![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cheet_sm2-1.jpg)
A Weekday at the Zoo – I have wonderful memories of zoos growing up. My dad had a passion for travel and zoos were one our families’ favorite destinations. My brother and I have since carried on that passion
for travel with our families.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/lionsm.jpg)
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/chimpsm-1.jpg)
Caverns, aquariums and zoos are some of our favorite places for my son and I to explore and we have magnets to remember each one.
We have been to the Dallas zoo many times but it’s a different experience when you go alone. Even as my son got older, he would have specific animals he was interested in, usually he would antagonize the monkeys.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0220sm-1.jpg)
The experience was usually fast-paced but today I went alone. Even though I missed his company, it was a unique feeling being alone.
I spent the first thirty minutes watching the gorillas. I talked to the zookeeper and learned about each gorilla by name and she told me about the chimps.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dragon-1.jpg)
When you’re alone you get to stop, you have no agenda, only getting photographs of specific animals. I was able to enjoy each animal in a relax unhurried pace.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dartmasterB-2.jpg)
I spent much time in the reptile house and because it was during
the week, it was uncrowded. I got to listen to the zoo keepers information about the elephants and I I learned not just more about each animal but about the zoo and what they were doing to protect certain species.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/greenmamba-1.jpg)
There are so many more zoos I need to visit, across the country
and across the sea, so many more animals to enjoy. It is the child in me that loves to see animals and though I would prefer to see them in their natural habitat, I am glad zoos are a beacon for society to see that these amazing animals are worth saving.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/elephant1_sm-1.jpg)
These are portraits from the animals at the Dallas Zoo. I hope you enjoy and will seek out a zoo near you.
![](https://artbygordon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/gorilla1sm-1.jpg)