JetsDevs4Lyf Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) So we ventured to the park for opening day with a bit of a different objective in mind than I'm sure most people do. For us opening day for the last few years has been about hitting up the Safari upon our arrival and then just wandering around the park, doing a few rides here and there, watching the shows, and just seeing how the day progresses. Opening day this year was no different for us. We arrived at the park around 10:30 and headed right for the Safari which was rather barren with only 4 or 5 other vehicles that we saw through the whole trip. As we began our venture into the safari, we were immediately greeted by large herds of the animals moving about together and trying to avoid the cars as they passed through. One of our favorite herds is always the Buffalo, and this day was no different. While we found the hear grazing and just sitting around, we found one lone member of the herd amusing. Not all of the animals were vehicle shy, however, and we managed to get some nice closeup visits from a few animals. It's always amazing to see how big and graceful the animals are when you get near to them. One of our close encounters came when one Ostrich decided to come up to the car and attempt to eat my inspection sticker. Not wanting to risk injuring one of the animals we entertained ourselves watching him peck at my windshield for about 10 minutes until a passing vehicle got his attention and turned him away from the car. We found more of the same from so many of the herds. They were all out and about enjoying what was a very windy, yet beautiful morning, but none wanted much to do with the vehicles passing by or us annoying people inhabiting them. I suppose I cannot blame them after a winter without us. The rhinos were surprisingly active with it being slightly frigid in the wind, as were the Elephants and various other animals. When we arrived into Giraffe country, the herd was amusing us by sticking their heads into one of the parked Safari vehicles to see what was inside. I suppose they found out those things don't have much headroom after all. Inside Lion country, we found the lone Male inside the pen with about 3 or 4 females around. In the side pen, we found a couple of younger gals who we really felt bad for as we know it can't be much fun for them in that much smaller section. Bear Country gave us some of the biggest laughs of the day. While most of the bears were clearly in an almost vegetative state it seemed. One in particular really made us laugh so hard that I had to stop the car and park it. The position this guy fell asleep in was just all around amusing, though at the same time looked rather comfy for him. The rest of the Safari trip went just as well. The animals all out enjoying the first day of the season with us all, not being overly curious about the cars, but at the same time not shying away so much that viewing them was difficult. Once we were done with the Safari, we headed off to the Exploration Station to visit the newcomers to the Lion pride's family. They were probably two of the most adorable animals I think I've seen, and I know Kristi was incredibly exited to see them. Watching them play in their cage, and listening to the tiny roars that were coming out of them as they attempting to communicate was very enjoyable, and these two are certainly a blessing to the park's family. After we finished adoring the new lion cubs, we headed into the park to get the remainder of our day underway. When we got there we found that the majority of the major attractions were shut down so we decided it would be a show day and probably nothing more. We headed over to the Golden Kingdom to see the Tigers for their first day of the season, and they were out and about in their enclosure waiting to perform and just lounging around. They always look impressive, and amazing, and this day was no different. After the Tigers we headed to the Dolphin training show, which I find to be more enjoyable than the Shiver Me Flippers show simply because it is very interesting to see the concepts and techniques behind the training of the animals to perform acts I think many of us take for granted when we go to see a performance from them. These are not dumb animals at all and the things they are able to learn to do with such little communicative abilities with us is awe inspiring. As usual the Dolphins did not disappoint and our resident Sea Lions were their usual lively and fun selves. After the Dolphin show ended we strolled around the park a little bit more, before having to head out for the day due to a prior commitment. But of course what park trip would be complete if I didn't include a picture of me posing with at least one park character. I hope you guys enjoyed and please check out my album if you would like to check out any more photos of the wildlife at Great Adventure. Edited April 8, 2009 by JetsDevs4Lyf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Up_Up_and_Away Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 In the side pen, we found a couple of younger guys who we really felt bad for as we know it can't be much fun for them in that much smaller section. These two, believe it or not, are actually much older females; like some menopausal humans, they've grown a certain amount of facial hair. This is something we learned on the VIP Safari tour... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Thanks for the update on that. I fixed the comment in my trip report, but I really never would have known they were females. Still felt bad for them though. Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Great photos Chris! I really like the one of the bear flat on his stomach. Those cubs are really cute. It is a shame that they will quickly grow and we won't have a chance to see them. They are a real draw to the Safari Exploration Station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Absolutely. I really got a kick from the expressions on the kid's faces as their parents brough them to see the cubs. So many of them were just so excited to see little the little lions playing around. They definately seem to have won over eevryone who came by to see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railer Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Nice shot's!!! Thank's for sharing them. I wasn't able to attend last weekend, I was in the middle of a move. Wait until Summer this year, I have about an Acre and a half backyard now, so Backyard Six Flags had a MAJOR expansion. I maybe going to the Park after Work tommorrow, so I'll do my first PTR of the Year. Thank's for the good pics. again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CycloneMan Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Nice TR Chris. It was nice seeing you guys again =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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