Parque Zoologico Concepcion

This week we attended Barrio Penco, which is one of the sweetest and most loving of wards. The members welcomed us warmly, and when one of the elderly ladies fainted during a meeting, the bishop stood up and calmly made assignments to everyone concerned with taking care of her. We loved attending this ward.

Few members knew about changes in the Perpetual Education Fund, so we gave out materials and had another impromptu meeting under the direction of the bishop to explain it all.

The view from the second story of the Penco chapel, across the Bay of Concepcion to the Naval Base on Talcahuano, where we played golf last week.

A photo of me beside the ward building.

This was the last week of classes for weaving and felting. I wanted to take a photo of our smiling Nuvia and her Nativity figures, so she had to dress up specially in her uniform.

Our favorite weaver also does exquisite needle felting, as would be expected.

For our week's adventure all the senior missionaries, including the two new office couples, visited the Zoo Concepcion in Valle Nonguen, south of Collao. We had been told it was just a small zoo, but it certainly held its own with all the zoos I've visited. The Chilean greeter insisted on taking photos of everyone as we came in.

Cabras de la Isla Juan Fernandez, miniature goats from Robinson Crusoe's islands due west of Valparaiso.

Among the lovely birds in the laguna section was this Caiquen, with a habitat ranging from the Cone of South America (Chile and Argentina) to the Straits of Magellan.

The central exhibit was an Andean Condor, a beautiful fellow who seemed to know he was being photographed. He kindly posed for us wearing this beatific smile.

Anther sly glance for the camera 

 Llamas are ferocious protectors of sheep, and are often herded with them.

Not being a fan of monkeys in general, I still couldn't resist taking a photo of this Papion Sagrada, Sacred Baboon. I don't know what was sacred about him, with the evil eye he was giving me. 

Peuco, the Mapundungan word for Harris' Hawk, Parabueto Unicinctus, which ranges from the southwest coast of the United States to Chile and Argentina. These birds resemble peregrine falcons.

Native Chilean Pudu, the Mapundungan name for the world's smallest deer. These Pudu are eating their grain first and leaving the vegetables for last. 

The zoo even boasted two beautiful white tigers, a Bengal tiger, and a brown bear.

The Jirafa in an awkward-looking eating position

Liebre Mara or Patagonian Hare, or, as Elder Pendley likes to call them, Jackalopes.

My photos of the gigantic brown bear were not successful, but I did get a nice picture of his name, BooBoo the Bear. Bilz and Pap are popular strawberry and papaya flavored soft drinks in Chile.

The Emus' rather shaggy hairdos made me laugh, until this one started to yawn, after which I started yawning.

Our new senior missionaries, the Lees and the Wynns, sent from Arizona and Boise, to help in the Concepcion Sur and Concepcion Mission offices. The Pendleys and the Kauers are delighted to have them.

More tired missionaries, at the end of the trail at the Parque Zoologico Concepcion.