Today we went to Shepreth Wildlife Park, located about 20 minutes' drive from Cambridge. Although the day was sunny, it was very cold (8°C maximum!). We wondered if we would see many animals. As it happened, I took 309 photos during the day! You can see the best of them here. Again, there were several breeds of animal that I had never seen before.
We were most concerned that they are clearly underfeeding the prairie dogs!
The capybara was enjoying the sun and looking so much like its much smaller relative, the guinea pig.
I don't think I have seen a mara before. It is another relative of the guinea pig!
A piranha
This iguana was situated in its cage such that I could only photograph these two bits of him.
A Great Horned Owl
This rabbit appears quite nondescript in the photo but it is HUGE - the size of a very large cat at least! It's a Giant Papillon Rabbit. This breed can weigh up to 6kg!
It was difficult to photograph the Egyptian Fruit Bats because it was dark and they move very quickly.
A coati
This life-sized model crocodile was used in the film "Finding Neverland".
A crab-eating macaque
A meerkat
Another meerkat!
A chinchilla is the size of a small rabbit.
Although I asked nicely, the tiger would not turn around.
This was the best it would do.
Barn Owl
It was good to catch up with a fellow Australian.
The crested porcupines were, sensibly, asleep in their beds when we first called upon them. They were much more animated at feeding time!
The cusimanse was an animal new to me.
A macaw enjoying its dinner
Prairie dogs love to dig. They had an extensive network of tunnels.
We had both hoped to see a hedgehog. When we peered through the window of the Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital (part of the park), a kind lady held this one up for us.
On the way back to Cambridge, we stopped to visit two churches (just for a change).
All Saints', Barrington was built between the early 13th and the 15th century.
The bell ropes are kept well out of reach of curious visitors.
The lost sheep looks pretty happy to be found!
I wondered if the artist who made this window had ever actually seen a sheep! It's a sort of half cat!
I really liked this window.
As with another church, there was obviously a screen located here. There were steps behind the metal grill leading up to the door above (which now leads to the quick way down).
Simon the Zealot ended up being sawn in half (according to some traditions).
The top part of the font dates from the 12th century and the bottom part from the 13th century.
The Church at Haslingfield is also dedicated to All Saints. The church was consecrated in 1352 but some parts of it are even earlier.
This gargoyle includes some additional plumbing to help it dispose of rainwater.
Sadly, the old pews have recently been replaced.
The East Window
A memorial sculpture
Detail from a window