We're finally moving into The Pollening. Unhappy because my allergies are awful this year and it's been raining nonstop, but I'm hoping this means no more snow.
Around here in northwestern Europe, after a pretty promising start to our spring in February and March and a mixed bag in April, things have taken a turn towards more lousy weather in May. For a few weeks now the temperatures have been lower than average for the time of the year and the weather has been more fickle and unstable in terms of cloud coverage, wind and (mild) rain. I'm getting a bit tired of this weather to be honest - I want a little more sun and more stable, drier weather. Our current weather isn't very conductive to zoo visits and I'm starting to long for one - but given the fickle weather, it doesn't seem like one is coming up very soon. Zoos might not be as busy during this kind of weather, but in terms of animal visibility it's probably not ideal, and I don't like the idea of rain on my camera either. I'm not sure what to do, but it looks likely I'll just have to have some more patience....
Today, May 20, it should be in the 90's Farenheit and sunny in Tucson (this time of year). Instead it is gray overcast and in the 60's Farenheit.
I visited a zoo during a torrential downpour, flashflood warning, and tornado watch the other day. It was a good visit. ~Thylo
There were maybe a couple other people. Almost all of the animals were kept indoors except for the canines, pinnipeds, most waterfowl, cassowaries (oddly), Bald Eagle, alligators, and giant tortoises. Around 1pm the rain stopped and more people showed up, with most of the animals eventually being let outdoors. ~Thylo
There's been so many times that rain was on the forecast on my trips to the zoo, though it's never really rained, oddly. I've only been hit with hard rain one time at a zoo in Florida, though it was pretty short and was scorching after.
And now I see that it snowed today in the mountains above Tucson. Insane! Snow falls on Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains on May 20
So how has this heatwave across Europe been affecting the zoos? I'm on holiday for a week now and am still considering a trip to Dierenrijk and Wuppertal, as well as maybe a return to Pairi Daiza (open 'til 9 pm during the week in July) and either Beeks Bergen or Burgers. I don't want to find the majority of my targets hiding in the shade all day if it's too hot.
I have friends in East Flanders about 70km from PD. Last week it has been mid to high 30s with a 'feels like' of 45 (quite exceptional) - now it is about the same as here, but the heat is predicted to return. Hot in Bavaria, and out to Switzerland too, apparently...
I'm off to Montpellier very soon and hoping to visit the zoo so hoping things will cool down a bit soon.
Going by the chart I posted in May Chicago is currently between Summer and Hell's Front Porch. It's hot, it's humid, almost every day we've had thunderstorms. This weekend there's a heatwave.
@Ned My parents have a flat in Montpellier and I have been soooo many times. Top tip: see the lions really early or really late or you won't see them. Also go to the tropical house - it's the best part.
