It's Spring!

Just Friday I posted some pictures that whispered winter, and here it is two days later with me posting Spring in Scottsdale. But yesterday at the zoo with Jeffrey, the signs were unmistakable.

I thought it was just the difference in climates of the two areas that caused the drastic change in climate, but not so. We were back in Payson this morning for a stake conference, and most of the snow was already gone. I was so surprised!

And I know in just 6 weeks when we're driving back, the highway will be covered with tall sunny-yellow wild flowers.

We really do have all 4 seasons here; some just come and go a little faster than others.

Good Morning!

Who needs roosters when you have buff cheeked Gibbons hanging around? We could hear them from the entrance! At first, I thought it was a sound track when Jeff asked, but it didn't take us long to find them...or for Jeff to call back. What a great way to start the day.

Until we met their neighbors breakfasting on 'meat product'. (That's what the keeper called it, anyway. Just what is 'meat product'? Gross. King vultures, not my favorite, but I can't help stopping to stare.

Our morning was in for more ugly when we stopped to watch a little community hygiene going on. Social grooming at its best and breakfast to boot!

I don't know what was going on here-but when Jeff sat along the wall, several of these guys came to join him. Sorry girls, no lice on this boy. (Whew!)

Not everyone was enthusiastic about starting the day.

Others hadn't even started yet.

I felt bad for waking this guy up. He was just so cute curled up under the tree. 

 Jeff ran for the telescope, but there was no need. Both cheetahs were up and roaming, then came and posed for the camera.

Can you see the other cheetah back against the fence waiting for his turn at breakfast?

The cheetahs were inspiring, so we decided to pick up our game and race against the clock.

Let's just say I'm glad I don't have to outrun any four legged critters to save my neck.

And there's nothing I do that's this fast.

Or, fortunately, this ugly. 

Or this cute.

and back to... ugly? Or exotic? Or angry? Or creepy or what are these guys? I don't know, but they weren't exactly thrilled with us. We didn't stay too long here, they were making me feel guilty.

But my favorite of the day...

...watching these two staring at each other? I just wish I knew what was going on in their minds. (This was right about the point Jeff tried to climb as high as he could on the fence. Really, what was he thinking?)

For an even better pic of this beautiful cat sneak over to this post.

The Zoo

Up close and personal with the zoo's welcoming committee.

Jeff and I went first to see the new Geico Gecko exhibit.

It's was actually better than I expected. We found all five geckos and had fun with the trivia blocks around the enclosure.

This guy left breakfast and came to down to peek right back at us.

 

Creepy, eh? But not as bad as this.

We went to play on the tree house (we never stop when someone else is with us.) 

Jeff was having fun climbing around-had it all to himself.

Then he called me in to show me something cool. Cool until...

 I'm a believer in letting kids develop the skill of figuring out things for themselves. With a little prompting, he was able to deduce that this nifty little contraption wasn't the 'stocks' he'd heard about from pilgrim's day, but something else entirely... Never saw the kids move so fast!

snow

Isn't it beautiful?  We already love the views as we drive to visit the missionaries in the Payson and Snowflake zones, but the snow just transformed the mountains and these little towns. It was magical!

Heber had a fresh dusting of powder sugar over everything. I know the people that live in the snow must think I'm crazy, but it's fascinating to me.

As we sat in one parking lot waiting for some missionaries, I watched the snowflakes land on the the glass and along the seam of the car window. Against the black lining, I could see each of the 6 points of the snowflakes. Incredible! I found myself wishing for a really great macro lense so I could take a picture like the one below from charlesimages.

I did venture out to take a few pictures, but since we left our heavy coats in Scottsdale, I wasn't out long. My leather heels weren't exactly made for sloshing around in the ice and snow either.

But there's something about just standing there with snow drifting down into your hair and eye lashes that is so peaceful and comforting despite the cold.

Fortunately, I was able to get a few shots out the front windshield that aren't too blurry.

Walk Like An Egyptian

Brandon loves 6th grade and his teacher Mr. Norris. They do some terrific things in class including some  whacky, creative writing projects, intense math challenges and in depth history units. Their Egypt project is the latest. He did such a great job on Tutankhamun's death mask. So proud of him!