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A hummingbird visits a feeder. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\nMy wife suggests we pay a visit to the San Diego Zoo.<\/p>\n
Why spend a small fortune on admission, I argue, when we can observe wildlife looking out our own window?<\/p>\n
With air conditioning.<\/p>\n
And no odors.<\/p>\n
Each day, I contend, a variety of wildlife come into our view. All seen from the comfort of our own living room.<\/p>\n
There was even that time we saw a pack of wild horses pass through the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was in 1985,\u201d my wife declares. \u201cIt\u2019s likely they\u2019ll show up again sometime past our life expectancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
What about that mountain lion we saw?<\/p>\n
\u201cA quarter-century ago,\u201d she proclaimed.<\/p>\n
Perhaps she\u2019s right about those rare sightings, but each day we\u2019re treated to yet another surprise.<\/p>\n
For no cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you remember when that flock of peacocks ran through the area?\u201d I questioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d she confirmed. \u201cThat was when the kids were even younger than our grandchildren. It\u2019s not likely they\u2019ll be coming by again soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr that elephants will be passing through,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cOr giraffes, monkeys, gorillas, bears, rhinos or zebras.\u201d<\/p>\n
I walked her over to the window, where beautiful hummingbirds visited the feeders I hung throughout the patio.<\/p>\n
A hummingbird visits a feeder. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Last week, a rabbit graced our property.<\/p>\n
There was even a time a duck made a nest in our garden, before several ducklings arrived.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve had racoons, weasels, geese, gophers, coyotes, bats, bobcats, deer, hawks, roadrunners, eagles, and even a fox pay us a visit.<\/p>\n
Along with those wild horses and that mountain lion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a virtual zoo grace our own backyard,\u201d I declared.<\/p>\n
There was even that time, I reminded, that her brother had a live monkey. I swear this is true. It was living with with his family back in New York.<\/p>\n
I would consider buying her one, but, according to the internet, owning a monkey in California is illegal.<\/p>\n
Still, I attempted to impress her with a record of the huge number of animals that regularly pass through our property.<\/p>\n
\u201cCall me when the pandas show up,\u201d she grumbled.<\/p>\n
Not only does she expect us to pay a visit to the zoo, she also wants to take the grandkids.<\/p>\n
So I took out my calculator and computed that it would cost us exactly $492.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s not including food.<\/p>\n
Or gas.<\/p>\n
And souvenirs.<\/p>\n
I reminded her that each year, compliments of my membership to the local Rotary organization, we\u2019re invited to visit the Safari Park, where according to the internet, it\u2019s home to over 3,500 animals.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s where park employees draped my friend Royce with a resident python.<\/p>\n
He seemed to take it in stride.<\/p>\n
The annual outing includes lunch, a lecture, a private exhibit, free parking, and a wonderful day touring the area.<\/p>\n
And family is invited.<\/p>\n
I should add, the park is exactly 7 miles and 10 minutes from our house, versus 35 miles, plus traffic, to visit the zoo.<\/p>\n
Sadly, my argument fell on deaf ears, as my bride remained resolute, so the zoo is on the agenda.<\/p>\n
The kids, the creatures, the cost and the calendar will continue.<\/p>\n