The Wandering Disciple

A baby orangutan gives its mama a big hug at ZooTampa. The bond between a mother and her baby is very evident with the orangutan babies at the zoo. Watching the two play and explore together is proof of just how strong the maternal bond can be. (Photo: January 14, 2017)

A Guenon entertains the crowds with some silly antics at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Known for their bright coats and long tails, Guenon can be found in the forests of sub-Saharan Africa. The Guenon are just one species of primates that can be found at Lowry Park Zoo. (Photo: January 21, 2007)

Tampa, Florida: One of the best part of having an annual pass to the Lowry Park Zoo is the spur of the moment trips. Saturday afternoon was one of those days where we decided to just head to the zoo on a whim. I feel each trip is another opportunity to see the animals and hopefully catch some active that may have not been active before. Plus since our last visit, a new orangutan was born and was now in the exhibit with the rest of the family. When we got to the zoo, it was pretty crowded. However perk number two of the annual pass was skipping all the lines and heading straight into the zoo.  Once inside the gates, we headed straight to the orangutan exhibit to see the baby. At first once we got there I did not see the baby.  It was kept hidden by its mom in the corner of the exhibit.  But the rest of the orangutan family was full of energy and the toddlers were putting on a show playing with each other.  A few minutes later the zookeeper came with food ...

A young orangutan plays around on the ropes at the Bornean Orangutan exhibit at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  The zoo is currently home to seven orangutans including a pair of youth that were born months apart in late 2015 and early 2016.  The family is about to grow bigger as the zoo announced a few days ago that DeeDee is currently pregnant.  (Photo: January 6, 2018)

There is no stronger bond then between a momma and her baby.  Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and thank you for all that you do for your children.  (Photo: January 14, 2017)

When most people think of penguins, they immediately think of cold climates and snow.  But did you know there is a species of penguin that thrive in warm weather climates.  To adapt to the warmer climates, the African Penguins have a gland above their eye that when blood circulates through it, it helps regulate the temperature allowing the penguin to thrive in warmer weather.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

The bright colorful cheeks of the hornbill stand out in the aviary at Lowry Park Zoo.  The zoo is home to many colorful species of birds, each with their own stunning appearance.  Many of these birds can be seen close up in one of several free flight aviaries throughout the zoo.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

An African Elephant gets some relief from the Floridian sun by taking a dip in a pond at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.  The zoo is home to a herd of six elephants, five females and one male.  The male elephant, Sdudla, is the zoo's largest animal weighing almost 10,000 pounds.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

A mother tiger plays with her cub in the water at Lowry Park Zoo.  Born on September 11, 2016 Berisi is the first endangered Malayan Tiger to be born at Lowry Park Zoo.  The Malayan is the newest species of tiger, only recognized in 2004, and is the smallest in size of the tiger species with adults ranging in size from 220-260 pounds.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

The prehistoric life comes to life as Dinos Alive invades Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  Ranging from the speedy Velociraptor to the might T-Rex, the temporary exhibit brings a full selection of 65 million year old prehistoric beasts back from extinction. Dinos Alive opened today and runs for a limited time. (Photo: February 25, 2017)

A cheetah stretches as it awakes from an afternoon cat nap at the Lowry Park Zoo.  The South African Cheetah is one of the many species of wildlife found in the Safari Africa section of Lowry Park Zoo.  (Photo: January 14, 2017)

An orangutan grabs a piece of fruit tossed by a zookeeper at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.  The Lowry Park Zoo is home to a family of seven Bornean orangutans including two that were born last year.  The family spends it day entertaining guests by playing and socializing.  (Photo: January 14, 2017)

Waking up from a cat nap, Lucy greets visitors at Lowry Park Zoo.  Lucy, Lowry Park's resident Florida Panther was rescued in South Florida when she was young.  She has been raised in the zoo and can not be released into the wild so she serves as a resident ambassador.  (Photo: January 14, 2017)

A chimpanzee looks as if he is deep in thought at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.  The chimpanzees are one of several species of primates that can be found in the Primate World portion of the zoo.  (Photo: January 14, 2017)

A giraffe peeks in with visitors at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.  Here guests can come eye to eye with these gentle giants.  They can also feed the giraffes as well as get a photo with them.  (Photo: July 18, 2010)

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for your continued support of my photography.  It is this support that is the driving force behind bringing new content for your to enjoy.  Thanks for helping transform the site from a way to share photos with friends and family to a full blown site with almost six million views.

The colorful coat of the Nicobar Pigeon shines in the sunlight as it forages for food at the Lowry Park Zoo.  The Nicobar Pigeon can be found in the Nicobar Islands of India.  It is the closest living relative to the extinct dodo bird.  (Photo: April 13, 2014)

An elephant stands along the path of the Safari Tram at Lowry Park Zoo.  The tram take riders closer to some of the zoo's residents of the African safari.  (Photo: August 30, 2009)

A baby orangutan takes a nap on his mother's back at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. The zoo is home to two orangutan toddlers that were born at the park less than a year ago. (Photo: September 4, 2016)

A meerkat peers out to visitors at Lowry Park Zoo in downtown Tampa. The meerkats are one of over 1,200 animals that call the zoo their home. (Photo: June 28, 2009)