After our first major snowstorm

HAPPY snowy CANADIAN THANKSGIVING!

After a couple of fairly sunny days, we are back to another snowfall this morning, 8 October 2018. Our first major snowstorm blew in at the beginning of October and now here comes the second one. I wonder if we will end up getting fall or if we are more or less going straight from summer to winter. Our temperature this morning is -2C (windchill -8C) - the norm is around 15C and we have been way below average for weeks now. Not to mention all the rain we have had.

Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place.

This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and that long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm.

Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding.

I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.