Smithsonian National Zoo: North American Fauna

 Once you go past the Sea Lions and Seals to are confronted with a side path loop that is home to a little ensemble of North American animals.  There are two bird species: Ravens and American Bald Eagles, two small mammals: Beaver and North American River Otters.  And one canine: the Gray Wolf.  Of these, only the Otters were "en casa".   But if you had to choose just one--wouldn't you want it to be a pair of energetic, playful North American River Otters?

The upper end of the main winding path continues to the bottom of the multi-faceted Asian Elephant habitat.  It criss-crosses a flowing stream which is on one level artificial and covers a distance of over a quarter of a mile from it waterfall inception to the over-spill pond near the bottom that leads, when needed down into Rock Creek.  The entire creation has got to me one of the largest water features of its kind in any zoo anywhere.  And yet it blends so seamlessly into the landscape around it, that I doubt guests even wonder that it's not natural.  

If I lived in the neighborhood, I would find it difficult not to stake out a spot on one of the benches and spend my afternoons reading and watching the visitors pass by.  The natural flora invites lots of fauna.  I've personally encountered feral White-Tailed Deer in the wooded areas adjacent to the trail.  But for now...Otters!

The North American River Otter Habitat is large and designed with two "streams" that flow into a pool where guests can watch the Otters underwater as well.

The habitat is home to a pair, male and female.

The male noticed me and gave me a quick assay.

The view as I hike on up the pathway beyond the North American habitats; stream to the left as I approach the first bridge over it.  

Arena Stage: Damn Yankees

 Without the least regard to coining the most obvious of all clichés I must say that Arena Stage's production of "Damn Yankees" hits it OUT OF THE PARK!  I've never been to a show at Arena Stage that felt more immediate, more intimate.  How glad I am that I got a seat in the third row middle.  The show is one of the gems from the classic era of Broadway.  In a nutshell, an obsessed baseball fan sells his soul to the devil to be made young again so that he can lead his beloved team to the world series.  In this case, the team in question is the Baltimore Orioles.  In doing so he leaves his beloved wife without being able to explain why.  The Devil sees how his love for his wife could be problematic, and so he employs his most successful temptress to refocus the young man's mind.  In the end, the love of his wife wins out and the devil loses.  

Its original production featured the amazing Ray Walston as the Devil and Gwen Verdon as the Temptress.  The two performances became iconic, and Verdon's "Lola" a high point in her career.  Perhaps that way it isn't as frequently performed as many of its contemporaries.  In this production, the cast could hardly have been better.  The vocal excellence of three of the main characters in particular set the bar on the top rung early on.  Bryonha Marie as the abandoned housewife, Meg Boyd, and both iterations of her husband; Quentin Earl Darrington as the older Joe Boyd, and the stunningly talented Jordan Donica as the reborn younger Joe "Hardy" brought a powerful, yet exquisitely restrained interpretation to "Goodbye, Old Girl" and "A Man Doesn't Know".  After the first number, the energy in the audience came so close to driving us to stand in ovation--I still wish I had.  

The role of Lola went to Ana Villafañe--think an impossibly svelte Sofia Vagara--or as my father would have sure said, "What a cool glass of water!"  Her sex appeal was up for the role, even if her dancing was just a smidge off, at least by comparison to the "team".  The Orioles were cast as 4 principal and 8 total men who all knew how to make a baseball uniform shine.  The choreography replete with acrobatics and prop use (baseball bats, of course) was a joyous celebration of masculine energy.  Hats off to Sergio Trujillo who not only directed the production, but also choreographed it!

Of course the details rest with the Devil.  Rob McClure was a total revelation to me.  He owned the role and when the stage was his so was the theater.  I'm tellin' ya, somewhere north or south Ray Walston is smiling with his thumbs planted up!  Like Walston, McClure has an amazing theatrical voice.  Where as Donica, Darrington and Marie possess of depth of power that could work as well with Wagner or Puccini--McClure, with perfect pitch, delivers lyrics as if everything anyone ever says is sung.  It's a skill that I have rarely really encountered at this level of ease and recitation.  

