Food and Thought in Siouxland, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE

A baby gorilla looks almost contemplative while eating a midmorning snack at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, June 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I try often as I can to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE. While technically not in Siouxland, it’s a relatively easy and “short drive” (1.5 hour drive) compared to visiting other nearby communities. Des Moines is a three hour, 200 mile drive city edge to city edge. And visiting the zoo is enjoyable to watch the animals. Although it sometimes requires getting up early to get to the zoo when it first opens, arriving early one may happen to find zoo personnel feeding the animals which will then find them more animated and before they decide to take a nap on a hot and humid, muggy kind of day.

A lowland gorilla eats a leafy snack at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, June 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A lowland gorilla looks thoughtful as it eats a leafy snack at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, June 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The gorillas in particular are most times reflective, watching the humans watch them, it almost seems contemplative. But since they have only a small area in which to traverse, pondering life seems a better way of dealing with circumstances. Maybe food for thought for the human counterparts.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A lowland gorilla eats a leafy snack at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, June 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A lowland gorilla eats a leafy snack at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, June 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)