In My Writing Cave

photo credit: lew french

Usually I update this blog more frequently, but life is insanely busy right now with work, life responsbilities, the p90x program, seeing my friends, hanging out with my family and caring for the dogs... So I thought I'd share some of my recent Nat Geo postings, in case you'd like to check them out! I'm going to be in my writing cave all week long... lots of new and exciting projects happening right now! :)

A few months ago I had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Aquarium. My most recent post on the Nat Geo Inside Wild blog highlights the whale shark feeding. Check out images & descriptions here.

And this link shares a story about a dog that ate a barbecue skewer – which pierced his stomach and heart – and how doctors worked to save his life.

And if you like mysterious science, check out the controversial debate on pig-to-human lung transplants in my latest Nat Geo TV piece on xenotransplantation here.

Do you watch Oprah? You might remember the tale of Faith, the two-legged dog. If you're interested in reading about Faith and viewing images of this special pooch, check out my piece on the Nat Geo DOGS Blog.

America's First Zoo

I worked from the Philadelphia Zoo today. Did you know that it's America's First Zoo? I had a few special behind-the-scenes tours with keepers, and then I strolled the grounds for bit.... I'll be writing LOTS of fascinating animal posts about my visit on the National Geographic Inside Wild Blog.... so stay tuned, and in the meantime, here are a few of my favorite images from the day:

 {Barred Owl – this guy is blind}

{venemous Cottonmouth snake}

{baby Porcupine}

{no introduction needed}

{a Ringed Teel male that also happens to only have one leg}

{Amur Tiger}

{...... and here I am, holding my first Boa}

What are your favorite animals?

{photos are copyright Jodi Kendall}

Turtle Back Zoo Day

I spent the afternoon today at the Turtle Back Zoo. The Director/Lead Vet gave me a lovely tour of the grounds and access to some amazing animals! Here are a few of my favorite photographs from my visit (Psssst...... they have several peacocks!) 

Read more about my zoo & aquarium visits here and on the Nat Geo Channel.

{photos are copyright Jodi Kendall}

Home Sweet Home

I arrived back home in northern New Jersey late last night. I'm so thankful that I didn't have any accidents, flat tires or the like while on the road. While traveling is a blast, it's always good to come home, isn't it? I'm so happy to be back with my husband and dogs. And everything is in bloom here – our little carriage house looks so pretty!

I'm going to take a blogcation for a few days to regroup. I need to spend time with my family and friends (and don't get me started on how much laundry and work writing I have to do!). I'll have lots of posts next week highlighting the other cities I explored on my road trip – like Asheville and Annapolis – and more about my zoo/aquarium tours.

Total statistics from my road trip:

I drove 2,867 miles in six weeks.

Visited eight states.

Spent time with 20 family members.

And hung out with 15 friends.

If you're looking for some light reading this weekend, and if you've been following my posts on the National Geographic WILD channel & DOGS blog, here are a few of my favorite entries....

{link}

{link}

{link}

{link}

{link}

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! xo

Tortoise Time

Yesterday I got to hang out with some tortoises. Isn't this guy enormous? He arrived at the National Zoo in the 1950s... no one is exactly sure how old he is! Learn more about the Aldabra tortoise here

.

* © passport in my pocket *

Elephant Bath

Today I helped bathe an elephant for the first time. I got to scrub her ears and pet her trunk. She was so sweet to me.

All the details of my visit with soon be posted on the National Geographic Inside WILD blog. There are LOTS of exciting things in the works, so I hope you'll check out the site.

* © passport in my pocket *

Just a Little Piggy Post

Remember my post on Ellie, my family's pet pig? 

Her story is now live on NGC WILD blog!

* © passport in my pocket *

Honk if You Heart Animals

Did you know that the National Geographic Channel has launched a brand-new television network, WILD? If you like animals, I promise you'll adore this new TV channel!

 {photo credit ngc}

Many of you already know that I write for the Inside Wild blog, so I hope you'll check out the site and leave a comment if it strikes your fancy. (BTW, you can view my other NGC work here and my work profile here).

Read the Inside WILD blog.

Get the WILD show schedule.

Check availability in your area.

I know, I'm blessed to do what I love (write!) for a living. Recently, I had a behind-the-scenes tour at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, and I have some exciting upcoming events that I can't wait to experience and share about (insert Jaws theme music here, hint hint). So I hope you'll check in frequently to learn about interesting animal news, encounters and facts!

* © passport in my pocket *

That's Some Pig

Did you know that my family had a house pig growing up? And we lived in the suburbs of a big city, too. Her name was Ellie. She gained a pound a day and liked to nap on the carpet in front of the hot air vent. Eventually, Ellie went to live on a farm because she became quite the porker.

* © passport in my pocket *

Nat Geo WILD launch!

Today, the National Geographic Channel launched a new network WILD! This new television channel has an exciting line-up of new series and specials all about animals. Recently I interviewed one of the WILD hosts, Mireya Mayor, about her shows "Mystery Gorilla" and "Wild Nights."

For any of you animal lovers out there, I hope you'll check out the National Geographic WILD website & channel, and share your favorite shows below!

Learn all about WILD.

See new show video clips.

Read my Nat Geo WILD blog posts.

View the entire programming schedule.

{all screenshots photo credits: ngc wild website}

* © passport in my pocket *

The Truth about Rosie

Many of you know about Rosie, my parent's goldendoodle puppy....

Like when they went and got her. That she could be the cutest puppy in the world. And how I recently met this little pup for the first time.

But there's a secret about Rosie... 

Something I never told you...

Rosie is a nickname.

For Teddy Roosevelt. 

Seriously.

Get the full story here.

* © passport in my pocket *

My Day in Five Sentences

The morning began with french-pressed coffee...

And then it was a long day of work at the library...

I watched a sunset in the woods...

And filled my belly with Peter's homemade cheese lasagna....

And after I was tired and full, I traveled Up in the Air ....

* © passport in my pocket *

Type Type Type Type

Hey all, I get a lot of questions about my various writing jobs .... so in case you're interested in reading some of my National Geographic Channel work, my profile is now up online. There's lots of exciting, fresh content right now on the site, so feel free to visit the website, drop me a comment and click "Recommend" if you enjoy my blog posts! Added note – new posts go live on the NGC site about every few days, so I hope you'll bookmark the page and check back frequently!

Visit the site here. 

Thanks for reading, my lovely followers – I appreciate all the support.     :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

* © passport in my pocket *