Monday, November 8, 2010

A fishy story.................


Arriving at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher near Carolina Beach last weekend, the fish were ready for Halloween!
Now that I've been to Africa on safari I have the feeling that visiting a zoo is no longer on my list of places to go.  Seeing beautiful animals penned and caged after watching them running free would be difficult. 
Visiting the aquarium to see the wonders of the ocean I can still enjoy.............as I doubt I'll be taking up deep sea diving at my age!


Entering the lobby we were greeted by this large alligator...........no longer a danger to humans thank goodness.  There are however many live alligators swimming in the nearby Cape Fear River.  Jasmin thought the people zooming along on jet skis were awfully brave.  Hey, I was in a tiny boat on the Zambezi River snapping closeups of humongous crocodiles and gigantic hippos just a few months back!


Great tanks of beautiful fish - these looked harmless enough.


Oops, there were live alligators in there.....see our feet reflected in the glass, Bob, Jasmin, me.....wonder if he thought our ankles looked tasty!


I enjoy all horses but these tiny sea horses are perhaps the loveliest.


This is my favorite shot of Jasmin at the aquarium - she wore the right color t-shirt to blend in with the fish.


Even the faux fish displays were awesome.  It's really a beautiful place and not to be missed when visiting the area.


Lots of sting rays, some huge, in the large ocean tank, as well as small sharks and several species of beautiful fish................

........................and these guys hanging around the outdoor pond in the Autumn sunshine.  This was a beautiful day.

9 comments:

  1. Happy Monday Mary!

    I am a big fan of Aquariums! I'm too "chicken" to be a diver, so it's the only way I get to see these wonderful creatures.

    Great photos, especially the one of the stingray!

    Have a wonderful week, Chris

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  2. I haven't been to an aquarium in years! You got some wonderful photos while there!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  3. Last time I went to an aquarium was about 20 years ago when our daughter was small (no alligators dead or alive there though!). Looks like you had a fabulous day :o)
    Best wishes
    Rose H

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  4. That was really lovely, Mary. Looks like you're getting to see a lot of fascinating places while you're there.

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  5. It does look like it was a beautiful day! I love aquariums and especially those little sea horses.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Fabulous underwater shots, the little turtles in the last photo look as if they are enjoying a good chin wag!
    Maggie

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  7. Oh Mary..I absolutely love these photos, especially the ones with Jasmin in them, those are just amazing!!! Wish I had been there with you this Aquarium is just beautiful and so interesting!!

    Blessings...
    xoxo Gert

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  8. Mary, your Jasmin is lovely. I rather like the reflection of her with a camera, as it emphasizes her as an interesting young woman with passions (photography, for instance)! When you showed the pics of the crocs I also thought of your recent trip, and despite your disclaimer, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you took up deep sea diving -- you are an adventurous soul, which I admire!

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  9. That is such a great picture of Jasmin with the reflection of her. It is almost like a mermaid photo! I am not too fond of alligators, and the ones who go skiing on rivers or lakes, hmmmm, not for me! Ah go for it Mary! Try a little scuba! Course who am I to talk? I've only done some snorkeling!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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