My wee holiday to Dallas Texas!

[Tula_Montage]

I left Scotland for Dallas on the 5th of June, I got home early yesterday 20th. I was visiting my older brother and his girlfriend...

I was sad to leave, I haven't seen my brother in a good 6 months, but I was also extremely excited to come home and see all my babies. I worried about them non stop LOL. Of course everyone was fine but I had a good bit of poop to clean up as soon as I got home

Hello TX!!

On my arrival I was greeted by Chris' dogs, Cooper - lab dane mix

And Pudge, the spazziest pug I have ever met (which is saying something)

Oh and Tammy the devils spawn, Shes a green cheek conyer. It took Kirsten 4 years to "train" her... and I spent 2 weeks getting my hand bitten and bleeding before she should let me hold her. I think thats a decent achievement considering I'm not a bird person LOL

 

[Tula_Montage]

Just one of many days out, we visited Dallas FT Worth zoo, and I have to say I was extremely disapointed. Enclosures were too small, dirty, bare and most of the animals looks utterly miserable. The only decent thing was the reptile house. Even that was disapointing. I only took a few pictures as too many kiddies were pressing their faces up against the glass whilst snakes were trying to eat, guess how many mice were not taken straight away There were also NO name plates on any of the enclosures... That miffed me right off. How do they expect people to learn?!

Boelens python, my dream snake... unfortunatley he had a bit of noserub

You an see how dirty the glass was, its a miracle I got ANY okish pictures

Eastern gaboon viper

Some sort of viper... no card... no name

Blue macaw

Pond full of Koi and some wee turtles

 

[Tula_Montage]

A rattler... in shed, but which kind?

A big lizard thing?! (see how frustrating the no name plate guessing game is?)

Another viper

These guys scare me!!

I got a bit flamingo happy and too way too many pictures. This was one of the only displays that was photographable...

So yeah the zoo sucked

 

[Tula_Montage]

The most enjoyable day out was the Dallas aquarium! It was just utterly beautiful. Not so much an aquarium, more of a complete eco system with many different animals (all indoors though). The enclosures were imaculate, everything was naturally planted and open. All the animals seemed in tip top condition and I would reccommend people go there! I was very impressed. They also had interactive panels which explated everything about the animals including species, diet, reproduction, habitat. I learned a lot.

ETB - There were two in the enclosure but this one was posed perfectly

Waglers pit viper in shed

Panther cham

Different cham

African penguins

Mr gator... I ate some gator, it was amazingly good. I ate reptile though

 

[Tula_Montage]

Vampire bats! They were in a very dark enclosure with UV light, I just used the flsh on my camera and got this picture.

Sea turlte!!! Dude...

Bullshark... flying through the trees.

A pretty blue fishie?

So those are the only pictures of reptiles etc worth sharing. The others are just awful. I had an excellent time, trail riding (unfortunatley I forgot to take my camera that day), shopping every few days LOL, gecko/turtle hunting... I didn't see any wild snakes Just lost of these geckos...

 

[Tula_Montage]

Heres a wee gecko I caught. It was just a baby as there were much bigger specimens nearby. Unfortunatley this trauma made him drop his tail as you can see... I released him the next day as I felt awful Anyone know what kind he is?

I fed/caught then released lots of wild turtles! This wee guy came right up to me.

So thats it... My last day was the aquarium, and one of the best days! Goodbye Texas - Hello Scotland. We arrived very early morning and the sunrise was beautiful. I can't wait to go back... and go herping properly. I am contemplating spending the whole of next summer out there!

I appologise for the bad quality of pictures throughout this whole post. Looks like my camera is only cooperative about macro shots, with the flash on, In Scotland. LOL. I took over 300 pictures, and only around 50 turned out ok-ish :shrugs:

 

[texastailfeathers]

I love the Fort Worth Zoo...I've gone there at least once a year for the entire 25 years of my life. I was just there in April, in fact, and I was disappointed in the herp building as well. I was downright angry about the small enclosures (some were empty) and lack of nameplates. Just as I was about to say really loud, hateful things about the zoo (angry redhead...can't help it), I noticed a teeeeeny tiny sign that said something about remodeling.

The Dallas World Aquarium is FABULOUS. I haven't been there in a few years. I bet it has only gotten better since then. I just can't force myself to go to Dallas. I live in Arlington and work in Fort Worth, and I avoid Dallas traffic like a disease.

I *think* that gecko is a Mediterranean gecko. I photographed one inside my house tonight. I just posted a thread in the Field Herping category.

 

[diamondlil]

:cheers: Hurrah! You're safe and sound! I'm amazed you didn't bring a corn back in your pocket (disclaimer, I'm joking, not encouraging illegal smuggling...)

 

[Tula_Montage]

Nope no corns, just 200 ciggs LOL

 

[Plissken]

It looks like you had a great time. I adore Boelens Pythons! I fell in love with them after watching Snakes On A Plane

Anyway, cool pics.

 

[Tula_Montage]

LOL yeah I was surprised to see one on that film... I adore them even more after seeing them in the flesh. This specimen was a good 9ft in length... BIG beautiful snake. Pity she was in shed

 

[Plissken]

Even in shed she's gorgeous. They're a must-have snake for the future, not sure know how common they are in this country though.

That rattler is pretty sweet, too.

 

[Nanci]

Glad you had a great trip and made it home safely! Great pics! The blue fish is a Tang. Welcome back!

Nanci

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

Glad you enjoyed your visit to the best state! :grin01:

And did you go to the Dallas or the Ft. Worth zoo? You said the Dallas Ft Worth zoo, but we have two! I haven't been to the Ft. Worth one in forever, but the Dallas one is usually pretty good; especially as far as care of animals goes.

And great pics from the World Aquarium. That truly is an awesome place!

Are you from TX and living in Scotland? Or from Scotland and your brother lives in TX?

 

[Nanci]

Are you from TX and living in Scotland? Or from Scotland and your brother lives in TX?

You mean you can't tell by the "wee" this and the "whilst" that??

Nanci

 

[Roy Munson]

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your Stateside trip, Elle. Cool photos. Glad you made it home safe and sound.

 

[texastailfeathers]

And did you go to the Dallas or the Ft. Worth zoo? You said the Dallas Ft Worth zoo, but we have two! I haven't been to the Ft. Worth one in forever, but the Dallas one is usually pretty good; especially as far as care of animals goes.

I'm obviously not Elle, but I'm guessing that's the Fort Worth Zoo. I recognize that Hyacinth macaw, and I remember visiting the herpetarium there in April and seeing lots of disorganization and no nameplates. They're doing some sort of herp building renovation and the displays are awful right now. That must be the oldest building in the park.

 

[Tula_Montage]

Yup the Dallas Fort Worth zoo... I hope the Dallas zoo is a bit better I'll go next time.

Thanks for the well wishes guys, I am lookin forward to my brother coming back home in 2 weeks! Will be like I never left LOL.

 

[Pet Corn Snake]

long time no see, glad you had a good time!!!



Good pictures, that plane one, I LOVE IT!! I haven't been on holiday for about 3 years now, and i have to say, the plane is one of the fun bits in a holiday! especially when you get placed next to some elderly Lady's and guess what, they give you FREE Mints!! I think it's something to do with your ears, but eather way, it's cool!!


-George-

 

[Tula_Montage]

If I never go on another plane I will be happy George. 14 hours of travelling sucks. Especially when the person your sitting next to decides to sprawl out and drool everywhere.

Sadly I will be on another plane soon though, Im going to Dublin next month then Spain (again) in October... Its an anual trip Im getting a bit sick of.