Thank you so much for all the well wishes this past couple of weeks – my hip surgery went well and, despite an unfortunate early hiccup when I discovered my body doesn’t tolerate morphine, my recovery is coming on just fine.
I saved up a couple of visits to share with you when I had the time, so here are the photographs from one of the few day trips we managed to make last year against the backdrop of lockdowns and fear of public gatherings – a really lovely day out at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore in Scotland, about 50 miles from home.
The park is a wonderful conservation success story, and last summer the big draw was the two Amur tiger cubs. They did, of course, stay too far away for me to get a photograph, but we did see them.
Here is mother – she was less shy.
One of the other stars of the park is Victoria, the polar bear. She successfully raised a cub, Hamish, in 2017, and gave birth to her latest, Brodie, in December 2021. We will be going back to see him soon!
Of course we have the local beasties too…
One of the biggest attractions of the park is the drive-through trail, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cairngorm mountains.
Another of the park’s success stories – a breeding herd of Przewalski’s horses. This cute foal was a very confident soul.
And this Vicuna was simply a poser!
The deer were finding the day rather warm
But the geese seemed quite happy
Out of the car again. there was plenty left to see: a pair of elderly arctic foxes
This awesome snow leopard let us watch her have her lunch
These fabulous curly-horned goats
And, of course, another of the park’s famous denizens – the wolves!
Picnic, anyone?
Another native, but elusive, Scot
Some were harder to spot: this European Lynx had a lovely vantage point, draped across the sun-warmed rocks
And the most fun we had, watching a keeper bury this wolverine’s meal to give him a bit of a challenge!
Though it didn’t take him long to get it
You might understand why, when you get a close-up of those claws…
Well that’s just a selection of the critters at the park that decided to make themselves photo-worthy this trip. Plenty more for another day…
Just the one more – how about this for a unique set of horns?
deborahjay 
Wonderful to hear that you are doing so well! Thank you for sharing your adventures! Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deborah, a big hug to you and wishing you a full a speedy recovery! I don’t tolerate some pain meds either, sadly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Connie!
LikeLike
What a wonderful world of animals, Robbie. Best to you as you recover. Morphine didn’t work for me, either–just didn’t work! Pain never budged! I hope they found something else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was given Phenergan at first, for nausea and post-surgical pain. At home, dihydrocodeine does the job very nicely, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry I wrote ‘Robbie’, Deborah. I’ve been trying to catch up on the blogs, and moving too fast!
I haven’t heard of either of those. Good to know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get that Jacqui – I knew where you’d been before arriving at my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do travel in the same circles, don’t we!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re a trooper Deb. So glad you’re on the mend. Now don’t over do!!! Fabulous photos.! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that’s the challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear your recovery is going well, Deborah. And thanks for the fun visit to the park. The animals seem fairly content. And I’m glad they’re having little ones!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Diana.
And while I prefer animals be in their natural environments, these sort of parks certainly have their place in essential conservation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly how I feel.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you are doing well. I love all these animal photos, especially the Vicuna and the wolves on the picnic table. Take care.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheers! And I think the wolves on the table is one of my best ever ‘wildlife’ photos 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome photos, thanks for sharing. Glad to hear you’re doing better!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person