April 15, 2022
9:30 to 13:30
Today, I took Vertebrate Biology on our annual visit to Safari West, and it was fantastic as usual! In addition to the collection animals, I saw a respectable amount of native wildlife, as well. In this post, I’ll focus first on the wildlife, and at the end I’ll share some of my favorite photos of captive animals.
When we first arrived, I heard some birdsong that I didn’t recognize, and caught a glimpse of a brightly-colored bird, but I wasn’t able to pin down the ID (yet). Then, not long after we arrived, we headed out on the jeep tour.
First stop: the Rhinos. Eesha was looking magnificent, as usual, as was her companion (I don’t remember his name – maybe Ongavo). In and around the enclosure, I also spied some native wildlife: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and a few California Ground Squirrel scampering around the enclosure. I also saw a few wild Wood Duck when we passed by the lake.
As we continued on the tour, we saw more great collection animals, along with a wide variety of birds: Oregon Junco that appeared to collecting nest material, pairs of Western Bluebird, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpecker, and Canada Goose. I also saw some lovely Turkey Tail and Ookow flowers.
Near the end of the tour, it was wonderful to see a mama and nursing baby Roan Antelope, and of course, giraffes. There was also a majestic (wild) Great Egret perched near some of the enclosures. Super gorgeous.
Next stop: Flamingos! (And some wild Mallard).
Now, we visited my favorite part of the park – the walk-in aviary. So many gorgeous birds! Here’s a selection of my favorite photos.
After the aviary, we wandered around the rest of the enclosures, where I saw some cool captive animals, and some great wildlife. I finally solved the puzzle of the bird I’d heard first thing: Bullock’s Oriole. So gorgeous! Also saw Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, and a Western Skink.
We still had one more adventure – we were allowed to feed the giraffes! THIS WAS SO COOL! They’re so precious, and it was amazing to see them so close up. LOVE!
It was another fantastic visit to Safari West – many thanks for our gracious host, Erika Defer!
Species List
Wildlife Seen: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii), Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta), Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens), Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), Yellow Warbler* (Setophaga petechia), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus), Ookow (Dichelostemma congestum), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
*Heard only
Let me know what you think!