Into Summer At The SF Zoo

And now, some sketches from recent excursions to the San Francisco Zoo. They've just started their summer event schedule, which includes a nature trail manned by young volunteers, twice-daily wildlife theater shows, and lots of keeper talks - plus the newly unveiled Sculpture Learning Plaza! A great time to take the kids, if you've got 'em.

The new Sculpture Learning Plaza has dozens of life-size and larger-than-life models of exotic critters, sturdy enough for kiddies to climb on. Coming soon: a coelacanth!

 Otherwise, last week's trip was about the rhinos. Here's magnificent Gauhati, two tons of fun.

And here's young Boone, who's currently the subject of a research fundraiser to develop a cool food-dispensing foraging ball.

From back in May, here are five giraffes all stripping one stalk of acacia. This was an irresistible drawing opportunity.

A comprehensive indictment of that wicked, wicked guanaco.

My beloved sloth and his colorful roomie. They'll soon be relocating to the new tropical aviary.

Another irrestible sketching situation. I've never seen the shy bongo this close!