Thursday, November 19, 2009

FRIDAY SHOOT OUT: SCARBOROUGH'S MAIN ATTRACTION, THE ZOO



When we were growing up, Toronto had two zoos. One in High Park in the West of the City and one in Riverdale Park for those in the East. They were traditional zoos of their time. Animals were captured in the wild and caged with little thought of the need for exercise or of their social needs.



But in the 1970's Toronto opened a new Zoo.



A zoo committed to meeting the needs of the animals first.



Where animals had the room to move.



And socialize. And play.



Where visitors could learn about the animals they were visiting. Learn about the need to preserve the species in the wild.



Where contact with wild animals could provide what internet photos and books could never do--allow people to experience the animals directly. As something real and tangible. And in need of saving.



The grounds of the Toronto zoo are vast and themed by continent. It is almost impossible to see, and experience the entire zoo in one visit.



So if you are visiting the area plan for more than one visit. Or choose your continent wisely.



The zoo has a personal meaning for us. Not only did we take our children there when they were younger, but both our daughters worked for the zoo for a time when they were in school. Heather took children for rides on camels and Kathy was a grounds keeper. And Kathy's mother-in-Law, Ruth, also works at the zoo.

The Toronto Zoo is situated on the Eastern periphery of the City far from the downtown core, in the vast forests of the Rouge Valley. So if you are visiting it will mean quite a drive to get there, although public transportation is improving.

For us, the zoo is almost on our doorstep.

33 comments:

  1. Morning you two - when I saw your chosen topic I was (mentally) clapping my hands in glee. Zoos in any town are always one of my favorite visits... I haven't been to one since my last grandchild passed ten... too bad I love them so. Your photo of the Flamingos is wonderful,
    hugs and kisses

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  2. Hi Ginger. We don't get there as often either (especially Barry). Linda is a teacher and takes her class to the zoo once a year. In fact most of these pictures were taken on her last class trip.

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  3. i remember trips to high park and riverdale zoo when i was a boy. the metro zoo was off the visiting list just because i was "too old" for that sort of thing! ha!!! i went back as an adult and loved it. my wife runs a 10k there every year. it's a beautiful beautiful place. thanks for sharing this barry and linda! steven

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  4. We all love a zoo. We have to go 50 miles into the city to go to the zoo, but it is worth it.
    My home town is famous for My Old Kentucky Home, which is now a state park with outdoor amphitheater, golf course, gift shop and great hall for weddings receptions etc. I had too much on my post today to post that. Your photos are great.
    QMM

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  5. Good choice and so many photo ops! Love all those flamingos...they almost look, well, like the fake ones!

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  6. What were they thinking ... planting all of those phony, pink flamingos? ;)

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  7. I have a love/hate relationship with zoos. While I love visiting I have taken to avoiding any indoor large mammal houses as I really think the animals look depressed.

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  8. I haven't bee to a REAL zoo since I was a kid, but I do love the animals so much. This is a great theme and like everyone else, I love the photo of the flamingos.

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  9. I like the rhino picture the best. It makes me feel like charing. Rhino's have always been one of my favorites. Great pictures.

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  10. Are zebra black animals with white stripes? Or white animals with black stripes? :)

    There isn't a big zoo in my hometown. The first time I saw one was when I was 16 years old and I loved it so much. I fed the giraffe and it was scary. Hahaha :)

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  11. I love zoo's and aquariums, and do not get to them as much as I would like...I did however over hear two mean while in the studio discussing the wilds of Africa safaris they had been on, and it made my moose story last week seem like...like nothing...and why is it when I go the animals are always sleeping? HA!

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  12. I haven't been to the Toronto Zoo for many years and I'm overdue to visit. i missed last year's shark exhibit because I couldn't make time to go. I have got it on my agenda for the near future though. You are right that it is a massive amount of walking and the times I have been there we never saw everything. My favourite exhibit at that time was the polar bears and watching them swimming and playing in the water through the glass down below.

