NSFW... (Not Safe For Work)

Warning - This post may contain nudity and sexuality and is intended for 'mature' persons only. It must not be accessed by anyone that does not possess a sense of humour ;)

Relax and let it all hang out...

Have some 'play-time'...

Invite a friend..?

Pick a number, any number...

Your captions too please :)

Parque Zoológico Huachipa

Mono Capuchino?

Mel and I visited Huachipa Zoo almost two weeks ago now, but as Mel was on vacations last week, I didn't post anything from the day until now.

Although we had a great day, certain aspects of the place leave you a little sad. Many of the enclosures - cages - are not adequate for their inhabitants. I don't know the cause of what you see in the following photo, but whether a result of living in captivity or not, it's not nice to see...

Black-mandibled Toucan

However, what a zoo always offers someone like me, is the opportunity to practice some photography!

"You talkin' to me?"
Red-capped Cardinal

The two shots above were taken through cages.

Military Macaw

The highlight of the place has to be "Bosque de las aves" (Forest of the birds), a huge enclosed area to view 20 or more species (according to park signs, which were not clear in saying which were which though...). It has a tower in the middle to view from, and a small waterfall to walk behind.

Some pics from inside here:

Majestic...erm...beauty
King Vulture

I think this is a Spix's Guan,
looks like Crested Guan too though

Surprised to see this here!
Black Swan

I can't find what the next one is, annoying as it looks so familiar. Also, lower mandible is larger than upper??

Give me a name please!

Standard Reading??

After having 'THAT' happen to me twice last year, I'm beginning to think so...

Seen in a town near you!

It's not new, but the old ones are the best!

Fotos de La Arenilla

Day trip write-up and birding list to be found on Mel's post. Yes, I'm being lazy...

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)

Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)

Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)

"Aah... that's better..."
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)

Plover-pirouettes wowed the judges.
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

I'm not going to pretend I have any idea about what these next two are (species I mean - yes I know there's a butterfly and a crab...). Answers on a postcard please...

Exhibit 'A'

Exhibit 'B'

Pachacamac

I went to Pachacamac with Mel's mother and two aunts that were visiting from Argentina. The earliest parts of this archaeological site are believed to hail from between 1400 and 1800 years ago. The main construction followed with the Huari culture, and post-Huari it became a place of religious significance before becoming incorporated into the Incan Empire.

The highest point of the site,
with vast areas still to be discovered...

Unfortunately, lack of funding means that most of the site remains under sand, and it doesn't look as though that will change any time soon...

With some funding, this could be one
of Lima's greatest attractions

With the area being mostly desert, wildlife was minimal. At the entrance to the site they keep a llama. It seems this one didn't want to pose for a photo, so to save you from looking at said llama's rear-end, I found a 'gorgeous' canine instead - this is the breed that was offered to Barack Obama because of his dog allergies. I give you the Peruvian Hairless Dog...

Perro peruano sin pelo, ranked in the top five
in Tommy's Ugliest Dog Breeds '09

Hopefully that didn't put off anyone from visiting Lima... Just in case, here's the only birds I saw at Pachacamac...

Croaking Ground-Dove (Columbina cruziana)

Long-tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus)

Time to go. Don't have nightmares about ugly dogs - I mean, it's not as if I posted this one!