On the Twelfth Day of Christmas - Zoo Lights

Attending Zoo Lights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a holiday tradition for many.  We almost skipped it this year but decided to go on the last weekend of the event.

This lighted sea lif celebration was a popular place to take pictures.  While we saw the sharks in their huge habitat, we missed seeing Santa feed them.

Mt. Rainier in lights. 

There were lots of lit animals but many of them moved or flew over paths so they had to be experienced to be appreciated.

 This panda seems happy with his bamboo lunch!   This is just the thing that we need to control those pesky running bamboos.  Right Allan?

 Polar bears on ice seem to have decided to vacation down south this winter. 

 There seemed to be lights in every direction!

The purple tree changes a bit each year but, for many,  remains a favorite part of the show. 

The Tacoma Narrows Bridges.  The older one in front replaced the famous "Galloping Gertie."

In case you haven't seen the video of the bridge falling in a windstorm, here it is:

Zoo Lights on acid.  This is what happens when on tries to make a movie on a camera when he can't see the dials in the dark. Fun though. 

Peacock strutting his stuff.

I wouldn't so much mind if this is the last snow we see this winter. 

Reindeer.  Can you find Rudolph?

The giant octopus trying to eat the North Pacific Aquarium building. 

Are we still in the soggy Northwest?

Yes, we are!  For those who aren't  sports fanatics, the Seattle Seahawks, a football team, use the 12th man idea that originated in Minnesota in 1900 and has been used by many teams, most notably Texas A&M.  Anyway, the 12 sits atop a huge tree decorated in the Seahawk team colors.  I'm borrowing the 12 for Twelfth Night, when the liturgical church in the west celebrates Epiphany, the coming of the wise men, and the 12th day of the twelve-day feast of Christmas.   In the Eastern Church, January 6 is the day Christmas is celebrated. 

Twelfth Night celebrations predate Christianity.  For more information and cool pictures about the tradition, see this article in The Telegraph.  Love the green man costume!  Happy last day of Christmas all!