Please leave all answers and captions in the comment box directly below this blog! 

 Based on the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, this sculpture can be found in what city? 

The sculpture is so popular, a replica was installed in Moscow as a gift from Barbara Bush to Soviet First Lady Raisa Gorbachev!

Imagine your caption here!

 

These knitted owls were made by our very talented volunteer Margaret.  Did you know that our volunteers and staff aren’t the only talented beings at the zoo? A variety of small animal paintings, complete with information on each artist, will be included in the winner’s prize basket!  This contest keeps getting better and better!

 

 

 Get more Jeffery updates on Facebook and follow him on Twitter!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the first week of our blog contest! Don’t forget, this contest will continue each morning until the first weekend of May, when we host our Bird of Prey Days! Keep competing, and tell your friends!

The next installment of the competition will post at 10 AM Central time, on Monday the 6th of February.  We will also be revealing another part of the prize! 

Now onto our score board:

In first place with 10 points we have Melissa Fellers!

Second place with 8 points and the winner of the caption contest is Wendy!

Third place with 7 points is Carmen Deatherage!

Fourth place with 5 points is Tess Peterson!

Fifth place with 2 points is Paul Medici!  Paul also wins honorable mention in the caption competition, meaning he was JUST shy of tying for first!  We loved his caption from the Godfather movie–Forget the gun, take the cannolis! 

Our caption winner, Wendy gave us this great caption: "Forget the moon, fly me to Savoca!"

 Get more Jeffery updates on Facebook and follow him on Twitter!

PLEASE PUT ALL COMMENTS IN THE BLOG’S COMMENT BOX DIRECTLY BELOW THE TEXT ITSELF!

Fans of Francis Ford Coppola may recognize this little bar, located in what small town? 

Imagine your hilarious caption here!

Thanks for playing, and we’ll be back on Friday!

One of these adorable knitted owls will be just one gift of many in the winner's prize basket!

DISCLAIMER: You cannot win around the world tickets in this contest!

As many of you know, the keepers at the Houston Zoo often get together to present the public with Spotlight on the Species events.  This program allows keepers to bring their most cherished conservation causes to the public.  Lion Fun Day, Vulture Awareness Day, Howler-ween and Pollinator Weekends are just a few of the SOS events we’ve recently hosted.

This year, on the first weekend of May, we’re kicking it up a notch!  Three, count them, THREE different zoo departments are coming together to bring you the Birds of Prey Days!

Ever wanted to meet an eagle face to face or wonder just how far a hawk can see? Want owls hanging out in your yard? Would you like to learn about falconry, which has been practiced for approximately FOUR THOUSAND years?? Throughout the following months, we will provide you with more specifics about our event, but right now, I’d like to tell you about the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

The raptor populations of Texas are robust and thriving, but this isn’t the case all over the world. Take a look at this gorgeous bird:

An adult Philippine Eagle with prey. Photo by Mark Wilson

A Phlippine Eagle chick about to leave the nest! Photo by Mark Wilson

Not only this this the largest AND most endangered eagle in the world, but in my professional opinion, it’s also the most beautiful.  Since 2008, the bird department has been raising funds for the Philippine Eagle Foundation and with our SOS, we’d like to bring the eagle to the people of Houston.

Unfortunately, there are no Philippine Eagles anywhere in the States, but that hasn’t stopped us!  Our very talented bird supervisor, Rene Ryan, made Jeffery, the traveling Philippine Eagle puppet.  Since September of last year, Jeffery has been traveling around the world with zoo staff, getting ready to promote this Bird of Prey Spotlight on the Species!

Check out this HANDSOME puppet:

See the resemblance???

Now, on to the contest!  Each Monday morning at 10 AM, a photo of Jeffery will be posted, and with the aid of some hints, our blog followers will have to guess where in the world Jeffery is! Jeffery’s already been to a handful of continents, countries and states!

The first to guess correctly will earn 10 points. The second, 7 points and the third 5 points. Fourth place will receive 2 points.  The comment time stamp will confirm the quickness of your answers!

But wait, there’s a twist! Have you missed our FOTO Fridays?  The best caption for the featured photo (to be decided by zoo staff) will earn a whopping 8 points!

