It’s Not A Small World After All (Part 1)

Avilon Zoo, The Biggest Zoological Park in the Philippines.

Here, everything is big.

The birds are big. Even their poop is big.

But I am not big. I am Duende! Hi-ho!

I am here to set all the zoo animals free! I am an animal rights activist, you see.

But the laws of the universe dictate that order must rule and beasts must remain in cages! Ack!

Avian, thou shouldst not stay this close to a poet! Poets need space!

Why dost thou stare at me with those beady eyes?

Duh. Weirdo.

Unbeak me, you fiend! You Fowl Avian from Hell!

Oof! Forsooth!

I’m sorry about my brother, Cacatua galerita, better known as Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Nano’s not an animal lover like me. I’m Duende, better known as Duende.

…Please let go. I’m poisonous.

Oh, look! A Python molurus bivittatus! Better known as A Big Yellow Snake That Is Not Poisonous!

I have had enough of these uncaged creatures!
Don’t mind Nano, Mr. Python. He is a poet. Poets are weird.

Hello there, Equus caballus, better known as Shetland Pony! I am Duende! Hi-Ho Silver, Away!

… Do you know why this human is staring at me? Is it not normal to see a doll riding a pony?

Nano, your sister is wild.
Leave her be. Say Gorgonzola!

Friends, meet Vali, Nano and Duende. Vali is Freejie‘s. Nano is owned by Leigh, also a poet. Duende is a free spirit. She belongs only to Mother Earth.
No animals were hurt in the making of this photostory. But Nano went home with a hole in his pants.
May 28th, 2009 - 21:47
Adorable!
And no dolls were hurt in the making of this photostory?
June 3rd, 2009 - 18:03
Well … nobody cried. Is that a good enough sign?
May 28th, 2009 - 22:45
Oh, why are they so adorable? And the snakes are so cuuuute.
June 3rd, 2009 - 18:26
Mainey, you already met Duende for real! Or did you forget?
I wanted to bring the snake home! But I can’t stand cute mice being gobbled up like that! Why can’t snakes be vegans?
May 29th, 2009 - 02:30
D’awwwwwww!!!!!!!
Wonderful pictures. I don’t even know how you got them so close to the animals without getting knocked over. I especially love the one with the snake <3.
June 4th, 2009 - 20:07
The animals are incredibly cooperative. And so are their handlers! They were very gracious and patient with us weird doll people.
May 29th, 2009 - 08:23
XD I have to say, poor Nano but the last line had me cracking up at a long hard week at work. The poor pants.
June 4th, 2009 - 20:08
I was so surprised when the cockatoo bit him. I’m so glad I was able to take a clear shot!
May 29th, 2009 - 08:44
Oh the kids are so cute! And how did you get all those great animal photos with them, wonderful!
I wonder if I’m the only person who would be a little scared to go to that bathroom…
June 4th, 2009 - 20:11
What kind of Bird of Prey that was in that restroom, we never risked to find out.
We had a lot of help from the animal handlers – and from the animals themselves!
May 29th, 2009 - 09:52
Duende~!!!
I finally get to see you in a proper photostory! Poor Nano, what’s more mortifying than going home with a hole in your pants? I remember that python, we conversed during my first visit there.
GOD! Joey, these photos are total awesomeness~!!! I have no idea how you could get these dollies to interact with these animals and come out unscathed. IT’S A MIRACLE!!!
June 4th, 2009 - 20:14
Joey just takes the shots, we do everything else.
June 4th, 2009 - 21:41
Yes, but still, she deserves credit for all of your existance.
May 29th, 2009 - 19:16
Awwwwwwwwwww… they’re so cute. <3
Your photos pwn.
THIS:
Poets are weird.
*dodges*XD
June 4th, 2009 - 20:15
Thank you! My subjects pwn.
May 30th, 2009 - 04:35
So. Friggin. CUTE. XD
June 4th, 2009 - 20:16
Next shoot, with komodo dragons.
May 31st, 2009 - 13:15
*chuckles*
The Big Yellow Snake is SO CUTE!
Nano is cute!
All of them are cute.
……………..
*sigh* I miss Red Lobo-sama
June 4th, 2009 - 20:17
Hmm, there are no wolves in Avilon Zoo.
May 31st, 2009 - 13:17
OH. MY. GOD. Duende and Nano are the cutest things EVER! X3
Joey, how did you get such awesome shots with those animals? Your dolls must be alive!
June 4th, 2009 - 20:18
We are definitely not dead.
May 31st, 2009 - 14:23
Vali, Nano and Duende are so cute together
June 4th, 2009 - 20:19
I think so, too!
June 1st, 2009 - 23:15
What sweeties. I love that park as well. Though, yeah, awfully close to the animals.
June 4th, 2009 - 20:21
The handlers were amused enough to indulge us. We had a fantastic time!
June 2nd, 2009 - 01:11
Eeeee! I feel like the zoo would be much more fun to experience at Duende and Nano’s size – you actually get to be really up close and personal with the animals.
It also looks much more dangerous though – watch out little ones! Your frolicking with the fauna is adorable but I’d hate to see any small resin pieces break off for such a close encounter!
