Whenever we go to a zoo, we try to arrive right at opening time,
early in the morning, when the animals are awake and walking around

These way-cool leopards weren't here when we came last year

We took a boat ride to the various islands where they keep the monkeys

These furry fellows with the beautiful tails are colobus monkeys

The Naples Zoo has several winding paths, and you never know what you find around the next bend...

Being in Florida, it has, of course, many alligators, all of them very large and very impressive

It also has a playground, where we sat down for a bit and the girls climbed around

I'm often calling Beth "Monkey Girl," but maybe that nickname could apply to Ally, too
Okay, so the girls aren't the only ones who like to goof around on the playground....

Joni can't resist feeding animals, even if she's not a big fan of most birds

We saw an African wild dog, and a serval, Joni's favorite wild cat. 
We also watched the alligators being fed. Alas, no small children were actually involved in said feeding...

A desert tortoise and a kudu. It seems like he was watching me as much as I was watching him

As morning became afternoon, the animals settled into their naps, and we headed out.
Before we left, I had to see my favorite animals, the tigers

Alas, no children being fed to the tigers, either. Maybe next time!

Photos from Naples, Florida, 01/2008