Snakes, Turtles and Bears, Oh My!

What a great day it was to go to the local game farm, 

also known as the Salato Wildlife Center, 

and learn about animals!

Harlan and Waverly were very impressed with the elk statue

while we waited for Pappy and Nana. 

Then it was inside the center, with Tanner and Shelby, 

to see the animals. 

The first thing to see were all the birds (statues) flying from the ceiling, 

the bears and coyotes and plants and bones, too.  

I showed Wavy all about the plants we have in Kentucky, 

with different seeds and examples of each.  

Then the kids all made 'mashed' pennies with Pappy. 

Oh, how excited we were when the wildlife specialist brought out a snake!

The kids showed NO hesitation and quickly approached to pet the snake. 

So brave!

Harlan was mesmerized by the turtles.  

In one tank, we saw the biggest turtle ever!

Pappy helped the boys measure to see how tall they are against the 

long-nosed catfish.  

Harlan was more interested in the fish than the camera!

Then we did a little fishing of our own!

Inside the big ball pit, which I later fished Harlan out of, 

there were stuffed fish to catch.  Waverly was so excited she caught one! 

Tanner is an excellent fisherman!

Outside, there was so much more to see!

Harlan climbed in the largest nest!

We looked for bald eagles, but we just couldn't wait to see a bear!

I think Tanner was the most excited ever!

He loved to watch the big ol black bear!

A break for juice was just as exciting for some...

I think its safe to say he had an excellent time!

Even little Ms. Shelby had a blast riding in her red wagon and hanging out with the big kids!

When we saw the elks, 

we also found pine cones.  

Tanner and Wavy  even climbed the 'no trespassing/employees only' line to gather. 

It was so funny that they completely disregarded the sign (um, they can't yet read!).

Then they found a nice little place to sit and take a break! 

Harlan helped push Shelby in her wagon, 

and she just couldn't stop watching him. 

They are going to be the best of friends, as cousins should be.

It was a hot day, 

so no one really minded when it started to sprinkle.  

The deer were taking shelter in their woods, 

but the kids ran back and forth on the bridge getting wet. 

Back inside, the wildlife specialist had a turtle with her. 

The kids wanted to see the turtle 'run'.

My favorite part of the day was the area for the quails. 

Such pretty little birds.

The kids had fun pretending to be quails in the large quail egg shells.

It was so much fun to hide in the egg shells, 

follow the paths to see the quails, 

and watch the wildlife specialists try to catch one that made it outside its home. 

Free bird! 

After an excellent adventure, 

we are all ready for a nap. 

Nana is already planning a trip to the zoo!  

How great for family time and sharing the love of animals!