Course requirements dictated that I attend a week-long colloquial in Arlington, Virginia, USA, this week. Hundreds of us, all grad students working (or hoping to work) in the mental health field converged on the city just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, to spend six intense days of study, learning and experiencing in a classroom setting. The day before classes were scheduled to begin, a friend and I took part of a day to venture into the capital district to visit the National Zoo. As you will see in the following photos, I was captivated by the big cats! Enjoy.
Inspired Vision 
Cecelia, you captured a variety of emotions being shown by the National Zoo residents. I am glad you had a chance to be in Arlington and Washington, DC.
Thanks Barbara. We had a wonderful time even though the trip was a school requirement that required a lot of class time. I always enjoy the zoo.
Ooh, the big cats are my favorite! You’ve now inspired me to go visit the zoo soon. đ
I love the big cats, too. I encourage everyone to visit a zoo (if it is a research zoo. Some small zoos should be closed due to improper treatment of animals. đŚ )
I’ve said it over and over …. although a birder, cats are my favorite people. One photo of a lion in profile reminds me of George Washington … maybe that’s why they recruited him for the National Zoo.
Nice work! đ
Thanks Annie. I am a bird lover, too. But like you, cats are my favs. Thanks for stopping by.
These are fabulous!
Thanks Cee. I love going to the zoo (as long as it is one that does honest research and treats animals well.) Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful photos of the lions.
Glad you like them. We had a fun day and the lions were particularly enjoyable on this day. đ
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Great shots. Love the tigers. I’ve yet to get to the National Zoo. It always seems to rain the day we plan it.
I hope you get to go sometime soon. There is so much there. I try to go to the National Zoo whenever we are back in the DC area.
Great pics!
didn’t see you on my blog for long. Glad to see you’re okay.
Doris, thank you sooooo much for stopping by. I’m afraid that while I’m in school I just won’t be able to visit other blogs the way I did before. I love keeping up with folks, but the demands of my courses are such that I have put blogging on the back burner for a while. A pity because I enjoy blogging and the friends I made so much. Hopefully I will get back to it more when my coursework comes to an end. Again, thanks for stopping by. Hugs to you for caring. đ
Keep that focus! the pics are great!
Thanks Linda. Glad you like the pics. And right now I am pretty focused. My trip to metro-DC energized me. đ
Big cats are always fun to watch. Well, from afar, that is. You got excellent shots. Love the lion! However, my definite favorites are the elephants đ
Yes, there was distance and a large moat between the cats and me. Glad you like the shots. As to the elephants, their quarters are being enlarlged and enhanced to give them the room they need. That area won’t be finished for another year. This was the only elephant that was out when we were visiting, and I had a terrible time getting a shot of it. The new elephant quarters will be magnificent when completed. Elephants are amazing animals. AMAZING! I can understand why they are your favorite. đ