Unlike FOTO Friday, please leave your caption as a comment on the contest blog posted on Mondays, not on Facebook.

Here’s a quick example of what Monday’s posts will look like:

According to legend, William B. Travis drew a line in the dirt for troops to cross over to certain death at this famous historical site.

Where in the world is Jeffery?

Contestants would then race to answer (sorry, not all photos will be this easy to place!), and brush up their funny bones to attempt to win the photo caption round!  Friday morning at 10 AM, all will be revealed, as well as contestant rankings!

What’s in it for you?

The winner will receive a goody basket full of our handmade items which will be for sale during the event, as well as Philippine Eagle art and merchandise.  This prize will be amazing, and throughout the next few months, we will reveal photos of the contents, but for right now, trust me, you want it!

The contest begins Monday, January 30th, 2012!

You do not have to live in Houston to participate, but no Houston Zoo staff are allowed to enter.

 Get more Jeffery updates on Facebook and follow him on Twitter!

Last Friday we posted our weekly Foto Friday pic and invited you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers “liked” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week.

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Here is the picture that was posted along with the top voted caption by Jane Judd Peikert, whose caption won by a landslide!

We're never going to finish if you keep eating all the fruit!

FIRST RUNNERS UP – a tie between:

Hillary Skeryanc-Mann: He needs an ear right here.
Charlie Paul: We can call him Parson Brown!

SECOND RUNNER UP:

Alma Garza Mescher: By the time his cousin, Frosty, gets the ransom together, he’s gonna be slush and we’re going to have to make do with selling him to Sonic.

THIRD RUNNERS UP – a tie between:

Dana Rice: We have some ice to pick with you!
Dana Rice: Are you losing weight?
Cathy Rackley Todd: Monkey see & monkey do!
Christine Ledder: Wow the kitchen crew is really evolving…snow sculpture!
Excargo Services: How will we communicate with the primate?
Lacy Pekarik: The face of that snowman looks like a seal.
Pat Harper Patterson: Hey! This rude guy is STARING at you, but you shouldn’t poke him in the eye!!! I’ll bet his frosty attitude will melt away soon.
Elizabeth Riley Firchau: “Back off! I already called dibs on the scarf!!”
Debbie Bazan: Get Italy on the phone. I’ve created a new masterpiece.
Rebecca Dolen Bowers: Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle….. a snowman in Houston.

Thanks for joining in the fun!

Last Friday, we asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Here is the picture that was posted with the top voted caption by Sandra Fleming Studios, who is no stranger to our Caption Challenge. 

Let’s high five her with a big, green slimy fin!

Hey, its me, Swampy! I'm going to get you out there, okay? In the meantime keep it low key!

FIRST RUNNER UP:

 
Shannon Krugman: Holy Crap!!! I hope that’s not my reflection!!

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SECOND RUNNER UP:

 Stacey Ricks: Take me to your leader!

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THIRD RUNNER UP:

 Kristen McGrady: I challenge you to a staring contest…and go……5 minutes later and winner still has not been declared!

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage Co., Inc.: Well lets see if eharmony can find a match for me…

Amy Farrugia Jones You are getting sleepy. When you awake you will bark like a dog every time you see the color red.

Kristal White If you believe it you can do it. Now concentrate and swim thru the glass

Erika Wehmeyer Livingston I hate it when these fish come by my aquarium to stare at me!

Barbara Blanchard Reed ‎…They really do exist…

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Thanks for joining in the fun!

Last Friday, we asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Here is the picture that was posted with the top voted caption by Tricia Nicole Mulkey McClelland!

SPOT-ACULAR, and the flock cheers!

Doesn't smell like chicken...

FIRST RUNNER UP:

  Lizette Kim Gonzalez: Darn… they’ve tricked me again!! ITS PLASTIC!! GGGRRRRRRAAAH…

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SECOND RUNNER UP:

  Sara Keene-Jeter: I thought we got free range, not processed

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THIRD RUNNER UP:

  Lynne Hengst: I wonder if Jonathon flamingo flocked me !?!?

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Tonia White: Ugh! I can’t eat this! Its pink!

