Saturday 2 November 2013

A day with all creatures great and small

As it was my birthday Him Indoors had organised a little surprise for me, and I was very happy to discover that we were going to Marwell Wildlife. Although we live very close to the zoo we stayed overnight at the hotel to be pampered with some nice food and drink, and so we could have a nice and early start the next day. However our timing was a bit off. As you may know we had a terrible storm in the south of the UK the night between Sunday and Monday, the worst one we've had for almost 30 years in fact, and as the rain and wind was raging outside I've never been so glad to sit nice, snug and safe in front of a warm fire, but we weren't sure that we would be able to go ahead with the visit next day. The storm lasted all night, but we woke up in the morning to beautiful blue skies, perfect to go out and do something fun, so we headed over to zoo, camera all ready for some happy photo snapping!

Despite the horrible weather the night before we were lucky that they had managed to clear away a lot of the debris both in the animal enclosures and on the paths of the zoo, so we did manage to get access eventually to most of the animals. The animals didn't seem effected at all by the previous night's weather and they were all out and about so we could get some fun photos - although some of them were clearly more willing models than others...

 
The highlight of the day was without a doubt to see the snow leopards, which was the main reason for the visit, and it was also kind of a theme since I had got two tops and some mittens with a snow leopard pattern for my birthday. Earlier this year there were three snow leopard cubs born at Marwell, which is a very rare thing. Unfortunately one of the cubs died unexpectedly, but the fact that two have survived is a really positive thing to try and secure the survival of the species (there are only between 4000 - 7000 left on the planet). I'm absolutely fascinated by the snow leopards - I love to go and see them, and I could spend hours just sitting next to them, observing - they're such incredible graceful, proud and elegant creatures. 

We had a wonderful day out, and I'm so glad we got to see the snow leopards in the end. If you're in the Hampshire area and you're looking for a nice place to visit, I recommend that you stop by Marwell for a great day outdoors and a chance to see some great and small animals.

75 comments:

  1. The zoo looks great! Also many of your photos are really beautiful. I'm glad you had a nice day out. :)

    Blu Button Box

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    1. Hello Zuzana, thank you very much - I got to be a kid again, all day :O). Xx

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  2. Wow..beautiful pics...v pretty

    Check out my recent one :
    http://www.vanitynoapologies.com/2013/11/mac-riri-woo-lipstick-review-swatches-comparison-ruby-woo-russian-red.html

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    1. Thanks a million, it was a super day :O). Have a great day! Xx

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  3. Replies
    1. Hello Eline, thank you, that's very nice of you :O). Xx

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  4. OMG! How cool is that!! Great photos. Thx for sharing. Would you like to follow each other on GFC? Let me know.
    xo
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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    1. Hiya Lenya, thank you so much! Following you now - love the outfits on your blog! Hope you'll visit here again soon :O). Xx

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  5. Amazing photographs! Looks like you had a great day :) x

    lamourjosie.com

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    1. We did thanks - the only that could have made it better was if we got to go in with the snow leopards :o). Xx

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  6. Wow great photos. Some of these animals look so cute. :)
    fashionhappenss.blogspot.sk

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    1. That's very nice of you - thank you :o). Xx

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  7. lovely photos, my favourites are the ones of the snow leopard :) glad you had a nice day!
    saida xx

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    1. Thank you very much, that's so nice of you - we had a fab time, I could have stayed with the snow leopards all day :O). Xx

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  8. Happy birthday!! Looks like you had an amazing day - your photos are beautiful!!

    Jess xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much - it was a fab day :o). Xx

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  9. Wow, really amazing photos! Happy birthday xxxx

    Lauren xx | Lauren J

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    1. Thank you so much, that's really nice of you! Xx

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  10. Happy birthday! I'm mesmerized by the pictures of all the exotic animals. :-)

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    1. Thank you very much It's so fun to think that they're almost my neighbours :o). Have a great weekend! Xx

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  11. some lovely photos you've taken ! I loooooove animals :) x
    http://rosarieslittlecloset.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. That's so sweet of you - thanks a million! Xx

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  12. The animals are adorable! Thanks for sharing! So glad the weather didn't hold you back :)

    AddictedtoOPI

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    1. When they told us some of the paths were closed off it was a bit worrying, but it all worked out in the end and it was lots of fun! Xx

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  13. What beautiful photos!!!! We hope you enjoyed your stay! Sounds like a great time to us! :)

