After trying several wines at the Atascadero Wine Festival (which I wrote about here), I took the opportunity to take a free trip through the Charles Paddock Zoo. Proceeds from the Festival go to the Zoo, so Festival attendees get free admission for the day. We have a nice little zoo here, imho. I know there are people out there who don’t like zoos at all, and that’s fine, but, personally, I love them! I enjoy seeing up close and personal animal species that I would otherwise never get to see, except maybe on television or in a book. It was pretty hot when I toured the zoo, so many of the animals were snoozing or hiding out trying to beat the heat, but I got some pretty good pictures anyway! Enjoy!

Entrance to the Charles Paddock Zoo.

Tiger statue at the zoo’s entrance.

African Crested Porcupine.

Jacobs Sheep.

Fossa. This little guy was pretty quick, so it was hard to get a shot of him!

Great Horned Owl.

The Maras.

Bennett’s Wallaby.

A sleepy Two-Toed sloth.

Geoffroy’s Marmoset.

A dozing Serval.

Close-up shot.

This Meercat exhibit was funded by proceeds from the 2003 Atascadero Wine Festival. It was really interesting to hear the Zoo Keeper talk about the Meercats – as seen on Animal Planet’s “Meercat Manor” – and to see what has been done with the money made from the Festival!

A Black Handed Spider Monkey.

Apparently the Desert Tortoise is California’s Official Reptile. Who knew?

Flamingos.

Parrots.

Be careful around the tiger exhibit!

Indochinese Tigers.

Prehensile-taled Porcupine.

Red Ruffed Lemur.

Inside the Aviary.

A European Pond Turtle.

Inca tern.

Ring-necked parakeet.

The Scarlet Ibis.

Roseate Spoonbill

The Scarlet Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill.

Cheers!