Picture of the day - September 16, 2008

A colorful toucan at the Buffalo Zoo

Photo courtesy of Robert Schwarztrauber. Toucans are the darlings of the rain forest with their colorful, oversized beaks and pleasant personalities, and today's picture by photographer Robert Schwarztrauber features one of the beautiful birds striking a pose for the camera. The following is Mr. Schwarztrauber's story behind the image: "The Buffalo Zoo opened its long awaited "Rainforest Falls" exhibit this week. Lots of fellow shutterbugs were on hand as the town got its first peek. It was a $16 million dollar exhibit based on the world's tallest waterfall in tropical Venezuela. Besides the showcase two-story waterfall, it will be home to many species of tropical animals and fish. There are a pair of toucans (my favorite bird), many kinds of monkey, anteaters, anaconda snakes, piranhas and bats. Over $100,000 in tropical plants will decorate the area as well. It will be a much welcomed year 'round exhibit - really needed by the zoo here (it will be kept at a constant 78F). Otherwise...the zoo gets pretty quiet up here come winter."   --Robert Schwarztrauber   Click here to comment on this picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!                                 Place the "Picture of the Day" on your website, for free! Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"