I've lived in Washington D.C. for almost 11 years now, and if you can believe it, I went to the Smithsonian National Zoo for the first time just one week ago!  I didn't even go when the baby pandas were there - so shameful!  What is my problem?  It's one of D.C.'s best FREE attractions, after all.  

Here are some of my favorite photographs from the day.  It was a hot day, so the animals were spending a lot of time doing low-energy activities or staying inside.  I, unfortunately, only got to see one of the pandas from a distance, so I will have to do a return trip in the near future to get some more detailed photographs.  I would have to say one of the highlights was the surprise we received when we left the reptile exhibit only to find two huge orangutangs directly above us using the "O-Line" to travel from one monkey house to the other.  I thought I was on the set of a Star Wars movie and Chewbacca was doing a scene!