A Trip to the Aviary with the Pieps

On Mother's Day weekend, one of Brent and Julie's sons-in-law had free tickets into the Tracy Aviary. So they invited us to go along. John had to work, as usual, but Gabe and I went and had a great time.
Anyway . . . here are a few pictures of what we did and saw that day.

Pelicans --
Andean Condor -- it always turned its back right when I wanted to get the picture!

That is one - big - bird!
Injured golden eagles -- there are no fences around their enclosures.
I think this is a kind of cuckoo.
There was this traveling exhibit -- supposedly the world's largest ball of string. It really looked impressive. All the tags hanging around were ideas of what people would do if they had that much string. However, on closer inspection, you could see the styrofoam form it was wrapped around. Still lots of string, just not as impressive.

These other kids are Gabe's cousins from the Piep side.

The kids had a great time just running up and down the ramp. The artwork on the side apparently gets changed every time the ball of string gets moved.
Back to the birds--



I didn't realize swans had such big feet! That part doesn't show when they are swimming!
Clarke Planetarium had a little site there, too. This is Gabe and Alex trying to pull off a piece of an electromagnet. It took both of them to do it.
This bird was part of the bird show. We were early enough in the season that they were still training their birds. This was an emu --
Here's where we got to feed the birds. On the computer on the other side, I have a picture of Gabe with 3 of them on his arms! I'll try to get that on tomorrow. It may show up as a new post altogether. It was fun having them sit on my hand to eat the apple!
This silly video is a bird that makes the strangest sound. As we approached its cage, I thought someone had touched one of those sound buttons, but no, it was real! So, I had to see if the camera would capture it. It did --



With summer just getting started, we'll have much more to blog about soon. In the meantime, we'll see everyone else in their blogs, too. Have a happy summer!!!!!

Jenny wins. All of her answers were correct. There were three of the extra credit that she didn't answer. So here they are.
Pardon in Brittany by Gaston La Touche
Etretat: Beach and Falaise at d'Amond by Monet
and Chrysanthemums by Renoir

Finally some new furniture!! We have had the room painted and the floors finished forever it seems, but only now got around to the furniture part.

You will have to forgive my picture taking abilities, I was not allowed to use a flash and there were alot of people milling and jostling about, so I did my best. Anyway this is a little quiz for all the old Masterpiece players out there. Can you name the Title and Painter of the following?

These last five are extra credit.

Here is the Sears Tower a little closer. I always thought it was right on Michigan Ave. But it is actually a couple of blocks to the west. I took this picture standing on Michigan Ave, right in front of the Art Institute looking down this street to the west. Here is a huge bronze statue in front of the Art Institute.

This is the Facade of the Art Institute, I am standing right on Michigan Ave facing east, right behind the building is Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

The following are some pictures that I was able to take on our drive into Chicago, they are taken through the windshield of the car so the quality is lacking somewhat, but I think you can still enjoy This is the roof line of the Chicago Public Library. It was very impressive.

And of course the Sears Tower and Chicago skyline.

Here are a couple of pictures from AA and Maury's yard. You can tell they pit alot of work into it. This is a ornamental grass called Karl Foerster.

Here is a long view of the back yard with the fire pit at the very back, and behind the corner of the garage you can start to see the area where Maury has all his raised bed gardens. I can only wish I had something like this. I am sure Madison and Gabe are very grateful that I don't.

And here we have a nice view across the front yard out to Douglas Road. While I was there the Crabapple tree was getting ready to bloom and you can see all the daffodils around it are blooming nicely.