Talking to one hive friend, in a completely different topic and in another post, we came across the topic of safaris, and zoos. He visited Kenia and went on safari in Masai Mara, and in his opinion, the only drawback can be the tourism and crowded places that can disbalance the natural habitat of the animals. He is not much into the favour of zoos and artificial wildlife parks. He says:
I think they served a purpose in the past before we had the big wide internet.
This made me think, how neither I am a fan of zoos if it is like a prison for animals as they should live in their natural environment. But somehow we have to find the golden mean, as in everything in life.
Not all zoos are the same. Nearby we have one called Terra Natura, and it spreads over a large area. From what we have seen, the conditions for the animals are optimal. During the summer, children can go to the zoo's summer school, and be there with the animals, feed them, and learn about them.
Still thinking about that zoo, memories came. Around this time, during the winter, back in 2013, we agreed with some friends that we would all visit that zoo together with our children. They are not from the same city as us, and we wanted to hang out, talk and spend a day together.
Our children were still small at that time, so we thought it would be a good idea to spend the day somewhere where the children would see something interesting and we could enjoy each other's company. Terra Natura was our common choice.
In today's post for #saturdaymemories, an initiative by 
As you have already seen in the first picture, there were beautiful specimens of a red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus). This is the largest of the genus Ara, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America.
There were some blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) as well, but this one was playing hide and seek with us. He didn't want to look at the camera when we took a picture of him.
Later, we managed to take a picture while he was holding his plate. And also when was a bit higher, sitting in the branch.
The next one was this military macaw (Ara militaris). He was also interested in his bowl. Probably they got some food before or were waiting to get it, who knows now, 8 years later.
The children were amused. They were walking and looking to the birds, and "reading" the map where we should go next. The highest one is my son... Now he is tall like that door.
Those Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) are tall as well. Always looking for something in the water, but calmly and with elegance. I liked them so much.
The wise and calmly looking owls posed to us. I think it was an European eagle-owl, and as you can see, it is a huge owl. The females can grow to a total length of 75 cm.
This one is an Indian eagle owl. He was looking at us, ok, we got the message, we will let you alone.
We saw as well great white pelicans, a lot of ducks, ostriches, storks, eagles, and some exotic birds whose names I don't remember.
A bonus for the end. Not a bird, but a snake. A king cobra. I hope you will be able to sleep after this snake photo. I will try not to look to much time to this last photo...
Thank you for going with me back in time, to 2013. Which bird is your favourite one from this post?
All the photos were taken by my husband and me, in 2013 in Terra Natura, Benidorm, Spain.