Baby Gorillas, New Years, and Moving Blogs

It's a new year and things are bound to change. Over the past few months, I've been working towards migrating this blog to my new professional website, amandacorlies.com. I've been wondering what I should post as my last official blog here at this sight. It felt like I needed something worthy, since I've been posting for over five years.

When a friend sent me a lovely video from the NC Zoo about their gorilla program, the births of their two youngsters last year, the loss of their silverback, Nick, and the outreach conservation programs they are a part of in Africa, I realized I'd found my final blog. (Thanks Friend!) It was good to see some old friends and meet some new ones smiling out of the camera at me, both human and otherwise.

So, here you have it folks. My final blog  here at the Keeper of the Zoo site. For those wonderful and faithful readers who have been following me here, don't fret, the blogging will continue over at Amanda Corlies, and links to this archive will remain very much alive. So, come on over to my new location, after you've watched the video, of course. Happy 2014! May the changes in your lives make them richer and fill you with joy!

Take a Baby Break!

I've been hard at work on The Ravens Crossing (TRC) and my various other creative writing and visual arts projects for the past few weeks. Though, I've enjoyed every second of it, occasionally, I find myself feeling a little tired. Then, I get these wonderful email updates from my friends at the NC Zoo with various baby pictures. When the day seems gloomy, and I am frustrated by being confined to a mere 24 hours of work time, I get these random little baby breaks, moments of sunshine in my day.Thanks guys! You know who you are. I thought all of you might appreciate a baby break too. I hope it makes you feel as warm and fuzzy as I do. Above is baby Bomassa the Lowland Gorilla with mama. And, below, you have Nori, the two year old chimpanzee playing with one of her troupe members. Photos appear courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo. Now, I must get back to work on TRC. As always, if you are looking for something fun and free to read, head on over to Morgan & Holly's story and check out our young adult science fiction adventure series. Okay,break time is officially over. Have a lovely day!

Baby Gorilla Born Saturday at NC Zoo

Congratulations are in order to twelve-year-old Jamani of the NC Zoo who gave birth to a bouncing baby boy gorilla this past Saturday at 8 am. Good friend Tom Gillespie has shared some of the latest photos with me today. The baby has been named Bomassa after a town of the same name in the northern Republic of the Congo. Welcome Bomassa and congrats to the staff of the NC Zoo who have not seen a baby gorilla born at their park since Kwanza was birthed back in 1989.

Also, The Ravens Crossing (TRC), the free science fiction online series I write for began Season 2 today. If you haven't been following along, you are seriously missing out. Go find out what a Gaea is, and how they are related to humans. Visit Wildwood and meet our diverse cast of characters. Find out how they Balance the power of nature. You can read  free stories 6 days a week here. Season 1 is also posted on the sight in case you need to catch up. Don't miss the fun!

And, if travel blogs interest you, you might want to go give Old Pair of Jeans a read. It's my mom and her man sharing their adventures as they cross the US in an RV this summer. They are all the way across the Mississippi already. You can follow along and view Gene's fantastic photography to share their favorite adventures along the way.