Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Oregon Zoo

We’re Getting A Nora Bear!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

So we’re having a heat wave today with red flag warnings, high winds and locusts it seems. Temps to hit about 103 today. So what do I find out from the Oregon Zoo? Nora the Polar Bear is coming to live in Portland! She is a bubble dancer too.

Thank you Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. We will take very good care of her.

And seriously, we will haul in tons of ice for the young polar bear princess. Can’t wait to see her when she gets here. She’s a star!

Happy Quirky Friday and have a safe, cool weekend!

Do You Make Toys For Your Lion?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                      (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Time to check in with the Oregon Zoo and see what’s up. Appears to be the lions! Everybody needs exercise and that includes the big cats. Watch this fabulous behind the scenes video of how zookeepers keep the big guys in shape with toys dangled from the roof. Here kitty, kitty…

I buy tons of toys for Spec Ops Cat, but his favorites are the twist ties off the new power cords and the paper bags and boxes. Just like the big cats.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Juliet Gazelle Is A Track Star!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

The sun is out, it’s going to be maybe 86 degrees on Monday and Oregon Zoo baby gazelle Juliet is burning rubber! The wacky wet winter here in Oregon now seems like Spring is racing into summer.

Can’t blame Juliet for enjoying her speed and the sun. She almost didn’t make it as a baby, so now five months later she’s a healthy girl getting her groove on. The camera can’t even keep up with her at times. Juliet could go out for the Oregon Ducks track team no problem.

Have a great Quirky Weekend and run like Juliet!

Can Your Tiger Play Soccer?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

The sun is finally out and it’s time to get in shape. Seems we should all follow Mik’s lead and stay limber by playing more soccer. This aging Oregon Zoo resident is keeping in top form with a fitness work out plan. Maybe the Thorns and Timbers need to check out his moves.

Spring is here, summer is on the way. Let’s play ball!

Is it Pachyderm Pool Time?

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

While everyone else is getting ready for Valentine’s Day, hoard the chocolate, the fabulous Oregon Zoo pachyderms were frolicking in their new pool last week. When I saw this video clip I so wanted the Beach Boys song “Surfin USA” playing in the background. Our elephants know how to have a pachyderm splash pool party! Go Lily!

Have a great weekend, Happy Valentine’s Day to everybody, and Happy Quirky Friday!

Are You Ready To Take Spring Snapshots?

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Last Tuesday Velda the hedgehog at the Oregon Zoo predicted an early Spring. Seems Phil the Groundhog said the same thing, but Velda has a better record than Phil, so hedgehogs rock! True to both their predictions, signs of the coming Spring abounded this past weekend.

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Real live crocus. Yes!

 

On my way to my writer group, I stopped at my carpool buddy’s house. She needed to take her dog Amos, a Corgi, for a quick walk before we left. Amos was not too thrilled about the “quick” part of the walk, he wanted to mosey. I couldn’t blame him. So while they were off finding the perfect tree, I wandered in her front yard taking photos.

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How is this for a pink beauty? I have no idea what it’s called besides pretty!

 

My carpool buddy is a member of the camellia society and you can see why. I could not resist the pictures. So here are a few of my favorites.

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Another stunner. How gorgeous is this?

Not to be outdone, these red berry things looked gorgeous too. They felt like the holidays but looked like Spring. How do they do that?

 

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Pretty to look at but I bet you shouldn’t eat them; whatever they’re named.

 

Then the next day on my way back from the grocery store Super Bowl morning, I took a wrong turn but ended up with a perfect view of Mt. Hood. We say “the mountain is out” around here when we can see it, so this gorgeous sunny Sunday was the perfect time to get a picture of her with all her snow.

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Gorgeous Mt. Hood, no longer naked, but with a fresh coat of snow. She’s a beauty! 

So have camera will travel! Right around my own neighborhood. Are you ready to take Spring snapshots?