Smithsonian National Zoo: American Trail--Treasures of North America

Having traversed the zoo from bottom to top along the main promenade, the best way back down is to take a detour along the Elephant Trail to the entrance of the "American Trail: Treasures of North America".  Built along a natural run on the property the American Trail was the last part of a multi-phase renovation of the Seal habitats that also redesigned homes for a range of North American Fauna.  The path meanders which mercifully ameliorates the steepness of the grade.  It passes a naturalistic waterfall that forms a steam which flows around the path all the way down to the North American River Otter habitat. 

You can see: Ravens, American Bald Eagles, Gray Wolves, North American River Otters, American Beaver, Brown Pelicans and three species of Seal: Harbor Seals, Grey Seals, and California Sea Lions.  In the same vane as the Sloth Bears, I have never seen the Beavers.  When you visit their habitat you can pretty much count on seeing Wood Ducks, but count yourself lucky if there are any Beavers out and about.

The Seal habitats are truly impressive.  They are the finest I've ever seen at any zoo.  The larger of the two is home to a California Sea Lion family of three animals.  The smaller--but realize it is still huge!--is home to a pair of Harbor Seals and a trio of Grey Seals.  To see these beautiful animals in such proximity gives you a very unique opportunity to compare their distinctive features and honestly the size of adult Grey Seals is truly impressive.

Raven

North American River Otter

 The National Zoo is home to a pair of Gray Wolves.  The girls were raised together, but recently had a major row and are now living in separate areas of their habitat. 

Grey Seal--Look at that beautiful nose!

They are trained to be weighed, but this one found the scale to be quite comfortable!

Brown Pelicans

California Sea Lion

The larger habitat for the California Sea Lions and Brown Peilcans