Skydivers ~ Animals ~ Blooms ~ Kamloops, BC

Surrounded by great Springtime sights in Kamloops, BC.

Kamloops is a busy city in the Springtime with new activities, petting zoo babies and blooms galore.  I’ve shared a few of those sights here.

Kamloops Skydivers

The Kamloops Skydivers Club had their annual MayMeet.  The long Victoria May long weekend was a busy time for the club and all who were interested in skydiving.  The Kamloops Skydiver Club is one of the oldest in Canada and has been active for over 50 years. It was fun to watch the fun they had…. from my viewpoint on the ground!

Safe landings

The weekend weather wasn’t perfect but there seemed to be quite a few jumps, we could hear the plane overhead between rain showers.  We went out to watch a jump on the last afternoon, which had calm weather with blue skies.  

Curious Emu

The Westsyde Petting Farm is a private farm adjacent to the Westsyde Centennial Park.  Only the fence is between you and the farm animals living here, and visiting them is encouraged. Many of them are quite willing to pose for the camera, too!

Playful kids

These kid goats were purely entertaining for our visit.  They were not interested in us or food offered but played with each other as kid goats do.

Alpaca cuteness

They do not have limited hours nor is there a gate fee to pay, it is strictly visiting over the fence but most of the animals are very curious and will come running to the fence to see what you might have.  Click here for more info and photos.

Great Blue Herons

The Great Blue Heron was spotted out towards Tranquille when the river was high and the nesting season was happening.  There were two of these beautiful birds, who are wading birds usually found nesting in groups near water. 

The Great Blue Heron are very large birds, although we were quite a distance away which makes it hard to see their size.  We once saw one land at a friend’s fish pond just outside their door and it was amazingly huge!  They stand up to 54” tall and their wingspan is 66 to 79”, it was slightly intimidating to see it that close so this distance is preferred.

Blooming Cacti

The time is perfect to see the blooming cacti on the hills of Ord Road.  We took a drive to see them and were amazed at how many there were and no hill climbing was needed.  Our semi-arid country makes a perfect climate for some cactus.

Golfing buddies

In contrast to the sagebrush and cactus of Ord Road, we have the nice green of several golf courses in Kamloops.  We spent a recent sunny afternoon of golf at McArthur Island Golf Course and were visited by a few four legged friends.  

Kamloops sunset in May

May is still Spring time which often brings rain but we do get plenty of sunshine.  The green hues of Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter will turn brown in time but until then, we can enjoy the green we now see as we look at this sunset in Kamloops.

There are many beautiful spots to visit and sights to see, we just need to remember to take time to enjoy what we have in our great city of Kamloops or in the city you call home.

Springtime ~ Kamloops, BC

Spring is the time of new beginnings.  We look forward to blossoms on the trees, the green hills surrounding Kamloops and feel the sun shining down on us to warm up our days.  Spring has now arrived in full blossom for most parts of the Kamloops region.

Shy Mother goat and her babies

Spring is also the beginnings of new life!  A recent visit to the Little Farmers Petting Zoo in Westsyde shows a booming population growth of the Pygmy goats with several little ones hopping and running around, oblivious to most of their surroundings but their playmates.

Piggyback ride, pygmy style

These sure-footed little kids, as baby goats are called, appear to climb up and over anything and everything that happens to be there, without fear, bumping and pushing each other.  The Pygmy goat, originally from West Africa, was first brought to North American in the 1950’s and is used primarily as petting zoo animals and domestic pets.

Playful pygmy kids

The kids have high energy and are extremely curious but very sociable and friendly so can make for great pets, as long as there are other animals for them to socialize with. Dehorning is recommended for pets as they may prove to be a problem for them and the others they’re with.  Their life span varies from 8 to 18 years.  To see more of Little Farmer's Petting Zoo, click here.

Beautiful mother and daughter

A drive through some of the ranchland around Kamloops may give you a glimpse of someone as beautiful as this mom and her baby.  The baby is generally referred to as a foal for the first year of its life but technically the male is called a colt for the first few years of its’ life and filly for the female.

No more photos today

These calves had enjoyed some time in the sun but had decided it was time to go back to the barn and find their moms for dinner.  The young ones are all called calves, no matter the sex until they’re weaned.  Females, after being weaned until reaching 3 yrs of age without having had a calf are called heifers.  They average about 4 hours of sleep per day.

