Toronto Zoo.

We decided to hit the zoo today. It was the perfect weather for it. I think the top temperature was about 9 degrees but it was sunny and not too windy. We really wanted to see the Canadian and North American animals before it gets too icy and they all hibernate!

So off we went. It's about a 30 minute drive from our house to the zoo. Though the drive home took considerably longer, you can never predict the traffic in Toronto.

There are so many great things about the zoo here. Probably my favourite part is the size of it. It's so expansive and just gorgeous in the Fall. But that also means a lot of walking, so we only covered half of it in one day. That's where a membership is really handy. (Yep, that's the sound of our bank account hemorrhaging money...)
Here is a slice of the enormous quantity of photos I took today. There's still too many here, but, whatevs...

An example of the look of the zoo today. We could have happily wandered through the scenery for hours.

But we had some North American critters to see.

Seriously. Polar bears! We were gobsmacked by their grace and beauty, and size!

 

Arctic wolves. We would turn around from the polar bears and there would be a half dozen wolves just standing there watching us. Creepy (glad they had a good fence around them) but beautiful.

Poppet got so excited when she saw ice on one of the benches. Guess she's ready for the snow!

The Snowy Owl was rather cool too.

We had to suffer these vistas at every turn. Unbelievable scenery.

No Tundra is complete without it's own teepee.

We happened upon the Giraffes being let out of their dens. It must be a little cold for them in the mornings, so they emerged just before lunch. We were SO close! I love giraffes.

And then the kids got distracted by the autumn leaves. As you do.

And then, you know, there were hills to run down....

Gee, don't get up on our account.

Or you, big guy.

Look at this fatty having a nap. Glad he's nowhere near our trash.

It was an incredibly long way down to the bears and mooses. Poppet gave up the ghost, and her lovely companion allowed her to share his stroller. Lucky Dad got to heave them up the mountain. Yeah, I just watched, took some photos, had a chat to friends...

I couldn't finish up without sharing a photo of my favourite animal of the day. Pygmy Hippos. What's not to love?! They were happily munching on pumpkins and it was love at first sight for all of us.

Speaking of pumpkins, tomorrow is Halloween! Poppet is going to school dressed up and they are doing a parade around the neighbourhood before lunch. Then it's just a day of fun and activities, some quick dinner and some serious trick or treating. Can. Not. Wait.