What Lies Beneath

American Alligator.  Photo by Denver Degonia

Black Monitor.  Photo by Denver Degonia

Most of my best laid plans end stuffed on a dusty bookshelf while real life and learning happens unexpectedly and in all directions. This is the lesson I must repeatedly learn. Luckily, I find myself amazed and grateful to witness the unexpected.

Today, while Spencer attended the Atlanta Zoo's Homeschool Academy and learned about various species of marsupials, Denver and I wandered through the zoo in freezing weather.  We had hours to pass, and most of the animals were off exhibit.

Chameleon photo by Denver Degonia

Luckily, we found our way to the new amphibian and reptile house.  I didn't know how long it would last.  Denver is not known for patience. The first animal of great interest was a big, green chameleon.  Look at it's eyes!  Watch the way it turns its feet and grips the branches!  Let's take a picture!  

Gaboon Viper photo by Denver Degonia

Within moments, Denver had a new passion-- photography!  I showed him how to use the camera on my phone and he was off.

He spent the next hour and a half taking photographs and we talked about each animal.  Denver was delighted with the challenge of getting good angles and clear pictures.  He wanted to talk about the details of each species-- where they lived, what they ate, which were venomous, and which were endangered.  

Say Cheese!  Photo by Denver Degonia

He repeatedly exclaimed, "I can't believe I'm so good at taking pictures!"  We spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening talking about reptiles.

Basilisk.  It can run across water!
Photo by Denver Degonia

Who could have planned such exuberance and interest?  Not me.  But I am so grateful to have been there.  I never know what interests and discoveries lie unseen, waiting for the right moment to surface.

Our Happy  Photographer.
He let me take a picture!