Waterfowl Day

October 5, 2008

After the success of last year's waterfowl day at the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary, we kept our eye on when it would be again this year. Once again the Muskoka Wildlife Centre was there with their orphaned animals which are all native to Ontario. And once again, Sam got to pet Aroma, the stinkless skunk. We also caught a bit of the Little Ray's Reptile Zoo talk on crocodilians, where Sam got to pet the alligator Dame Chomps-a-Lot. By then we had enough information to digest, and let it all settle in while enjoying a little picnic. Finally we spotted a little bear (a blue one!) and followed him into the woods for a nice afternoon stroll.

The first animal of the day, A raccoon.

Next up is... (nope, not a beaver!)... it's a groundhog!

Samantha and Oma watching the show.

All the kids are excited to see the next animal...

It's Woody the Beaver!

Woody's teeth were misaligned when he was born and a beaver's teeth only stop growing once they meet up. So Woody's teeth had to be pulled and now he needs to have all his food cut up for him.

Hey, it's Aroma the skunk (Sam already got to pet her last year)

If Aroma stil had her stink, she could choose to aim straight, or spray wide.

She paid attention during the show and knows how to pet Aroma with 2 fingers along Aroma's back.

This cayman looks a little less friendly than those furry critters from Muskoka!

Sam gets on Opa's shoulders to get a better view
(and this way if the cayman gets loose, he'll bite opa instead of her!)

 
The differences between caymans, crocodiles and alligators seems a little lost on Sam.

And here's the alligator.

While they ramble on about the alligator's favourite food (Quebec snowbirds in Florida),
we got a great view from the tower.

Check out the size of that guy!

Sam decides to get up close and personal.

Look, Opa caught a hungry bear!

Oh, oh, the bear got away and is on the prowl!

Don't worry, Sam caught him.

Since Opa ate up the rest of the cookies, the bear is forced to dig for grubs.

Time for a walk in the woods.

A woodpecker having his lunch.