Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero

Dedicated to the Central Coast explorer.

Click the pic for enlargement.

The bird exhibits are wonderful. Open, well planned, and colorful, they're a photographers playground.

Flamingos cavort in the open, emu's watch curiosly, and a visit through the steel door transports you to a new land.

Don't forget to keep an eye open for the newest neighbor, a Suawesi Ground Dove. You can't miss the colorful yellow breast and mutli-colored head.

I almost miss the aviary every time I go to the zoo. But you'll even find zoo employees slipping in here during their breaks to enjoy the magic.

Mere cats, monkeys, wallabys and prehensile tailed porcupines are among the other animals the zoo boasts.