Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Harvey Turns One - LP Zoo

African penguin Harvey, you

Are a one year old birthday boy

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

And there is for you to enjoy

A special cake that's made of ice,

Containing fillers of fish that

The keeper made for you - how nice!

And you waste no time going at

This cake using your beak to chip

Away the ice to free the fish,

Allowing you to get a grip,

And gulp down tasties so delish.

Whether or not he knows he's one.

Harvey just knows he's having fun.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Feeling Safe - LP Zoo

In the wild, dwarf mongooses do

Always be on alert for threat.

But here in the Lincoln Park Zoo

They know their safety's a sure bet.

They know their keepers keep good watch,

Assuring all are safe, and that

Care given is always top notch

Throughout the mongoose habitat.

Of course the mongooses can see

Into other habitats near

Where would be predators do be.

But they know there's nothing to fear.

The dwarf mongooses still look out

For keepers serving lunch no doubt.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mop on Top - LP Zoo

A Kenya crested guinea fowl,

I always keep a bird's eye view

On all about when on the prowl

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

In African Journey I be,

Along with others of my kind,

Oft perched on a branch of a tree,

With feathers uniquely designed.

Especially the feather crest

That's found on the top of my head,

Looking like a punk rocker tressed,

Quite a vibrant vision widespread.

And with humans I am not shy.

When you visit I'll come nearby.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Mink Threat

Covid 19 is found in mink

In human run farms 'round the globe.

Cross contagion is deemed the link

Found in investigative probe.

As a result humans have killed

Millions of the mink on the farm

With industry shutdown fulfilled,

Attempting to stop further harm.

But now in Utah there's been found

A mink in the wild that did test

Positive, the mink was  around

A farm - for it a fateful quest.

Does this mean there's a spreading trend?

Is this beginning of mink end?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Stool as Tool

Honeybee nests are oft attacked

By hornets, and so in defense

The nest entrances are dung packed,

Repelling hornets with the scents.

Researchers into honeybees

Are quite excited by this news.

The tool using categories

Includes dung use in many views.

For humans, the use of a tool

By other animals is quite

A big deal as a research rule,

And when found, is cause to excite.

Using dung as a tool no doubt

Seems to work keeping hornets out.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Two Toothfully - LP Zoo

Howie, the hippo, doesn't need

Two front teeth from Santa this year.

He has an awesome pair indeed.

With open mouth they sure appear.

In the wild, a hippo can use

These large teeth against any threat.

Just the sight of these fearsome chews

Intimidates as a safe bet.

But nothing threatens Howie, so

There is no need to show hostile,

And his front teeth do only show

When Howie's giving a big smile.

Howie shows off his teeth for you

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Christmas Spider

'Twas in the house a Christmas tree.

A spider came and climbed upon,

And soon on all the branches be

A dazzling silver web thereon.

The human family next morn

Beheld the spider's work of art,

Using weaving skill to adorn

The Christmas tree in giving heart.

It was a tale that was retold

By humans living ev'rywhere.

And now each Christmas we behold

Trees with weblike adornments there.

This inspired humans to create

Silver tinsel to decorate.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Dying Great Lakes

The North America Great Lakes,

A huge freshwater resource that

Is, because of human mistakes,

A slowly dying habitat.

Human caused climate change does warm

The lake waters, impacting life

Of plants and animals with harm,

Causing the ecosystem strife.

Pollution continuously 

Is dumped into the Great Lakes so

Life threatening danger there be.

No longer does "fresh" water flow.

The Great Lakes are in danger great.

Human habits will change too late.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Slaveowner Auld

1877 when

Captain Auld was on his deathbed,

He asked for a former slave then

To visit before he was dead.

And the former slave did agree

To come to visit this man who

Had long treated him horribly.

This former slave was able to

Escape to freedom and to build

A life devoted to the aim

Of ending slavery fulfilled,

And in that effort gained much fame.

To Captain Auld, his former slave,

Frederick Douglass, forgiveness gave.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Georgia and Frida - LP Zoo

New African painted dogs, two

Sisters, Georgia and Frida, be

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

To keep Mikuma company.

He was alone since Topaz died.

But now he has two new friends that

Can join in the daily joyride,

Running around the habitat.

The one year old sisters for sure

Will keep Mikuma young at heart,

A double dose of her and her,

All showing off in painted art.