The stage was as much defined by the lighting as it was by any set piece.  Iterations of which (chairs, benches, cabinets, desks, tables slid in and out as needed from the four entrances to the arena.  Additionally, carefully placed circles descended and ascended to whisk away or swoop in various of the characters at key moments.  In conjunction with the lighting effects this switching felt truly magical -- and I overheard a row mate exclaim "How did they do that!".  

Other updates of note.  The main characters were all African American.  An easy and 2025 appropriate innovation.  During the opening number "Six Months Out Of Every Year" when the house "wives" lament to power of baseball over their "husbands" six couple were presented.  One was gay (two men), and the other featured a father with baby strapped over his chest and a bottle in his hand while his wife spotted a baseball cap and mitt!  Woke is not a virus.  Woke is how we are meant to live in a multi-cultural society.
Of the baseball players in uniform only a couple have names that are prescribed by the script. This gave the design team another opportunity to toss in a subtle peanut or two.  So one of the Black players had the name "Babatunde" on his jersey--homage to the Nigerian born NBA player?  Or someone else.  It certainly was the sort of name you would have expected to find on an Orioles uniform back in Memorial Stadium in the 1950's.  Yes, they even got the name of the stadium right!  No matter the detail--this show gets it right.

On stage through November 9th--honestly, run to don't walk to get tickets.  I'm seriously considering going again. 

Meg (Bryonha Marie) and Joe (Quentin Earl Darrington) Boyd in the opening scene.

Dancing Baseball Players!

Joe Hardy (Jordan Donica) and Meg Boyd

Lola (Ana Villafañe) cooking up a plan to save Joe from Hell.

Applegate, a.k.a the Devil, (Rob McClure)

Get it?  Apple Gate?  Eden...the Apple...the gate to Heaven or Hell...

Smithsonian National Zoo: Sea Lions and Seals

 As you leave the Andean Spectacled Bear habitats you start a journey up the switchback American Trail toward the top.  Soon you'll see a "cave".  Upon closer inspection it's an underwater observation area for the California Sea Lions.  A trio of which seemed to revel in sharing their graceful aqua-ballet.  On the far end, you can exit up to an amphitheater where keepers sometimes offer talks.  Originally designed with a seal show in mind, this sort of engagement no longer takes place.

Above the cave you can still watch the Sea Lions frolic underwater from multiple perspectives overlooking the huge pool with over 300,000 gallons of water!  Besides the Sea Lions, a trio of Brown Pelicans also call the habitat home.

Turning back toward the top of the trail you see there's more!  A 125,000 gallon adjacent pool that is home to a trio of Gray Seals.  On this warm September afternoon, they were all lounging around soaking up the warmth.  The entire complex is the finest I've ever encountered for pinnipeds in any zoo or aquarium.  St. Louis Zoo's is also nice and Pittsburgh Zoo's could be if only there were ever any seals on site! 

Cave, no cave?  Better!  Cave with a surprise.

California Sea Lion

Zalophus californianus

California Sea Lion habitat from above on the southern end.

From the upper underwater viewing space.

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

Lazy Gray Seal, with her coat dry, you can see the fur's shimmer.

The entrance to their holding is also a cave-like structure.

Sleeping half submerged, belly up!

Gray Seal

Halichoerus grypus

Parting view: The Gray Seal Pool from the northern end looking back.

Smithsonian National Zoo: Andean Spectacled Bear

 Just beyond the Amazonia building and complex of habitats is a triad of circa 1930's habitats.  Not all are inhabited.  They are classic moat based open habitats that today house the zoo's Andean Spectacled Bears.

These habitats feature faux rock-work, trees and grass and concealed entrances to the off-site holding areas.  The Smithsonian National Zoo has a good track record at participating in the Andean Spectacled Bear SSP (Species Survival Program).  Most recently their breeding pair, Brienne and Quito, produced a pair of twins in November of 2022.  Both males, they were christened Sean and Ian.  In early autumn, last year, the boys were transferred together to the Potowatomie Zoo in South Bend, Indiana.  Eventually, one will be moved on for SSP breeding recommendations.

