Picture originally uploaded by somesai.
The remarkable somesai gets Tai to speak (or a least to open his mouth) but her mojo is so strong with Tai, you never know what might happen...
More from her January 17, 2007 set are here. Thanks, somesai!
Picture originally uploaded by Richard046.
Thanks to Richard046 for capturing this fun shot of Tai as he reclines on a branch... the rest of the set is here.
Picture originally uploaded by somesai.
See, somesai has such powerful mojo with Tai that he'll smile for her when she takes his picture... funny one and thanks again, somesai!
Picture originally uploaded by ucumari.
Tremendously gorgeous photo of Mei and Tai taken in late November. Fantastic, ucmari, thank you!
Picture originally uploaded by Simba on 17th.
Great shot by Simba on 17th, with other nice photos here. Thanks!
Picture originally uploaded by somesai.
The following few photos are by somesai... absolutely amazing photos of Tai Shan since he was just a little one.
See her work here or visit the Flickr group Pandas Unlimited or see her most interesting photos here.
Picture originally uploaded by somesai.
And... he's thinking about exactly what right now?
Somesai = awesome.
(Click the image for a larger view)
The media provided good coverage for the opening of the Asia Trail at the National Zoo.
Thanks, in particular, to the Washington Post, for their article (and the image that accompanies this post...)
"The National Zoo unveiled its new Asia Trail exhibit yesterday, the first phase of a planned overhaul that rejuvenates a prominent slice of the park and nearly doubles the space for the popular giant pandas to frolic.
Officials called the trail -- which also features sloth bears, clouded leopards, red pandas and other creatures -- the start of a "complete transformation" of the animal park. The $53 million project is the most significant upgrade in nearly 40 years, officials said."
And from msnbc.com: "As part of the expansion, Tai Shan and mother Mei Xiang have full run at the leafy new trees, rocky grottos and shallow pools for dips in the summer. New fog machines surround both visitors and pandas, helping to cool the area and to simulate the animals' natural habitat in China.
"This kind of topography will help keep them fit," said Lisa Stevens, curator for giant pandas and primates. "It's kind of nice to have to go looking for them."
On October 17th, the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat will open to the public (we like Fujifilm- they donated about $8 million to get this done.) Anyway, more space, more enrichment features, a "greener" approach, and generally more fun for pandas and humans alike.
Click on the image to see a larger version with details...
Picture originally uploaded by jdbartross.
See the ice that they're enjoying so much?
That's courtesy of Pandas Unlimited, the group on Flickr where somesai and over 700 (or is it 800 now, or 1000, or 2000 depending on when you read this??) passionate, giving, avid fans of Giant Pandas gather to share pictures, art, stories, and themselves.
Pandas Unlimited raised over $4,000 for the Giant Panda Enrichment Fund- they bought this ice (and there are great photos of the day here) and they will continue to do good deeds.
I continue to be amazed by the chronicle of Tai Shan's life that somesai and everyone else has put together. Thanks, everyone, truly.
The National Zoo says, "Giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Tai Shan celebrated the milestone by frolicking in pools of ice purchased through a generous donation by a group of private citizens—and passionate giant panda fans—who call themselves Pandas Unlimited. The group began with one local resident posting her photos of the Zoo's pandas online and has since grown to nearly 700 people around the world who have contributed about $4,000 to a new Giant Panda Enrichment Fund at the National Zoo. Money from the fund paid for the pools and the delivery of 2,000 pounds of ice."
See everyone?
You CAN make a difference in the world. Just try, you'll see.
Has it really been a year?
Isn't it remarkable how many people this baby panda has made so very happy over the last 12 months?
Tai will officially turn 1 year old at 3:41AM EST on July 9th, 2006 and we - and that means all of us "we" - think back over the past year to the smiles he's given us, or the momentary (and not so momentary) times of diversion watching him on the pandacam, or marveling at somesai's gorgeous photos... and we all feel joyful about this happy panda, one of the (too) few on the planet.
Check out the birthday love for the big boy:
The National Zoo is throwing a big birthday party for Tai on Sunday. Free cupcakes to the first 1,000 people and so much other fun to be had! And don't forget your tickets!
National Geographic has a great feature on Pandas, with special birthday wishes for Tai.
And just for Tai, a trip down memory lane:
Remember this video from the Washington Post, the "Tai Shan Timeline"? Fantastic!
This video of his mid-November checkup yelp?
This video of his first steps outside?
Add YOUR birthday thoughts and wishes in the comments...!
Picture originally uploaded by somesai.
This is why people love baby pandas.