Welcome sisters, may you bring joy

To Mikuma, a lonesome boy.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Rocky the Owl

She lived inside a tall spruce tree,

When one day her home was cut down,

A Christmas tree destined to be,

And trucked off to Big Apple town,

To Rockefeller Center where

This tiny saw whit owl was found,

Huddled inside of the tree there,

Her eyes staring out, big and round.

Humans rescued and cared for her.

She rehabilitated well.

And when she was healthy for sure,

Back to the wild where she'd best dwell.

Victim of loss of habitat,

"Rocky" became famous for that.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Jersey - LP Zoo

Jersey is a new grey seal who 

Brings a female face to the pool

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

The seal guys think she is so cool!

Especially Charles has his eye

On Jersey as potential mate.

So hopefully this gal and guy

Will have a get together fate.

In the meantime Jersey does be

Making a splash all on her own.

Visitors to the pool can see

Her swimming in her new seal zone.

Welcome Jersey to your new place.

So good to see your female face.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Morning Stretch - LP Zoo

This takin takes some time to do

Some morning stretching exercise

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Keeping limber I know is wise,

And while I stretch, I look about

At the human visitors that

Do watch while I do my stretch out,

Toning up in my habitat.

If I could speak human I would

Give the visitors some advice

That routine stretch is very good,

And makes a body feel quite nice.

This takin taking time to be

A stretcher makes a better me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Taller Tallest

Top of Mount Everest does be

The highest point on Earth that's known.

Researchers have found recently

About two feet the Mount has grown.

Twenty nine thousand thirty one

Feet, give or take an inch or so,

Is the calculation redone.

The question - how does the Mount grow?

The best theory is that Earth quakes,

Thus shoving Mount Everest up.

In geologic dance it makes

Highest point even higher - yup!

Mount Everest started out no more

Than a small rock on the ocean floor.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Covid Vaccine Threat

Shark liver oil makes vaccines more

Effective in a boosting way.

So there may be demand galore

When Covid vaccines have their day.

There are arguments pro and con

Whether or not to let sharks be

Killed more, the debate goes on.

What will happen - a wait and see.

An alternative there is

Found in the plant of sugarcane.

Sharks continue to mind their biz

During this which booster campaign.

Shark or sugarcane sacrifice

As part of Covid vaccine price?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hank Turns Thirty - LP Zoo

Hank, the chimp, grins a "Howdy Do."

He's a hit thirty birthday boy

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A special milestone to enjoy.

All the chimpanzee troop do be

Gathered together with Hank for

A Happy Birthday jubilee,

Time to party hearty galore.

It is a festive time and place

For Hank on this, his special day,

As shown by the grin on his face.

A happy Hank is on display.

Thirty years old, Hank, you look great,

You've good reason to celebrate.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hard as Rock - LP Zoo

Leaf cutter ants make journeys long

To seek the leaves for which they're named.

Though very small, they're very strong,

Fierce warriors for which they are famed.

Often they are under attack,

As they march forth for leaves to find,

To cut and then bring the leaves back

To share with others of their kind.

Human research studies have shown

Leaf cutter ants grow armor that

Is made of hard crystallized stone,

Protective in their habitat.

Leaf cutter ants naturally

Grow into knights in armor be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Thankful Meerkat - LP Zoo

The other meerkats chose me to

Be the sentinel with the job,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

To watch for the rest of the mob,

When for us the keeper does bring

The Thanksgiving dinner to eat.

This day of thanks is a great thing

The humans came up with - so neat!

We meerkats here are thankful for

All the fine care that we receive.

The keepers keep us well galore.

We live a good life we believe.

Dinner's served senses this meerkat,

And I am sure thankful for that.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Leaving My Scent - LP Zoo

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

This klipspringer does assure that

A black eye I'm not showing you.

I am fine in my habitat.

A preorbital gland does show

On my face and next to each eye.

And from each such scent gland does flow

Pheromones and you may ask why.

These secretions I do put on

Things to mark my territory,

A natural phenomenon,

Key to each klipspringer story.

Wherever I happen to be,

I often leave a scent of me.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Unforgettable Face - LP Zoo

I have a fearsome face, I do.

It is my patient face I make

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Beware this gaboon viper snake.

For on a scale of one to ten

A venomous ten I do be.

The longest snake fangs wait within,

Waiting for a signal from me.

I blend in well where I am at,

For unsuspecting to come near

Me hidden in my habitat,

Coming into my striking sphere.

When near enough, there is no doubt,

My face will show my fangs flash out.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cuddle Up Time - LP Zoo

For Mondika, Mom's a go to

When in need of a cuddle up

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Mom's the best cuddle upper - yup!

