought of a tasty tourist treat.

His head followed the tourists as they walked away.

I am sure he is thinking "an easy meal".

He finally tired of staring at meals-not-to-be and retired to a shady spot.

Hidden on the far side of a palm tree, he continued to watch.

Our path skirted the elephant enclosure.

It was late in the afternoon and quite sunny and hot, so all the animals, including us, were moving slow.

This teenager left the mud hole and headed for the balance of the herd.

We decided it was time to head home and our return path took us through the aviary.  I took a photo of the bird above without actually "seeing him".  It was only when I got home and viewed the photo on the big screen that I saw how truly scary he is.  The inner eyelids are closed giving him a zombie-like appearance.

Quite far from an attractive bird, closer to a nightmare.



The bird looks like an old man with a bald head.



A different species, but still ugly.



Another large bird.



A spoonbill of some kind.



The enclosure had some smaller birds as well as the big, gnarly ones.



Note the interesting facial colors.



This bird had interesting facial colors and bright plumage.



The inner eyelids provide a ghastly appearance.



Gnarly bird followed us as we approached the exit portal.  Note the reddish coloring on the wind feathers.



There was a beautiful Macaw at the exit to the aviary.



The beak on this fellow was truly intimidating.  Note the reflections in his eye.



We got a bonus as we were leaving the parking lot.  This egret flew in to check us out.  No leg bands on this guy, he is a wild bird but has figured out that tourists bring treats.

Photos and Text Copyright Bill Caid 2021, all rights reserved.
For your enjoyment only, not for commercial use.