Crystal Gardens is a great place for photography. Most of the animals were behind small fences or glass, so you didn't have to worry about taking pictures around the cages. It's also a great place in general because of their commitment to helping endangered species. For more information about the Gardens please visit their official homepage:
http://www.tbc.gov.bc.ca/pcc/cg/cghome.htm
The Birds
Two flamingos were at the gardens and one of them was very interested in me. He would follow me around while making a rather loud squaking noise. The other guy just sat around and made pretty poses.
Two hyacinth macaws were also out and about. They were quite playful and also loud. One guy was really interested in what I was doing with my camera and kept looking up at me. He finally got bored and started preening.
A blue and gold macaw was trying to sleep just next to the fence. Of course I was snapping away and he opened his eye once as if to say "please, do bugger off".
A toucan. Wow. I've never seen a real one of these before. Too bad he was one of the few guys behind a cage.
The Rest
A golden lion tamarin and some little guy whose name I've forgotten. Solar glare unfortunately because I had to take the picture from underneath them. Ah, to be taller. The tamarin was neat because he had a face like a very little old man. Lots of expression.
Koi! There were a couple of ducks in the koi pond, but they were shy and kept running away from me.
Cool bats! Since it was daytime, they were asleep. They did have a display in the dark with dimmed down lights with lotsa bats flying around. They're crazy! I'm surprised they don't mess up their landings more often..
And of course, the weird statue thing.
All photos copyright Anne Sullivan