tigertiger
Well-Known Member
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When I was a little kid, my father would take me to the Queens Zoo on his one day off of work. I used to love it--he used to get bored easy. I do think that's true of the zoo as a whole as my impressions law below.
When arriving at the gates of the zoo you can go one of two ways: to the one side is the formal part of the zoo and the other is the Domestic Animals Zoo (essentially a petting zoo). I went to the formal zoo first.
The first thing when entering the zoo is the Wildfowl Marsh. There's no better word to describe it than quaint. Adoring the railings in select locations are vending machines where you can buy pellets to feed the birds. There are--from what I can tell--a good proliferation of mallard ducks and the like in the marsh. It's aesthetically pretty but as far as species, none too spectacular.
The seasonal display of American Alligators is a small area with two alligators. Strikingly, one is rather close to these creatures and without any enclosure or the like. As the animals do little movement, the display isn't the showstopper of the zoo.
Towards the end of the marsh is scenic little enclave with more pellets and a set of sandhill cranes. They weren't too intrested in being seen the day I went. I was more torn to the massive amounts of fencing that took away from the otherwise pretty area.
The lynx was next. The cat looked sad. He was pacing when I was there. The enclosure is large enough for a cat of it's size but at the same time, the fencing barrier between the visitor and the cat really took away from the display. It was also--lighting wise--rather dysmal.
The Puma was clearly the showstopper of the zoo. I went through the zoo twice. The first time, neither of them were anywhere to be seen in either of the two viewing areas. On my second time around, I found myself running to the second display giddly going "yay puma!" Both of them were active and had no problem coming right up against the glass. I watched the two play together, with a fly, groom and generally pace. I wonder if the display is a little on the small side for two pumas so active but getting a chance to see these gorgeous cats up close truly made my week.
The Barred Owl was next. There's a cute little discovery display for children surrounding his cage (there's another one on the other side of the Aviary). The owls sad little space didn't make for much of a presentation. I was more interested in the picture-taking some children were doing a few feet away.
The Aviary was such a treat! The winding pathways that go through the whole thing make the dome feel so much larger than life. You're literally enclosed in a wolrd of birds. They fly overhead, howl and tweet to their hearts desire. I literally had several egrets fly over my head--one landing inches from me. The whole dome was such a treat!
The Roosevelt Elk had perhaps the largest enclosure on the grounds but were all hundled away for the day--hiding in a little parcel of water towards the side of the display.
The Coyote display wasn't all too interesting for me either but I do think it was rather large for the 3 that I counted.
The Sea Lions! I've never seen such a gorgeous sea lion display! However, they spent the day under water both times I looked for them. While I was leaving, I could hear them during their feeding.
The Bison and Proghorn Antelopes are in one enclosure. The Bison is startling. I could stare at them for hours.
The Pud--for being the world's smallest deer---also had the world's smallest space! One was hiding up against the glass while I was there but he was the cutest little thing.
The Bald Eagle had a measly little territory where he just looked at me.
I didn't see any thick-pilled parrots when I went to look but the exhibit as a whole was vast and amazing--in comparission to the rest of the zoo.
The Spectacled Bears had a giant land on which to roam. I was able to see one taking a nap. I love the display--my only complaint would be that much of their 'natural' terrain is the same color as the bear and they are easily hidden!
I went across the to domestic animal section (free with admission) and fed a few goats and cows. The llama seemed to like me. These animals are hams for attention (and food) and a sheep stole all my pellets before his friends could. Two giant rabbits were curled up napping.
All in in all, the zoo is a nice hour or two treat but it's definately something that kids will enjoy far more. It's hard to get excited about the zoo when hours away is the mecca of animal conservation--the Bronx Zoo.
When I was a little kid, my father would take me to the Queens Zoo on his one day off of work. I used to love it--he used to get bored easy. I do think that's true of the zoo as a whole as my impressions law below.
When arriving at the gates of the zoo you can go one of two ways: to the one side is the formal part of the zoo and the other is the Domestic Animals Zoo (essentially a petting zoo). I went to the formal zoo first.
The first thing when entering the zoo is the Wildfowl Marsh. There's no better word to describe it than quaint. Adoring the railings in select locations are vending machines where you can buy pellets to feed the birds. There are--from what I can tell--a good proliferation of mallard ducks and the like in the marsh. It's aesthetically pretty but as far as species, none too spectacular.
The seasonal display of American Alligators is a small area with two alligators. Strikingly, one is rather close to these creatures and without any enclosure or the like. As the animals do little movement, the display isn't the showstopper of the zoo.
Towards the end of the marsh is scenic little enclave with more pellets and a set of sandhill cranes. They weren't too intrested in being seen the day I went. I was more torn to the massive amounts of fencing that took away from the otherwise pretty area.
The lynx was next. The cat looked sad. He was pacing when I was there. The enclosure is large enough for a cat of it's size but at the same time, the fencing barrier between the visitor and the cat really took away from the display. It was also--lighting wise--rather dysmal.
The Puma was clearly the showstopper of the zoo. I went through the zoo twice. The first time, neither of them were anywhere to be seen in either of the two viewing areas. On my second time around, I found myself running to the second display giddly going "yay puma!" Both of them were active and had no problem coming right up against the glass. I watched the two play together, with a fly, groom and generally pace. I wonder if the display is a little on the small side for two pumas so active but getting a chance to see these gorgeous cats up close truly made my week.
The Barred Owl was next. There's a cute little discovery display for children surrounding his cage (there's another one on the other side of the Aviary). The owls sad little space didn't make for much of a presentation. I was more interested in the picture-taking some children were doing a few feet away.
The Aviary was such a treat! The winding pathways that go through the whole thing make the dome feel so much larger than life. You're literally enclosed in a wolrd of birds. They fly overhead, howl and tweet to their hearts desire. I literally had several egrets fly over my head--one landing inches from me. The whole dome was such a treat!
The Roosevelt Elk had perhaps the largest enclosure on the grounds but were all hundled away for the day--hiding in a little parcel of water towards the side of the display.
The Coyote display wasn't all too interesting for me either but I do think it was rather large for the 3 that I counted.
The Sea Lions! I've never seen such a gorgeous sea lion display! However, they spent the day under water both times I looked for them. While I was leaving, I could hear them during their feeding.
The Bison and Proghorn Antelopes are in one enclosure. The Bison is startling. I could stare at them for hours.
The Pud--for being the world's smallest deer---also had the world's smallest space! One was hiding up against the glass while I was there but he was the cutest little thing.
The Bald Eagle had a measly little territory where he just looked at me.
I didn't see any thick-pilled parrots when I went to look but the exhibit as a whole was vast and amazing--in comparission to the rest of the zoo.
The Spectacled Bears had a giant land on which to roam. I was able to see one taking a nap. I love the display--my only complaint would be that much of their 'natural' terrain is the same color as the bear and they are easily hidden!
I went across the to domestic animal section (free with admission) and fed a few goats and cows. The llama seemed to like me. These animals are hams for attention (and food) and a sheep stole all my pellets before his friends could. Two giant rabbits were curled up napping.
All in in all, the zoo is a nice hour or two treat but it's definately something that kids will enjoy far more. It's hard to get excited about the zoo when hours away is the mecca of animal conservation--the Bronx Zoo.