The young gorilla has learned that

When in the arms of Mom he be

Feeling good in his habitat.

All is bliss and tranquility.

For sure Mom's got that special touch

To make all troubles go away,

To provide Mondika a much

Needed boost for a better day.

All the chaotic turns to calm,

Spending a cuddle up with Mom.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Birch's Blaze -  LP Zoo

An American black bear, I

Am called Birch by friends and I do

Have lots of black fur in supply

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

But like my Asian cousins, there

Is a white fur patch on my chest,

Shaped like a crescent moon I share

With all who visit as my guest.

I hear visitors often ask

About my chest blaze that I've got.

I leave visitors to the task

Of researching my white shaped spot.

Why's there a white patch that I show?

Inquiring minds do want to know.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Tale of Jack O'

Jack O' Lantern of Irish lore

Tells of a devilish Jack who

Enjoyed playing mean tricks galore,

And even tricked the devil - true!

So when Jack died, heaven would not

Let him in and sent him to hell,

Where the devil who'd not forgot

Jack's tricks said no to him as well,

And sent Jack back to Earth to roam

About at night, lighting his way,

A hollowed carved face pumpkin dome,

With lit coal inside to display.

And still today, stuck 'twixt and 'tween,

Jack's seen roaming on Halloween.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Im"pear"ed

I found some pears in a trash can.

Being hungry I ate them all.

Afterwards in a short time span

I felt like I might maybe fall.

All about me began to spin.

It was those pears I ate, I thunk,

Put me in the state I was in.

I concluded that I was drunk.

Those pears must have been long around

To have fermented with old age.

When I found them, I also found

My own inebriated stage.

After a while ended my whirl.

I once more was a sober squirrel.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Invading Tegu

An Argentina lizard known

As the black and white tegu is

Now in the southeast U.S. zone,

Thanks to the careless pet trade biz.

This four foot long lizard can do

Wild life and crop harm in great scale.

On eggs and produce it will chew,

In its long and destructive trail.

A very hardy lizard that

Can weather cold and human threat.

It can broaden its habitat

To the whole U.S. - a good bet.

Can't blame the tegu wanting to be

Where it is put unnaturally. 

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Massasoit

The Wampanoag natives dwelled

Upon the land when Pilgrims came.

Their great chief Massasoit beheld

Their life would never be the same.

For a time Massasoit did be

Watchful as the Pilgrims did try

To survive as a colony.

Massasoit chose, as time went by,

To live with the Pilgrims in peace.

A Thanksgiving feast was the bond

That this friendship should never cease.

Massasoit misjudged the beyond.

The Pilgrim plague kept coming on

Till the Wampanoag were gone.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Oil Job - LP Zoo

This beaver often likes to do

A personal grooming so that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

I am primed for my habitat.

Inside my body I produce

Special oil I spread on my fur

That has a waterproofing use,

And also keeps me warm for sure.

I am in the water a lot,

So a busy beaver I be,

Making sure I have the forethought

To spread my oil all over me.

When you visit me you might find

Me grooming, watch me - I don't mind.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Spotlight on Etana - LP Zoo

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

Miss Etana does glow so bright,

As early morning sun shines through,

Engulfing the giraffe in light.

A dazzling sight she shows for sure,

Not at all difficult to spot,

As the sunshine does spotlight her,

Shining on ev'ry spot she's got.

A delightful picture is she,

A picture a keeper does take,

Showing Etana glowingly,

And for sure a keeper keepsake.

Thanks to early morning sunshine,

Etana lights up by design.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Eagle Eyed - LP Zoo

A bald eagle, I know I do

Have the best eyesight to be found

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

My eagle eye on all around.

Bald eagles in the wild can spy

Small prey that's on the ground below,

From hundreds of feet in the sky,

Very insightful doncha know!

Of course at the Zoo I don't need

To be searching for prey like that.

I can watch the keepers indeed

Bring my lunch to my habitat.

When you visit the Zoo today,

I'll be watching from far away.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Bethcha a Bug - LP Zoo

This bettong is betting on that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Coming into my habitat

Is a yes yes yum yum to chew.

Each week the keeper brings to me

A tasty mealworm on a stick.

Wherever I happen to be

I make my presence known real quick.

I do a sniff to check it out.

A mealworm has a certain smell.

And when I'm sure there be no doubt,

That mealworm is gobbled down well.

It is a time for me that's great -

Keeper keeping the mealworm date.