Nolan’s 5th Birthday: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

One of the kids’ new favorite shows is Wild Kratts on PBS Kids. It’s the two Kratt brothers who explore different animals, and then the show turns animated as the brothers adopt “Creature Power Suits” to learn more about each animal as they become just like it. Of course, they have to fight off some villains along the way!

We decided to throw Nolan a Wild Kratts birthday, and we kicked it off with a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. It’s a great interactive zoo, including the opportunities to feed the rhino, elephant, and giraffes! They did a lot of animal feedings and talks too, which the kids also enjoyed.

:: Australian Walkabout – Budgie Buddies. The kids got to buy seed sticks for $1 and feed parakeets and cockatiels. They absolutely loved this (and one who shall remain unnamed had a giant meltdown when it was time to leave!)

Nehemiah

Libs with Uncle Wes and Daddy

Elaine got a birdie on her stick!

:: Various Animals – including several Rocky Mountain animals!

Bald Eagle at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Bald Eagles

Sitting on the elephant’s trunk!

Mountain Lion feeding and show

Elephant show – this zoo specializes in middle aged female elephants

The grizzly bear show was pretty neat! One bear played in the water right on the kids’ level the whole time. Another did tricks and a taste test. On the right, the bear is doing “scary face”, and she doesn’t like green beans!

Hippo! I love hippos! This one was resting while his pool got cleaned!

Lion cub feeding

Moose with velvet antlers, Tiger

:: Animal feedings. One of the highlights of the day was feeding the animals! We got to feed the elephant, rhino, and giraffes. We’ll save the giraffes for another post – it was our favorite, so there are lots of pictures! The twins chickened out on feeding the elephant and needed lots of encouragement for the rhino!

Nolan feeding the elephant