And this is why somesai continues to rule!
As always, check out PandasUnlimited.
Picture originally uploaded by letskyce.
If you're a panda, clinging to a tree with your sharp claws looks like fun. Thanks, ketskyce! See other photos from this set here...
Picture originally uploaded by The Brit_2.
If you're a panda, hanging upside down from a branch looks like fun. Thanks, The Brit_2! See other photos from the set here...
Picture originally uploaded by suro.
That's a good looking panda. See suro's other photos of Tai Shan here...
Feel like sending a quick email?
Let Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams know that you think Tai Shan should be the official animal symbol of Washington DC!
Click here to use the Mayor's Contact form:
Subject should be "Other"
Specify should be "Tai Shan for Official Animal of Washington, DC!
Message should be "Thanks!" or whatever you think, but you need to have a message in there...
Here's the full article from United Press International, thanks:
Again in the news is word that "The Washington city council and mayor are debating which animal should be the District's official symbol -- and the panda is leading the way.
City Council Chairwoman Linda Cropp said the China-native pandas found in the National Zoo are so popular, supporters say they should be the symbol of the U.S. capital.
"The official animal chosen really should be what captures the imagination of the children and makes them feel good -- and the panda does that," said Cropp.
Tian Tian and Mei Xiang are six-year residents of the zoo but were born in China. But Tai Shan, their 10-month-old cub, is technically a U.S. citizen since he was born at the zoo.
Zoo visitors numbered in the tens of thousands since Tian Tian and Mei Xiang arrived and skyrocketed when Tai Shan was born.
Now there are as many visitors to the panda exhibit as there are to the White House and Capitol Building, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
Washington Mayor Anthony Williams said he'll accept all nominations for District symbol.
Council member Sharon Ambrose is more nationalistic though.
"We should have an animal that is native. We should have an animal that is American," said Ambrose, suggesting the bald eagle.
Let us know your feedback!
Have you visited PandasUnlimited recently?
Check out all the great discussions going on, including this one on panda feet.
Thanks, as always, to somesai, autumncat, cutesmallfuzzy, Cuquis and everyone else who takes- and shares- their great panda pictures!
Great article in the Washington Post on his popularity, "With Fans Watching, Tai Shan Thrives- Cub's Routine Brings Boom Times To Zoo":
16 million hits to the zoo's website since July 9th... 388,000 visitors to see him since December... 2005 was best attendance since 2002... doubled merchandise sales in the first quarter, etc, etc.
"He spends all his day in a tree," said Lisa Stevens, an assistant curator and the author of the well-read, twice-a-week Web reports on the cub's progress. "He comes down for short periods to play and nurse."
As for Butterstick being sent back to China when he turns 2 years old, "I don't even want to think about it," Stevens said.
Somesai, as always, capturing Tai in unique and wonderful ways- thanks again! Catch these photos and others in the PandasUnlimited group on Flickr.
Butterstick is now eating his bamboo instead of just chewing on it...
"Adult giant pandas eat up to 40 pounds of bamboo each day, according to zoo officials, but they said Tai has his eyes set on something else -- his mom's fruitsicles.
Mei Xiang has mastered the art of fending off Tai with her foot while she enjoys her tasty treat, according to the zoo's Web site."
From inside the Beltway, pandafix.com enthusiast Harald (thanks again!) points out this article in the Washington Times about Butterstick being named, perhaps, as the official animal of Washington, D.C.
PRO: "The panda ought to be one of the strong possibilities," says D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp, who is running for mayor. The official animal "really should be what captures the imagination of the children and makes them feel good -- and the panda does that."
CON: "The panda should not be it because we should have an animal that is native," says [Sharon Ambrose] the Ward 6 Democrat, who isn't seeking re-election. "We should have an animal that is an American."
And thanks, as always, to somesai for the great shot (geez, he's getting big...)
So, a pandafix fan (thanks Cyndi!) emailed me to ask a question and I thought it would be best to take this to you, the good people who enjoy coming here.
What are YOUR comments and thoughts?
Please add them in the comments section for this post... and thanks!
So, Cyndi from Chciago writes:
"I want to arrange a trip with my husband to go to DC to visit Tai or maybe SD to visit Su Lin. I want to know which zoo I will have more time/a better chance of seeeing the babies.
I know DC only gives you 10 minutes…right now, I have e-tix for Sat and Sunday in April—so 10 minutes, 2 days in a row. But I would change our plans if you thought it was a better chance to see Su Lin."
PS- The picture was taken at the Chengdu Breeding and Research Center- thanks to Kong Tze Yang!
