Balloonfish (Spiny Porcupine Fish)

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

Look at that "cute" little face (acknowledging that this photo is pretty much out of focus, little buggar could swim at mega miles per hour!  LOL)

Now, go here and read all about it.  Who knew something this attractive could be so interesting.  No, we did not see one in the "balloon" state.  (And, yes, these photos are not particularly in focus either, but, I wanted to show you anyway, cause I thought (s)he was cool!)

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Fish Tanks, An Unworthy Title

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.

To call their fabulous displays a fish tank, well, almost an insult.  All displays well done, much signage and education.

A full view, isn't this just lovely??  Lighting excellent, design, likewise.

Shot through the glass, and, they are moving!

I swear that one fish, is asking, "who you looking at?"

Spotted Hyena

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.  (S)he was laying in the shade, Sony Too had to work hard to capture this beautiful creature.  Of course, what that means is it was very far away in the back of the exhibit.  Wonder what (s)he is so interested in?

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Sting Rays :: Pet Me, Pet Me!

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

Touch tank, they have their spines trimmed.  They really seem to be people crazy.  They moved about the tanks quickly and continuously, swimming right up, almost begging, puppy like, to be touched.

Pet me, PET ME!!  Here I come, PET ME!!

* All those white spots and squares and such, are reflections of the ceiling lights.  Between trying to capture these fast moving, 'in your face' creatures and the water movement and the lights, it was quite the challenge.  Flash NOT used.  And, no, I did not pet them.  I probably should have, but, well, chickened out.

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Stars & Stripes Puffer

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.  (They have 4 aquariums, quite beautiful, fascinating collection!)

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Green Moray Eel

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.

Ok, these are icky, but, fascinating at the same time.

*If you happen to be interested in learning a bit more, here is a page.

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Prickly Pear Tree ?

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In Tucson, Arizona, January 1, 2013.  Specimen was 8 to 10 feet tall.  Breathtaking!  Healthy looking.  The Chainfruit cholla nearby were also fine specimens.

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A Fungus That Looks Like a Mushroom, Is It?

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Found January 1, 2013 while geocaching in Tucson, Arizona. One white (not over interesting), and one this dusty fuzzy looking rusty color, which grabbed my attention.

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Tiger, At Dinner Time

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Photo taken from some distance, I focused through the square of the chain link fence.  I could not get to the fence, it was 10 feet or so away.  I picked one square, and centered the tiger's head in it, zoomed and shot.  He was enjoying a rack of ribs.  If he had not been having dinner I could not have been able to get a shot, since he was eating, he was still.

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Red-Bellied Piranha

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Too pretty to be such a rough character, don't you think?  According to this article, they prefer to  "feed on dead, dying, and injured vertebrates in the wild, but have been known to attack healthy animals."

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Green Iguana

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona

In the shadows, blending in:

Caught cha, in the light:

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Love Birds, Macaw Style :: Happy Valentines Day

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

I LOVE YOU!  WILL YOU BE MINE?

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American Flamingo

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

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Blue and Gold Macaw

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona.  These two beauties greeted us at the main entrance.

Thanks to Man for this last photo.

Giant Day Gecko and Friend, White's Tree Frog

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Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona. They resided behind glass by the way.

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Javelina

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January 2, 2013.  Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

I found javelina hard to photograph.  They were fast moving or hiding in the deep shade or standing right next to heavy fencing.  They are much more interesting to watch than to photograph.  You don't want to think these are cute little dudes and dudettes either.  They can be mean, try a search on the term Javelina attacks.

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