Deer family playing tag

While recently enjoying a warm evening with friends on their deck we were entertained by the deer family who lives in this area.  What a treat it was to see them dash across the field, chasing one another and carry on playing what seemed to be a game of tag.  The sun had set and the dusk made for a poor photo from such a long distance but it was one I had to share.

Kamloops, B.C.

The sun offers a warm glow to the city as it sets later each day moving into the summer months.  Rich new green leaves and pretty blossoms can be seen on the many trees that line our city streets and the sagebrush, a plant of the daisy family is seen all over the hills of our semi-arid region.  Mt. Paul and Peter have their green spring color which soon fades as spring turns to summer. 

We welcome spring and all that it brings to our hometown of Kamloops, there is just no place like home.

Little Farmers Petting Zoo ~ Westsyde Centennial Park ~ Kamloops, BC

There are many things to make it easy to say we love Kamloops and lots of them are free!  Like the Little Farmer Petting Zoo in Westsyde Centennial Park. It is a great spot to bring our kids or grandkids to. The little ones can enjoy the safe but close up look at the animals at the Little Farmer Petting Zoo on Franklin Road in Westsyde. Many of the animals come to the fence to let you pet them, they’re all pretty friendly and curious.  The animals especially love the treats that are available in small vending machines on site that have the right food for them for a small fee of 25 cents to $1.00 so bring quarters and loonies when you visit.

 

Llama at Little Farmers Petting Zoo, Kamloops, BC

The llama was domesticated in the Andrean Highlands of Peru 4,000 to 5,000 years ago and that makes them the oldest domestic animal in the world.  They are very intelligent and that makes them easy to train.  Their hair is grease-free and very lightweight and that makes it a favorite with weavers and knitters, too.  The llama is very social but shy, they’re very gentle but curious.  They live up to 25 years and grow almost 2 meters tall  (6 ft. high) and average 280-450 lbs.

Emu at Little Farmers Petting Zoo in Kamloops, BC

The emu is covered with soft feathers and has tiny wings but is a flightless bird.  They feed on plants and insects and they only drink once or twice every day.  They grow to about 2 M. (6’6”) in height and have long legs that help them sprint at 50 km (31mi) per hour.  The emu is very curious and nosy, too.

  

Goats in sun at petting zoo, Kamloops, BC

There are quite a few goats and I believe are the pygmy breed. They all love to come to the fence to see if they will get fed. Pygmys have good natured personalities and are very friendly and affectionate. These little ones fight for their spot at the fence when they see the treats coming but when all is quiet at the fence, they just enjoy soaking up the sun. 

 

Tom Turkey in Little Farmers Petting Zoo

The Bronze Turkey got his name from his bronze-like iridescent sheen, the color of his 5,000 to 6,000 feathers.  The male called a tom or gobbler, has red wattles on his throat and neck and they make them very different from the female, who has duller colors of brown and gray and no red wattles! 

 

Bronze turkey in Kamloops, BC

This handsome fellow followed me from one side of the fence to another, he seemed to enjoy the company so we had quite a visit.  I couldn’t resist putting in an extra picture of him, I think he is pretty special.

 

Curious chickens at Little Farmers Petting Zoo

Who knew there were chickens dressed in fluffy coats?  There are many varieties of chickens at the Little Farmers Petting Zoo.  These ones are not for petting but they love to get some of those seeds available in the vending machine close by.

Exotic birds in petting zoo, Kamloops, BC

There are some beautiful birds at the petting zoo. Their cages border Westsyde Park which gives them a great view of the park and all those who come to visit there.

I’ve not met the owners of the petting zoo so am not familiar with the business of it but I understand it is privately owned and these animals are here for our enjoyment at no expense to us. They allow us to pet and feed the animals at the fence by having vending machines available for us to purchase grains and seeds that are suitable for the animals to eat.

Follow Westsyde Rd north to Franklin Rd, then into Westsyde Centennial Park and the Little Farmers Petting Zoo is there on your left at the entrance with the parking lot nearby. Winter may be a bit quieter but no doubt the animals enjoy your company then, too.  A new webpage is being developed  for the Zoo so check out some of their photos and information on there by clicking here.