On this day, one of the two, Brienne or Quito, was out in the first and largest habitat.  I'm thinking it's Quito, but I have not magical understanding of or proprietary knowledge about this.  Assuming, he was very comfortable schmoozing to the small gathering of visitors!

This type of habitat was once considered the epitome of best practices.  Frankly, I feel like it holds up very well.  The moat is the issue.  You don't want to create a structure within the habitat that can be the source of harm or injury to the inhabitants.

Looking for the comfy spot...

Andean Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos ornatus

Smithsonian National Zoo: Amazonia

Almost hidden in the lower south end of the zoo is one of its multi-purpose structures called Amazonia.  Within you'll discover a multistory rain forest.  The bottom level gives you access to huge aquariums filled with enormous and beautiful fish and even turtles.  When you reach the floor above, these tanks form the surface of the "River" that flows through the multi-story jungle.  Now you can look over the edge and down upon the same gentle giants you'd just been watching glide around at eye-level.

The jungle is also a free-fly Aviary; however on this visit there were only 5 birds present.  A beautiful Roseate Spoonbill (who is always there), and a quartet of Scarlet Ibis.  Sometimes there have been Bolivian Titi Monkeys, at other times a Three-toed Sloth.  When mammals are present, there is also a keeper to make sure nothing harmful can happen.  Even when they are there, things can go awry.  I was there one time when the sloth slipped and fell out of a tree to the shock and alarm of everyone.  

When I first arrived in the lower level there is a pool with River Rays in it.  Sometimes there are also ducks and usually the Roseate Spoonbill.  When I didn't see any birds I leaned in and looked up to discover the Roseate Spoonbill looking back down at me.  I took a couple of pictures, and with no one else around, I also spoke to her.  Low.  Gently.  When I got to the end of the jungle pathway as I was looking down at the fish in the river there was a sudden "wooosh~ FLOP!"  And there she was, perched on the railing practically arm's length away.  She proceeded to watch me as I took more pics.  

After leaving this area, you enter a lobby that takes you to an Amphibian Lab full of displays and views through large glass windows into areas where Amphibians are studied and bred.  Theoretically, you could end up there when a keeper or a scientist was actually working; however, in maybe 15 visits--I've never encountered this.  In general, you never see volunteers at the National Zoo, and keepers are likewise few and far between.  The amphibians are dominated by various species of Poison Dart Frogs, but there are other frogs, newts, salamanders and a most curious creature called an Aquatic Caecilian.  At one point, I met this lovely young woman who was more than happy to chat about PD Frogs.  When we ended our conversation, I wished her a "wonderful visit."

The facade is really lovely; an homage to late 20th century post-modernism.  Jungle to right and amphibians to the left.

The first thing you see is this pool of Amazon River Rays

Spotted Amazon River Rays, there are three members of the Potamotrygon species: P. castexi, P. Leopoldi, and P. Motoro.  As I stood by the edge, they came to me--such curious and beautiful creatures.  Unfortunately, I had nothing to feed them.

Looking up to the upper level I discovered the Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja.

In the under corridor massive glass windows display the animals swimming in the "River."

Up a floor and you are on a pathway through a rain forest.

The quartet of Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber.

Across the lobby and down the stairs into the Amphibian Center.

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Two species of Poison Dart (PD) Frogs

Blue PD Frog

Dendrobates tinctorius azureus

Dyeing PD Frog

Dendrobates tinctorius

Bumblebee PD Frog

Dendrobates leucomelas

A pair of Eastern Red Spotted Newt.

Eastern Red Spotted Newt

Notophthalmus viridenscens

Green and Black PD Frog

Dendrobates auratus

The next two PD Frogs are species I have never seen before in a North American zoo.

Blessed PD Frog

Ranitomeya benedicta

Brazilian PD Frog

Ranitomeya vanzolinii

Looks like they are playing a game of PD Frog "Twister".

Gray Tree Frog

Hyla versicolor