Summer Camps: Rewind

Our campers had a fantastic summer once again. Now that it is getting into Fall, here are some of the memories of the past few months! Eco Explorers at the Jacksonville Zoo!

Animals have officially taken over the nature center

We've had feline "office managers" before (see previous posts) but now it's official. Animals have taken control of the nature center. First it started with Hokey Pokey the armadillo getting out of her cage with three big boards on top and then getting out of a baby gate to run all around the nature center. In Christina's office I walked in to find Buddy the Macaw on her desk! Making sure all the numbers are right.

I thought I'd spend some time with Buddy and Morgan, a cat we have up for adoption. So I decided to eat lunch in Christina's office. Buddy kept begging for tostitos. After I gave him a few, I clipped them up only to have Morgan try to get into them. He also started licking my sandwich!

A few minutes later I was on the phone only to see Buddy walking on the ground and licking the bowl of cheese dip! An odd sight to see a bird just walking over.

Apparently the way to a macaw's heart is through food. Every morning I share my banana or yogurt, and of course the tostitos. I'm on the phone when all of the sudden Buddy came over, climbed up a bag, onto my lap! He decided the armrest of the chair made a nice perch. Where he can pester me as I'm trying to work on the computer. As long as he gets attention every couple of minutes he's fine. And, to top it off, Morgan is jealous and wants to play, too! The great news is Buddy has been scared of me (and vice versa) up until now. I guess he (or she) just wanted to make the first move!

OK....we can't even eat lunch in peace anymore!

Nature Center Staff update

I (Jessica) am back at the nature center after my maternity leave. It's hard being away from my son, Evan, but also great to be back. I missed the staff and animals while I was out. I was happy to hear that Christina and Amandas had some excellent help this summer. Matt Smith is from Ohio and Kristin Messinger is from Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Kristin recently left to go back home and Matt leaves us at the end of this month. We will miss them both!

Kristin and Amanda Hardy enjoying Kristin's "thank you" party. (We really want her to come back so we refuse to say goodbye!).

Matt the chef made us all super-yummy meatball subs!

Staff with animals: Kristin with Hokey Pokey the armadillo, Amanda Hardy with Buddy the Macaw(recent rescue), Christina with Baby T the diamondback terrapin, Amanda Clark with horses (in the photograph and in spirit), Jessica with Muffin the gopher tortoise (another recent rescue) and Matt with Gator the red rat snake.

Who volunteered to clean up after our party? Hokey Pokey! She is very "helpful"...always into everything!!