Merry Christmas Everyone!
I bring you a Special Christmas Edition #WordlessWednesday
After a 12 year hiatus, Holiday Lights returns to Bronx Zoo in New York City! Running from November 29 - December 31st as well as January 3-5 (they are not open today though! But you should head over there tomorrow if you haven't seen it already!) I can't even describe how happy I am that the Holiday of Lights is back, I have visited the Festival every year since it's inception and was so sad when it went away in 2007. I would visit every year with my mom. Our tradition is back, I hope these photos put the "Ho, Ho, Ho!" in your holidays and the holly in your jolly!
Stay tuned for a special video at the end!
Above: One of my favorite stops is the Ice Carving Station. It always amazes me how much painstaking detail goes into making these unique ice sculptures.
Above: I enjoy watching ice carvers, they take this huge block of ice and turn it into something beautiful knowing full well it won't last long. I have always wanted to try my hand at it. I would probably carve wine glasses and grapes! And of course, BUTTERFLIES
Above: Nothing gets you in the holiday spirits more than Christmas Carols - thankfully the Zoo thought of EVERYTHING!
Above: This underwater fantasy was one of my favorite displays. Long time readers know I live for being at the Beach/Ocean. It's where I feel the most peace. And getting a chance to interact with dolphins is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, second only to horseback riding. Press this one to make it bigger, it's worth it. The RAW file to this is my current screen saver!
Above: I had to get a better angle for the Dolphin. I wanted the coral so I got a bit of the rope divider in the shot. I wish people could be cool so the dividers weren't necessary, this would have looked so much more real without the ropes.
Above: Little known fact about me, I LOVE all things Giraffe. I have always been fascinated by them. The real Giraffes at the Zoo are always one of my must see stops!
Above: Don't forget you press the photos to make them larger. I took the shot of a group of these, but for some reason I opted to post the solo Antelope. There was just something more expressive about this photo to me.
Above: I hope he isn't planning to eat those Parrots as a late night snack! LOL
Above: It was so much fun seeing how all the kids faces lit up at each display, aren't these Gorillas cool?
Above: Herd of Elephants! See the cute baby in the center?
Above: Pride of Lions (I call this 'new school' holiday of lights Lions, look at the photo below to see why)
Above: This is the 'Old School' pride of 'light lions' - these are the ones I remember when I used to go before, I had fun finding some of my old favorites still on display!
Above: Are those Lemurs I spot in the Bamboo?
Above: These Parrots are trying to get away from that Tiger on the lower left!
Above: These penguins are ready for the festivities!
Above: I spot Rhinocerus!
Above: Hey Rhinos! You might want to run in the opposite direction of this hungry looking Tiger!
Above: These make me want to start singing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer!
Above: This horse makes me super happy!
Above: And of course I had to end the photos with the illuminated Butterflies. (These were there when I used to visit in the past and I was so happy to see they kept them) I mean my blog is called Ascending Butterfly, there was no way I would have missed this shot.
Below: Press Play (you might want to watch "Full Screen" for maximum effect and enjoy the Christmas Tree Light Show with a nice mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Volume on, the light show syncs up to holiday music, ENJOY!
MY TAKE:
I couldn't quite edit out all the exuberant children around me, but I think hearing real families taking it in is part of the charm. (Note: None of the kids you hear are mine. I do not. Repeat. I do not have children). I am just a big kid at heart, I still love going to the Zoo.
I couldn't be happier to have one of my favorite holiday traditions return to The Bronx Zoo. The holiday lights will fill your heart with cheer and joy and you should definitely make it a point to see it.
I also normally attend the Train Show at New York Botanical Garden (The Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden are very close by, but in my opinion I would do two separate days to make a day of each one and be sure you don't miss anything.) Since I wasn't able to attend this year's show, I will link you to coverage of a previous Train Show.
The New York Botanical Garden Train Show: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2016/01/last-chance-for-nybg-holiday-train-show.html (this is 2015's Train Show as it has the most pictures and my most recent coverage included a giveaway which is of course closed, I figured using an older one that did not have a giveaway attached would cause the least confusion.)
Readers: Do you take in a Light Show during the Holidays? It doesn't always have to be a special trip, even a walk around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights count! Did Santa treat you nice today?
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated Post, tickets to the show were provided to Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team for Editorial Consideration. ALL opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. My love for my favorite Bronx Based NYC landmarks is true and strong and genuine! #ProudBronxite
