This one always hides from me. On my previous visit to the zoo, she ran and hid in her home as soon as I came near the cage. For this visit, she sat in a sleepy pose, only once looking alert when a bird flew close to her cage.

I'm not sure what they fed her (nor do I really want to know), but she sure did like it.

This guy came right up to the fence, hopped up on the stone wall that separated us, and spread its wings. Then it proceeded to groom itself in front of me.

I guess that's a friendly gesture...

I really enjoyed the bird area at the National Zoo last weekend.

A friendly fellow at the National Zoo.

Although it is hard to see, two Macaws were grooming each other in the early morning at the National Zoo.

I visited the National Zoo this past weekend. The new elephant habitat is looking amazing as it closes within a year of opening. Ahead of the game are the local deer who have, by appearances, claimed the new area for themselves.

It is common to sneak up on deer early in the morning at the zoo. Like me, they also seem to like the bird house as a place to visit first thing after dawn.

Only not burrowing.

Taken at the National Zoo last month.

Taken on my last trip to the National Zoo before the recent cold spell.

He (or she, maybe) held a paw up to the glass to pseudo-touch my finger. Needless to say, that made my morning.

As, I suppose, most babies do.

Zooborns documents her original-assembly size.

The lions were walking about, watching the people with a certain interest. We were just about to walk away when something caught my eye. You could say I've been around cats too long, but I could just tell they were up to something.

Then, the wrestling began.

Having just left the reptile house, I had my shutter speed set really low, so I captured a bunch of nice, blurry cat antics. But if nothing else, it displays motion.

After the quick match, they calmed down.

Everybody has the same reaction to the Alligator Snapping Turtle.

It is a curious, curious, curious look, revelation as to what the turtle is, then a startled jump backwards.

Some little girl ran up to the glass and yelled at the poor guy, "I don't like you." Oddly, the turtle responded by swimming around madly, causing the girl to run off. I suspect I wasn't the only one who, in turn, didn't like the girl.

"Wait, don't take my picture yet...let me open my mouth all scary like."

Actually, this guy was a little shy.

But not the Asian Water Dragon. It was standing at the glass watching everybody in the building with great interest.

Whatever had the zoo animals acting goofy that Saturday, the reptiles were certainly in on it.