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  13. I haven't been to the zoo in years, but the images of a zoo immediately take my mind back there. Thank you for that, Barry and Linda. You are both very gifted photographers, but you also provided me with a nice mental jaunt down memory lane :-)

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  14. Barry and Linda, now you have everyone reminiscing (is that how you spell it?) and planning trips to the zoo. I had to give myself a little shake to bring myself back to the present after seeing your elephant. Like the others, I love the flamingos shot.

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  15. Oh this is a trip down memory lane, bringing to mind childhood trips to the zoo in Montreal (the fishtank in the little fish-shaped pavillion), taking my son to the Buffalo Zoo (straight out of Curious George, and probably not enough room for any of the creatures), and of course the hours and shoe-leather spent at the Toronto Zoo.
    Great photos of a place that's always worth another visit!

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  16. I simply cannot pick a favorite. I love animals and the zoo. :)

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  17. I love the animals at the zoo, but have only ever been able to make it to one - in all of my 37 years. Can you believe that?! Being so close to Canada, here in VT and the closest I've ever been to a zoo was Parc Safari....

    Barry, thank you for visiting today. I most likely will continue posting here and there for the Friday Shoot Out's, I suppose I just can't commit to it. I will, however, be in to visit the two of you more often.

    :) Bless you both.

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  18. looks like a marvelous zoo! they have improved the zoos so much over time for the comfort of the animals. I still believe the animals should be free though. sorry. nice to see them, but I feel sorry for them being caged, etc. flamingos and the elephant would be my favs!!

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  19. Oh I just love your shoot out!! I sooo miss the zoo...yours looks wonderful!! The closest one to us is about 6 hours away! Wonderful shoot out folks!! Hugs and hoping things are well!! Sarah

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  20. I loved all of your photos! Oh, if I only lived by a zoo! I'd be there all the time. I would. Thanks for sharing your wealth!

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  21. Great pictures, especially the butterfly. I've never enjoyed zoos as they are usually hot and smelly, but your post made me rethink that.

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  22. You two are what the shoot outs are about, I think. After every one of your shoot out posts, I WANT to visit your world!

    Great post!

    hugs-
    Patience

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  23. What a zoo; it looks like you visited Africa for sure. Sometimes zoos are sad places, but this one seems to meet the needs of the animals really well. I would love to visit it. And I bet it was a great place for your daughters to work.

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  24. I love visiting in Toronto's zoos. Thanks for tour. Great teamwork Barry and Linda! I love that paw's print.

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  25. In San Diego there's a great animal park, but unfortunately the animals do not have as much "room" as the one you showed. That was great -thanks for sharing! And get your strength back up Barry:)

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  26. Hi Linda and Barry,
    Zoos are great - for people. It's heartening to know that some zoos are wising up and building enclosures for the animals that let them live with some semblance of a life (space to roam, places to hide, company). I hope this trend continues!
    All the best to you both,
    -Nancy

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  27. I love zoos that really care for the animals, and am very fortunate to have boys who are still of ages that they love it too, AND the oldest wants to be a zookeeper, so I may indeed have a lifetime of zoo visits!

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  28. this is a pretty cool tour you've given us.
    :-)

    thank you,

    ..
    .ero

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  29. I used to detest zoos - but when they began the zoos that were more "animal friendly" I didn't mind them as much! But, it has been so long since I've been to a zoo - I am not even sure where a zoo is here in WNC!

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  30. Love your pictures and I love the philosophy of the zoo.

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  31. Aww, I love zoos! The one here in Kansas City re-did its enclosures not too long ago, too, to make everything much more natural for the animals. I love it now that it's changed. I hope that Barry is feeling well :)

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  32. Ka pa Toronto. This means good job.
    What you do when the ground have 6 inches of snow?

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  33. Or three feet of snow, for that matter Ann.

    Animals with no natural protection against the cold are moved indoors.

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