Dana Rice: Unfortunately, the hiney sniff doesn’t give me any clue as to what this creature is. To eat or not to eat?

Tammy Farnsworth: If I get a wee bit lower I can blend right in…

Erika Wehmeyer Livingston: Nope. I still don’t see why the dogs do that!

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Thanks for joining in the fun!

Last Friday, we asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Here is the picture that was posted with the top voted caption by Tracy Thornton 

** CROWD ROAR!**

If you squint your eyes just right, they look like lunch

FIRST RUNNER UP:

 
Niki Roberts: Lester, I don’t have my glasses, are those people watching us?
No, dear, just the trees.

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A TIE FOR SECOND RUNNER UP:

Mike McDermott: Keep smiling, then I’ll take the one on the right, you cover me… 

Asa-Mari Elric: Nah. People give me gas. Let’s order pizza

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AND A TIE FOR THIRD RUNNERS UP:

Susan Cunningham: Darling, we must remember our sunglasses next time

Amy Farrugia Jones: “Just closeyour eyes, maybe they will go away!”

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Charlie Paul: If you squint hard enough you can imagine the Sahara over there…

Nicole Key: “Just LION around! Get it? Cause we’re lions?”
“Dammit, Jonathan, I got it! I didn’t laugh cause it’s still not funny.”

Nancy Gray Barrow: Pardon me my Queen…do we have any Grey Poupon?

AmyandVinnie Antoline: “The next Solar eclipse is when again”?

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Thanks for joining in the fun!

Last Friday, we asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

Here is the picture that was posted with the top voted caption by Leigh Spencer! ** Insert a day-after-Halloween Happy Dance!**

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Wait all you want, I'm not climbing into that pumpkin until you put the camera away!

FIRST RUNNER UP:

Stacey Ricks: Please sir, can I have some more?

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A SECOND RUNNER UP:

 
Renee Geer Leasure:  While I was on look out duty ya’ll ate all the goodies? This better be a trick!

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THIRD RUNNERS UP:

Barbara Blanchard Reed: sigh….I got a rock.

Toni Frazer Barber: I know the economy isn’t doing so well right now but this is a little drastic don’t you think?

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Diana Mercado: It wasn’t me…I didn’t eat all of the candy! I am naturally this full looking

Rosie Villegas: Wasn’t there suppose to be a rabbit?

Bryan Skinner: Meerkat on November 1st. “It can’t be over! It just can’t!”

Megan Tennill: Can I have some Candy, Pwease? I used my Meerkat Manners!

Heather Sauers: I can haz halloweenz candeez??

Kim Ivy Swicegood: What do you mean? This IS my costume!

Tricia Nicole Mulkey McClelland: You have to be kidding me… Right?

Lyndsey Butler:
Don’t trick this meerkat
Treat me fat
Place insects and crawlies in my pumpkin bowl
Or empty handed I’ll return to my burrowed hole

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Thanks for joining in the fun!
We hope you all had a really FUN Halloween… on to November!

Last Friday, we asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

Here is the picture that was posted - taken by Houston Zoo volunteer Juile Bearman –with the top voted caption by Rebecca Dolen Bowers ! ** Insert a Halloween Happy Dance!**

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Darling, please tell me where you get your hair done. That is the exact color I was going for.

FIRST RUNNER UP:

Sandra Fleming Studios: Take a deep breath. Does it hurt here? What about here? _________________________________________________________________________________

A SECOND RUNNER UP:

Donna Weaver: “We’ll have to let those trousers out just a little around the waist.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Sharika Brooks: ARE THEY SURE IM NOT A CHAMELEON?

Paul White: cousin it!

Shannon Smith Stilwell: Oooh a well ventilated little Tamarin casa just for me. Now, how do I get in?

Randall Laughlin: I swear I left my keys right here!

Stephanie Feller Lundy: I….I think i love you!

Kathern Sparks: “Orange you glad it’s Halloween? I know I am!” 4

Lori Schumacher: I’ll hide behind you and when they walk up I’ll jump out and yell, “Boo!” 4

Christine Forisha: Hey bud, have you tried the Hair Club for Primates? Works great!

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Thanks for joining in the fun!