Smithsonian National Zoo: Amazonia, part 2 (from June 16)

Now here's where it got really interesting.  As fate would have it, the Hoffman's Two-toed Sloth was out for the first time since he'd taken a bit of fall in an epic fail of arboreal acrobatics.  Reached for a branch of the Cassowary tree and it gave way sending old Vlad on a spill.  Fortunately, he was not hurt and judging from his maiden return, he also was not daunted.  While we were watching him and a somewhat nervous keeper stood nearby, 31-year-old Vlad slowly made his way from the large ficus tree that he was in toward the pruned, but still very tempting source of his recent calamity--the cassowary tree.

WIth all of the patience of a brain surgeon, Vlad made his way through obstacles and out on a tenuous limb to reach so far beyond his grasp in attempt after attempt each one more daring than the previous.  Finally grabbing the large flimsy frond and pulling it toward himself.  At this point the keeper, a small asian woman began maneuvering herself under the little fur ball, sweat beads forming on her brow and days of collegiate softball practice dancing about her mind.  And then it happened--POP!  The frond broke loose from the tree.  The sloth recoiled like a rock launched from a catapult releasing the giant leaf which fluttered to the ground while Vlad just ricocheted around in the top of the ficus.  As every caught our collective breaths, the sloth without skipping a beat turned his attention elsewhere and began making his way to a new adventure.  Now that's called showbiz, folks!  It was more exciting that watching some fool on a motorcycle try to jump a canyon, too.

One last look back.