I went on up, to the Audubon Zoo

"I went on up, to the Audubon Zoo" (The Meters)

We lived in New Orleans for several years in the 80's and 90's. We discovered the Audubon Zoo after our first child was born. The Zoo is truly the best thing about New Orleans, period. We enjoyed strolling through the gardens and viewing all the animals and teaching their names to our sons. We usually timed our visit such that we would end up at the Lousiana Swamp exhibit at about lunch time. Those hotdogs at the little swamp cafe were the best! The swamp exhibit contained the famous white alligators and the most terrifying swamp monster you'll ever see!

Well, we recently realized that Jennifer had not been to the New Orleans zoo since being old enough to remember, so we "went on up, to the Audubon Zoo." Most of the zoo survived the hurricane intact with a few notable exceptions. It was sad to see that some of the newer buildings have fallen into disrepair. It is still a great zoo, though. Jennifer thoroughly enjoyed it, except for one thing... the swamp monster!

It was threatening rain all day, but we're glad we didn't cancel the trip. I had to use a high ISO all day, but still had some great photographic encounters with the wildlife. In fact, I think they preferred the cool, damp weather. After visiting the zoo, we went on up to the aquarium, and then to the insectarium. Here are some of my favorite photos from that day...
(Click on any image to enlarge)

They All Ask'd For You - The Meters

: (The definitive lyrics)  (Go here to hear the music:  http://www.rhapsody.com/the-meters/the-very-best-of-the-meters/they-all-askd-for-you/lyrics.html  click "play", then on popup, "continue play".)
: --------------------------------------------
: Es la bas
: Crawfish Etoufee (crawfish)
: Day all axt fuh you
: I wennon down to dee Audubon Zoo
: An day all axt fuh you
: day all axt fuh you, (fuh who?)
: Well day even inquired about chuh'
: I wennon down to dee Audubon Zoo
: And day all axt fuh you
: Duh mounkeys ast, duh tiguhs ast
: And duh elephant axt me too
: Andouille
: Red beans. Rice.
: Bomp Bomp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: Es la bas (Es la bas) (Es la bas)
: Red beans n' rice
: Creole gumbo
: I wennon up to duh Big Ol' Sky
: And day all axt fuh you (fuh who?)
: day all axt fuh you,
: Well day even inquired about chuh
: I wennon up to duh Big Ol' Sky
: And day all axt fuh you
: duh ducks ast , duh eagles ast
: And duh buzzard axt me too
: Do it to it
: Es la bas (Es la bas)
: Laissez bon temps rouler
: Bomp Bomp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: Hey la bas (hey la bas)
: Grits n' fish drippins
: Un e crawfish bischien l'etouffee,
: boil willin' n' tomato pase
: do it!
: puh-chall hans tuh-gethuh.
: I wennon down to duh deep blue sea
: And day all axd fuh you (fuh who?)
: day all axt fuh you, (fuh me?)
: Well day even enquired about chuh.
: I wennon down to duh deep blue sea
: And day all axd fuh you (fuh me?)
: duh shark ast , duh whale ast
: And duh barracuda axt me too
: day all axt fuh you (in nuh mornin)
: all axt fuh you (early inuh mornin)
: Evybody der
: wanna know where
: day all axt fuh you
: day all axt fuh you (early inuh mornin)
: day all axt fuh you (early inuh eevnan)
: Evybody der
: wanna know where
: day all axt fuh you
: yeah.