Animals Archives - TomsFotos

Butterflies Alive!

Each year the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has an exhibit called Butterflies Alive! where live butterflies are loose in a large enclosed area and visitors come into the area to enjoy watching the insects. This year (2021 August 12th) I had the opportunity to visit the exhibit. Arriving at the museum you are met at the parking lot by the skeleton of a blue whale. The blue whale is the largest mammal and as an adult dwarfs this 72-foot long skeleton of a juvenile whale.

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Charles Paddock Zoo

Animals, Short Trips

The Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero, California was established in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a county park ranger who nursed wild animals back to health. Over time the zoo was moved from the animal shelter to its present site: 5 park-like acres within Atascadero Lake Park. In 1997, while living in Santa Maria about 45 miles south, I visited the site. Some of the pictures taken then are shown here. Please keep in mind that the animals you see here are likely long gone with others taking their place in more modern enclosures. [Read more…] about Charles Paddock Zoo

Doves

Animals

Doves seem to like our community. I’ve had two nests outside my balcony over the past few years and others have had nests as well. I just don’t like it when they call for mates around sunrise as I prefer to sleep in.

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Woodpeckers

Animals

Where I live now I sometimes hear woodpeckers but have never actually seen one to photograph.

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Robins

Animals

In the early Spring (actually late January or early February here on the West Coast) the first robins start to show up.

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Cats

Animals

I admit I’m not a cat person. When I was a child one I was petting got scared by a shadow coming around the corner and almost took my eye climbing over my head. But, I can’t pass up good pictures regardless of the subject.

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