A Day at the Zoo

So today we decided to take a trip to the zoo. For the first time ever, google maps failed us, giving us completely strange directions that had me and Rachel calling anyone we could think of to figure out if we were going in the right direction. After much confusion and an unplanned drive-through tour of Griffith Park, we managed to finally make it to the zoo.
Due to the sweltering heat, the first few animals we saw were sleeping or hiding in the shade. Disappointed, we declared the day a bust. Then we reached the hippo. He was chomping down on some hay, opening his mouth wide to show us his enormous teeth, then chomping back down. It was a wild ride from there.
The chimps were going crazy as we walked up to their enclosure--screaming at each other, chasing each other, and all around making a huge racket. We were enjoying their proximity to the glass, when suddenly one decided to give us a show. He pounded the glass, startling us, then proceeded to beat his chest, screech his battle cry, and took off running.
The lone, Asian elephant came over to entertain us with a few tire tosses and sand shooting out of his trunk. We then walked up to the orangutans.
Slightly envious of the lone orangutan we could see sleeping in the cooling mist, we almost walked off, but someone spotted the baby by the glass section of the enclosure. Sure enough, we walked over to observe the family ties. The mom was watching her baby with fondness as he swung back and forth on a rope swing and ran around. The huge male surprised us when he popped up on the side and we all jumped a little. He was enormous. But by far the best moment of the day was when the baby orangutan decided to nurse. Their behavior was so humanlike, it was scary. As he nursed, the mom would constantly brush kisses over his face. It was the cutest moment in nature I've ever observed.
At the gorilla enclosure, the gorillas were walking around their home, picking grass up here and there to nibble on, or just resting. The male silverback cooperated fully with Rachel as she snapped photos and did the perfect pose. Unfortunately, I'd chased after Sabrina and Kailey, so I missed it. Here are a few pictures of the girls I took today. Sabrina really was there, she just didn't pose for any pictures for me.