And what lovely shots of the animals – I’m quite jealous that the wildlife areas around you allow for such intimate interaction with the animals. It looks like so much fun and I can’t wait to see more tiny adventures!
June 4th, 2009 - 20:24
MOLLY! ♥
No resin was chipped, thankfully. The cockatoo was more curious than aggressive. And the handlers were close by to warn us if the animals were getting peeved.
I need to email you! The workload is just preventing me to do so!
June 5th, 2009 - 05:41
JOEY-OEY-O! ♥
Glad to hear no tiny little breakable fingers were gnawed on too voraciously! What an amazing shot though – hanging out with animals so close looks like such a fun and exciting experience!
And I look forward to hearing from you whenever you get a decent break. *huuuuugs* I hope everything has been going smashingly, outside of being way too busy for comfort!
June 2nd, 2009 - 15:13
“… Do you know why this human is staring at me? Is it not normal to see a doll riding a pony?”
maybe the ‘human’ is dumbstruck to see a CUTE doll riding a pony
June 4th, 2009 - 20:25
It was funny to see him stop and stare at Duende that way. Thank goodness for fast-clicking fingers!
June 2nd, 2009 - 19:29
omg!
Awesome shots!
Why is there no zoo like this here? ;___________; It looks so pretty and the animals are all looking so tame… I wanna sit beside a Python like thaaaat! ><
I’m so envious… but gorgeous shots and uber cute dolls.
Congrats!^^-
June 4th, 2009 - 20:27
Hi Shiroi! Well, you can always come to the Philippines so we can take you around Avilon Zoo!
June 3rd, 2009 - 19:23
I love how Duende calls animals by their scientific names. hehehe. I imagine she’d sound adorable actually saying them.
June 4th, 2009 - 20:34
Yep, Duende knows her animals as Nano knows his fountain pens!
June 3rd, 2009 - 20:12
How cuuuuuuuute!!!
June 4th, 2009 - 20:38
Yo-SDs are made of cute. :3
June 4th, 2009 - 16:13
Ahahaha! So cute! I love how Duende’s calling the animals by their scientific names XDD Oh, Nano. You’re so cute, too! <3 Teehee~ I imagine they’re both so adorable with the way they speak! Also– hee! Vali! <3
June 4th, 2009 - 20:52
I think Duende spends most of her waking time in front of National Geographic.
Only Leigh can write for Nano. Whew.
June 7th, 2009 - 21:30
That actually sounds like something I’d like to see a photo of XD I’d love to see Duende spending time watching National Geographic. Or how about Animal Planet? I wonder if she likes Bindi Irwin XD
June 8th, 2009 - 11:42
I thought you wanted to see Leigh writing for Nano in a photo. That’s kind of … mundane.
She likes Steve Irwin. She thinks she’s better than Bindi Irwin, even without the Australian accent.
June 4th, 2009 - 18:30
Aaaaahhhhh!!! Tinies, again! Haha… Sooo cute… @_@
June 4th, 2009 - 20:55
Yes, Bea needs a tiny, too.
June 7th, 2009 - 21:30
BEA WILL HAVE A TINY >:)
June 4th, 2009 - 22:49
If I remember correctly, this was also the day that a Python Molurus Bivittatus sneezed on Joey’s arm.
) Anyway, I really enjoyed this trip! I wish there was a picture of that baby bear that fell on its butt, though; he was my favorite! And let me say again how much the NanoTom and ValiBrad tandem is the cutest thing to ever hit Avilon (although, I don’t know, maybe Duende would like to contest that).
June 8th, 2009 - 12:17
Python Molurus Bivittatus Mucus! Gah.
Proof to your rain-making skills, this trip is soaked! With fun. And it’s hard to forget Feliz’s exploding umbrella.
Duende chose not to come between Nano Cruise and Vali Pitt. That may change when she grows older.
June 5th, 2009 - 10:27
Aww, they are so cute! I kinda hope they’ll be stealing Uno’s blog a little while longer! Not to say I don’t want to see Uno more…. ^^;
June 8th, 2009 - 19:54
I have a feeling they’re here to stay.
June 12th, 2009 - 02:01
x3 Love for the tinies. <3
June 7th, 2009 - 21:37
mini dolls who look cuter than the animals…
would there be any possibility that dolls can be in museums???
id love to visit a museum full o dolls as handsome as Lobo or as Cool as Lugosi….
haaaaaayy…..*daydreaming*
June 8th, 2009 - 19:58
There are several doll museums around. We even have one in Marikina:
http://www.marikina.gov.ph/pages/dollmuseum.htm
If you want a museum filled with Lugosi and Lobo’s kind, then Tenshi no Sato in Japan is the place for you: http://www.volks.co.jp/en/volks/tenshinosato/2f_3f.html
June 11th, 2009 - 21:26
dolls are cute :3
[why not make a mini-Uno?] XD hahahahaha~
it would be soooooo adorable :3
June 15th, 2009 - 12:21
I know, right? If Volks releases the Tokyo Shonen as Yo-SD, my bank account will vaporize.
December 27th, 2009 - 04:10
nanoo looks sooo active for a poet. so cute!