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    1. Thank you so much ladies, hope you're having a great weekend :o). Xx

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  14. Snow Leopards are awesome! They look so soft. :3

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    1. They're beautiful, and that long tail is sooo cute :O). Xx

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  15. Replies
    1. Thank you so much - they were very willing models :o). Xx

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  16. Charlotte, your pictures are amazing! I particularly love the cheeky meerkats :)

    Lucy x

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    1. Hello Lucy - that's so lovely of you THANK YOU! Hope you're having a great weekend! Xx

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  17. love the quality of the pictures x

    make-up-your-mindx.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much, that's very nice of you :O). Xx

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  18. nice pics
    http://www.srinjla.com/2013/11/30-days-eye-makeup-challenge-day24.html#.UnU6KaWXvwI

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  19. I LOVE THE ZOO SO MUUUUUUCH
    x

    libbyjade26.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me turning into a kid and having such an amazing time :o). Xx

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  20. Happy Birthday! What a lovely surprise - such a good idea for a birthday - particularly with an overnight stay with food and drink!! Great pics too!!

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    1. Thank you - we had an amazing time, it's always nice to get away for the night :o). Xx

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  21. Hello AgnƩ - thank you so much. Following you now - hope you're having a lovely weekend and that you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  22. I am obsessed with animals. I was so excited doing my zoo post. Penguins are my favourite. If i'm ever visiting the Hampshire area I will defibitely be going here. Amazing pictures!

    Rachael x
    All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan

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    1. Thanks a million! If you do, let me know and I'll give you a guided tour :o). Xx

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  23. Haha the shot of the cheetah's butt!

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    1. I thought it was a hilarious photo, and just had to snap it :O). Xx

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  24. Wow! It looks like you had an amazing time! Great blog! :)
    lipstickandlightening.blogspot.ie

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    1. Thank you very much, hope you'll visit again soon :O). Xx

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  25. SO awesome (: looks like an amazing day out!

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    1. It really was - hope you're having a great weekend :O). Xx

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  26. Amazing!! I love snow leopards too, but have only seen them on the TV so would love to see them in the flesh. I will have to google Marwell to see how far away it is! Looks like you had a great day despite the horrible storm x

    www.taupeandpearl.com

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    1. Hi Kirsty - we did thank you, it all worked out great in the end :O). Xx

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  27. nothing beats a day at the zoo, we don't think you're ever too old to enjoy getting up close and personal with your furry friends!

    http://mkstyleramblings.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. I completely agree - and it's good to let your inner child come out to play :O). Xx

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  28. Some of these are the cutest! If you want you should look into PETA they protect animals like these! :) I am part of their organization because of my dog!

    xoxo,
    Tallia
    trendinginfashion.blogspot.com

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    1. That's a great idea, thanks for the recommendation! Xx

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  29. Lovely photos you have there Charlotte, I can imagine you bending and stooping just to get the right angles! =)

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    1. Thank you very much. Yep - that sounds exactly right LOL. Xx

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  30. Replies
    1. Hello Lauren - thank you so much, hope you'll visit again soon and that you're having a great weekend! Xx

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  31. Wow fantastic pics!!! I love the snow leopards! I'm just a cat lover in general. Thank you for visiting my blog, now following yours xxx

    http://bellezzababe.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Hello Tia, thank you so much, that's really nice of you :o). Xx

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  32. Snow leopards are so cute! :)

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    1. Imagine having one of those as an indoor cat :o). Xx

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  33. Oh, lovely little animals. I hope they are alright there.

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    1. I do like animals - my dream is to go on a safari one day :o). Xx

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  34. Such gorgeous photos of the animals!

    writingwhimsy.com

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  35. First Happy Birthday!!! Here's to a wonderful year. Second, love the pics!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. :o) - thank you very much, so sweet of you :o). Hope you had a good weekend! Xx

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  36. Happy belated birthday hun! It looks like you had a lovely day, can never go wrong with going to see animals. :D

    http://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/

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  37. cute pics :) really enjoyed it ! thanks for sharing !
    www.ambifashion.com

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  38. OMG, the animal pictures look adorable! Really cool that you managed to blur out the fences! Most of the time I end up taking photos of "the fences" at the zoo :P

    Beauty from the Fjord xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, it took a bit of fiddling with the settings but I got there in the end. I just wish some of these lovely creatures were more willing models :o). Xx

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