Parco Natura Viva & Safari *40 pictures* now all uploaded

This zoo, safari & research center is in Verona. (Home of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet) Habitats are fabulous. The animals are in fabulous condition and seem quite laid back and natural in their enviornment. I took over 350 pictures and once I went through them deleted about 100 of them. Some are quite good IMO others are just personal decent 'family' photo quality.

Anyway I will shut up now and post the pics. I will select about 40 and then link to my album so you can view the rest. If anyone wants to use a photo please ask permission first. I will normally say yes. Please bare with me while I finish uploading. It may be a little while between posts. 5 pics per post.

#1. This was the first thing we seen as we entered the safari. Giraffe
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130007.jpg

#2. These guys were running around mad. I caught them in a moment when they were taking a breather. Ostrich
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130001.jpg

#3. There was a new addition to this fabulous family. Baby Gnu
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130016.jpg

#4. Papa wasn't too happy about us being so close so he decided to try and stick his head in the window (windows were suppose to be closed...oops) and when it was closed before he could get his head in he gave our back side window a good rap with his horn. Papa Gnu
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130020.jpg

#5. These gorgeous guys were just standing around watching the world go by. They didn't seem to interested in us at all. Indian Cattle(not sure of the correct name)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130019.jpg

More coming

#6. These guys were all vegged out. Relaxing in the shade for the most part. They were so calm and tranquil. Antelope (not sure of the type exactly)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130024.jpg

#7. I just love these mischievious little guys. They are too cute for words. They also had a really nice habitat. Black & White Lemurs
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130033.jpg

#8. These guys were hanging out around the Lemur habitat. There is a lovely pond there. Duck (don't know the type)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130042.jpg

#9. These guys were in constant motion. Running around and playing. Back and forth to their feeding area. Zebra
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130027.jpg

#10. These guys was in hot pursuit of his momma. He was a new born this year. Baby Giraffe
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130026.jpg

more coming

#11. This little guy was very interested in us. He was up on a bank and watching us quite intently. Some kind of goat.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130057.jpg

#12. This girl stood still and watched us long enough for me to take a few pictures of her. When I finished she left. hehhehe Not sure what she is but I think some kind of deer.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130063.jpg

#13. These guys were taking a stroll up the middle of the street and along the side. When we got through I took a picture out the window behind us and found they had completely blocked the cars behind us.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130045.jpg

#14. I know out of focus but oh so cute. Llama butts
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130068.jpg

#15. King of the Jungle. The beauiful and majectic Lion
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130071.jpg

more coming

#16. THE KING
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130077.jpg

#17. Gorgeous White Lion
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130082.jpg

#18. One of the white lion's ladies
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130085.jpg


#19. The big beautiful and awesome Rhino
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130091.jpg

#20. The only good picture we got of the chimpanzees. Pretty well all the others were trashed.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130116.jpg

That's it for the safari. Next 20 will be from the zoo.

more coming in awhile. Gonna upload all the zoo pics before I post them.

WOW! Those pictures are awesome! And the animals are so cool :D I soo want to go now!

~Abigail

Very nice pictures! :D I love 11,15,and 16. :)

Awsome Pics!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! fabulous job!!:D

Sorry about the delay on the zoo pics. My internet crashed on me again while I was uplading the pictures yesterday and is only now back up.

#21. This guy was hilarious. He was just vegging out and watching the people go by. When we stopped about 4 or 5 others stop to see him too and I know it was coincidence but when I went to take his picture he did this.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130145.jpg

#22. I have no idea what this bird is called. But they were so cool.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130156.jpg

#23.One of my favorite little guys. The Red Lemur. We searched and searched for these guys. And finally after about 20 minutes or so I spotted this cutie pie hanging out and munching in one of the trees.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130174.jpg

#24. Something strange going on with this body part. Investigation is necessary.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130184.jpg

#25. Gorgeous and very pregnant Cougar. She should be giving birth within the next week.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130192.jpg

more coming

#26. What a doll this guy was. I think he is called a Spectacled Bear
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130202.jpg

#27. Ringtailed Lemur having a munch on a chunk of pineapple
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130205.jpg

#28. Look at the mischievious little look on this guy.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130203.jpg

#29. Don't remember for the life of me the name of this guy but I remember he is some kind of falcon. But I am thinking he may be a crested falcon.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130220.jpg

#30. Peacock anyone. These guys were free roaming all over the zoo and safari.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130227.jpg

more coming

#31. Green Iguana. These guys roam free throughout the 'tropical rainforest pavillion'
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130258.jpg

#32. Cottonhead Tamrin. I catch this guy just as he was stuffing a piece of fruit in his mouth.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130259.jpg

#33. I can't remember the name of this little guy but he is extremely rare and they were very excited cause there was a baby born to the couple this year.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130262.jpg

#34. Gorgeous horses. They are a specific breed I don't remember ever hearing of before. They are called Przewalski's Horse.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130268.jpg

#35. A pair of black swans. There was a flock of about 10 or 12 there.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130285.jpg

one more post with 5 more pictures.

#36. This little guys was one of a large family. A cute as a button Walaby
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130290.jpg

#37. European Wildcat. They were absolutely gorgeous.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130325.jpg

#38. They say this guy is native to Australia (Any of our Aussie members know what he is?) I can't remember what he is but he is suppose to be some type of wolf. Looks very foxlike but the size of a wolf.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130342.jpg

#39. Absolutely awesome owl. Once again not sure of his breed.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130345.jpg

#40. Mamma & baby Bison. The little one was so cute to watch. He was running around and bucking and jumping everywhere.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...7_09130347.jpg

That's all folks. Sorry again it took so long to get them up.
Here is the link if you want to see the rest of the album.

Parco Natura Viva & Safari Album

I could only see about 10 pictures as it takes forever to load them but they are gorgeous. I had no idea they have such a nice zoo in Verona.

Edited: the second time more pictures showed up. I love (of course) the European wildkitten #37 :D

;) WoW Michelle great pics.. All pics are adorable.. many thanks

Is this the custom in Europe? To drive through the animal park? I am curious as it appeared in KK's thread last week and again here.

How close to the animals are you when you are driving through?

Wonderful pics too!

Not Only In Europe But They Have The African Wild Safari About 50 Miles From Hamilton Where You Drive Right Through.
I Know A Fellow Who Siaturbed A Baboon By Honking At Him And The Baboon In A Feat Of Power Ripped The Mirrors Off The Car.
Those Are Such Fantastic Photos Michelle And Its Amazing The Sheer Number Of Creatures Created By Our Lord God Above.

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing these with us.:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

Is this the custom in Europe? To drive through the animal park? I am curious as it appeared in KK's thread last week and again here.

How close to the animals are you when you are driving through?

Wonderful pics too!

---

Not really a custom. Some places all over the world have them. Like Gary said there is one in Hamilton called 'African Lion Safari' that one is much larger than here.

The animals are extremely close. The lioness with the 3 males passed directly behind our car. The first giraffe was have a munch on the antenna of the car in front of us. And the big papa Gnu tried to stuff his head in my window. I could have kissed his nose without moving. I actually had to pull my head back so as to not be too close to get clocked with his horn which he proceeded to nail our window with.



Thanks everyone for the lovely comments. I am glad you enjoyed them. :)

Michelle

Absolutely gorgeous photography!
I remember that my trip to the Fuji Safari Park in Japan was one of the best experiences that I had while living in Japan. Being so close to the animals is priceless. Everyone should visit a safari park at least once in their life :) At the one in Japan we actually FED lions and bears using these long metal tongs and reaching them through slots in the side of their bus.