2016 was a long, difficult year on many levels, so it seemed fitting to begin 2017 on a much softer, more adorable note. I decided to take a trip to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse to wander for a few hours and get my mind off of the current state of politics, and was welcomed by a wide variety of animals happy to be my companion.
I spent a half hour just watching the goats eat and wander around, a couple of them finding me interesting enough to spend some time with me. Unless you spend time close to goats you tend to miss how interesting their eyes are. It feels as though they're looking through you instead of at you, which can be both comforting and disconcerting at the same time.
I walked the loop, noticing all of the red pandas piled on top of each other at the top of a tree, deciding to come back later. I then came across the penguins who seemed giddy with the weather. Watching penguins interact is one of my favourite things as they come off as bickering children, smacking each other around, but then immediately making up as friends.
On my trip back around I struck gold, finding one of the younger red pandas running about, climbing up and down the tree repeatedly. As is usually the case when I come across an active red panda, I spent nearly an hour just watching him have fun, enjoying the brisk weather.
So although this video has no deeper meaning, I find its important to step back and just enjoy life as these animals are. Sometimes you just need a cuddly animal to lift your spirits for the day.