Yesterday was my youngest grandson's birthday and our annual family trip to the Milwaukee zoo. Two things stand out; one was the

camel enclosure. Inside, besides the camels, were a whole flock of female peacocks and one huge male. Well, as us males are so apt

to do, this big male could not resist the temptation to show his stuff and he proudly displayed that huge colorful plumage for all

the chicks. This was not lost on one of the camels, who took immediate offense at this wanton display and came running at a pretty

brisk pace and tried to step on the peacock. He actually chased him down into the moat and I enjoyed every second of it. The

second thing was finding two half grown raccoons that were checking out all the crazy zoo visitors from their obvious birth place

under some of those fake rocks by the outside lion enclosure. So here are my son and I making baby raccoon squeals trying to

entice them further out of their hiding place while all the spectators are looking at us like we're nuts. I did take the time to

explain to some of them that we catch raccoons, among other things, for a living. I have to admit that I had just as much fun as

the kids!

Were you trying to coax them In to the lions enclosure?

That pair of lazy lions would expect you to cook and serve them. I think what we were trying to do is get them close enough to grab

them and then get bit in front of the family and a couple thousand strangers. Our minds don't works like normal people and in this

particular circumstance I don't think they were working at all.

Glad to know im not the only ones who talk to the animals at the zoo!

I've been to the Milwaukee Zoo; Laura and I are Zoo Parents at the (world-famous, FREE!) St. Louis Zoo. If personal experience is any reliable indicator, I'd say
1. Zoos are full of pest wildlife like raccoons, squirrels and house sparrows.
2. Peafowl think they own the place.