As the weather begins to warm from a cool, though not really cold winter...except for those two snowstorms in one week's time 
Yep, this is the second snowstorm that hit Atlanta on January 19th and lasted about a day. This is my side yard and that is a magnolia tree with snow on it on the lefthand side of the photo. While we all enjoyed the light dusting of snow, the possibility of a recurrence is not likely,and people are emerging en masse to begin enjoying the outdoors. Remember though, just because it is warming up doesn't mean a trip to the Georgia Aquarium or taking in a show at one of Atlanta's many theaters should be forgotten. Both of these still make for a fun afternoon or evening.
One of the many things to do and many things to see in our magnificent city as the weather warms and the daffodils bloom is Atlanta's world class zoo.
The Atlanta zoo has its roots in the bankruptcy of a travelling circus and that circus' abandonment of it animals in March of 1889. Thanks to the generosity of George Valentine Gress, a local businessman, the entire lot of "circus animals" were rescued from starvation and imminent death and given to the city of Atlanta. 
In 1935 the addition of a private animal menagerie nearly doubled the zoo's number of attractions. Luckily, this addition also came with a substantial grant of money that was used to update and modernize the zoo's enclosures. The zoo grew over the years and with the formation of the Atlanta Zoological Society in the 1970's the zoo gained a fundraising and educational outreach base; it also began to charge admission. Despite this progress, the zoo began to rapidly deteriorate and was deemed among the 10 worst zoo's in the country by Susie Pressman of Parade Magazine in February 1984. Things were so bad that the zoo lost it accreditation and the public demanded its closure. The mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young, responded to improve conditions and save the zoo. Within a ten year span the zoo did a complete 180.
The impact of a silverback gorilla nicknamed "Willie B" cannot be overlooked. 
Willie B. stood as a symbol of the progress the zoo made from its past to its present. Willie B. tasted freedom outside a cage for the first time at 28 years old. He went on to sire four offspring. The privatization and revamping of the animal exhibits along with the addition of animal clinics to respond to the healthcare needs of the animals helped to propel Zoo Atlanta to its current world class status.
The modern Zoo Atlanta is characterized by its mission statement. Zoo Atlanta is open every day of the year and has extremely reasonable admission rates. I would definitely recommend checking out the Atlanta City Pass
Zoo Atlanta is located in historic Grant Park, just minutes from downtown and easily accessed via MARTA or private transportation. 
Click HERE for admissions info and directions.
Be sure to check out Panda Cam 10am-5pm EST!
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 770-998-1964.
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Wow Rich - I was almost going to say, 'imagine a magnolia with snow on it!', but we do have some varieties of hardy magnolia here, though they don't get snow in leaf.
Your shot is ..pretty ;) I would think you don't get snow that often huh?
ahh, nice story about Willie!