The Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/) is a holiday tradition for many in southwest Ohio. It's had it's up years and down years, years where the lights make me Ohh and Ahh and years where the lights merely fizzle. But whether at the top of it's game or the bottom, the Festival of Lights provides visitors with the rare opportunity to see animals at night. Nocturnal animals are awake and prowling, and others have just been fed and are gnawing at bones, digging at bananas, or prancing with post-dinner playfulness.

This year, 2.5 million LED lights lit up the zoo and its exhibits, the zoo trying to be as "green" as possible for the first time. A noble effort, for sure, and the more-environmentally-friendly aspects made up for the slight fizzle of the light show. Also, at the entrance, there was a zoo person carrying around a tiny owl (who head injured ears and could not survive in the wild) that was very near the cutest thing I have ever seen. Most of the animals houses were open, though many of the outdoor exhibits were closed either due to night or winter. Missed the gorillas... again. Bummer. Maybe if we get there in the summer?

Though costly at full price, there are discount tickets abound, and members often get guest passes and discount coupons that, from experience, they almost never use. My parents are members, and their membership covers parking fees and one guest, and with that and a discount pass, the four of us got in for $6! A zoo is always a worthy cause anyway, and always worth getting a pass if you live within 100 miles of one.

Some shots from our visit: