Bank sponsors free zoo visit

The Phoenix Zoo boasts a great number of exotic animals housed in a large area that attracts visitors all year round. The first weekend of every month Bank of America customers enjoy the experience even more when they present their Bank of America ATM, debit or credit card for free admission in the Museums on Us program.  

A lone coyote takes a morning stroll before the heat sets in for the day.

On Sunday, June 6, I decided to take advantage of the program even though the weather forecast called for temperatures of 110. I arrived at the Zoo shortly after their 7 a.m. opening time, grabbed a map and set out to explore.  

A collared peccary wanders around his compound.

I started with the Arizona Trail. The cool morning brought out animals like the pronghorn, the collared peccary and a coyote to welcome the morning and survey their surroundings before the heat of the day set in. Both golden eagles sat on their perches fluffing their feathers and taking in the scenery.  

A golden eagle sits on its perch.

 For comedy relief, I always love to visit the prairie dogs. They’re so darn cute, and their antics make me laugh out loud. This time I found a whole new group of little baby prairie dogs adding to the fun in frolic for the morning. They were munching on greens for breakfast, and one guy stood on a dead limb and either stretched or performed his morning calisthenics. He stole the show.  

This prairie dog stole the show with his antics.

This baby prairie dog examines something he picked up.

Breakfast is served!

I stopped by to see the Arizona reptiles. I like to look at them through the glass without fear that they’ll attack me. On this morning, they all seemed to be out in the open instead of hiding behind the rocks and limbs in their enclosure.  

A Gila monster and various snakes lounge on the ground and on rocks.

A couple of snakes lounge in their glass enclosure.

The reticulated giraffes ate breakfast and roamed around the Savanna. The Sumatran tiger paced and panted in front of his enclosure, but I never did see the African lions. Unlike the other animals, they must have decided to sleep in.  

The reticulated giraffes roam the Savanna and eat breakfast.

As I made my way along the African Trail, I saw white rhinoceros, Mhorr gazelle, cheetahs and African wild dogs also know as cape hunting dogs. I heard the barks of the wild dogs before I saw them. These wild dogs swam in a pond and frolicked and played as I watched. They bounded out of the water and ran for the cover of the trees.  

African wild dogs frolic in the water.

African wild dogs bound out of the water.

I headed to the Tropics Trail to see the Asian elephants and the Bornean orangutans. The elephants usually do some entertaining antics like throwing dirt on themselves or pushing balls, boulders or stumps around. The orangutans remind me of an ordinary family with the mom hiding under sheets to get away from the world and the kid climbing into and eating everything in sight. They bring a smile to everyone’s face.  

An Asian elephant stands on a boulder.

This Bornean orangutan doesn't look too energetic.

On the other hand, this little one seems raring to go.

I saw lots of other animals in my travels: zebras, bears, peacocks, tortoises and monkeys. As more families and strollers arrived and the heat intensified, I decided to make my exit after about three hours of photographing animals and beautiful flowers. The Phoenix Zoo offers many things for anyone wanting to spend an enjoyable day in our Arizona outdoors. The visit’s even better when someone else pays for the entrance fee. Thanks Bank of America! 

Photos by Janice Semmel