chrisstie
Premium Member
Unfortunately in a few days I have to go back to Orlando but in the last two weeks I've seen Denver and Seattle. We're trying to snag this sweet rental thats nearby all the action in Seattle, too.
In the meantime I wanted to share my experience at the Seattle Aquarium. When I first walked in there was a wave aquarium with local denizens of Puget Sound. These are temperate species incluing Sculpins, cold water anemones, crabs, cucumbers, and other local critters. I also got to see a very large tank built as two cylinders with a horizontal cylinder connecting them. It wasn't filled all the way to the top with water and we were most surprised when a giant pacific octopus came swooping around the corner. It deftly jumped on a tiny fish, inflating and surrounding it looking almost like a parachute when a sky jumper has landed. I really think it could try to get out if she really wanted to. She was about my size, all stretched out, and a beautiful shade of crimson.
One of the other most distinct features of the aquarium is a domed room they installed inside Puget Sound. Here you can sit and feel the frigid chill in the air while looking out into the natural habitat of these fishes. We saw a sturgeon that had to be at least 6-7' long. Sound sharks, Sculpin, Salmon, some type of flounder or sole, and more anemones - some the exact color of mint chocolate chip ice cream, others pure strawberry in size and color all shared looking in at the underwater tank of humans.
I was able to stroke a cucumber and anemone in a touch tank, realizing how numb my hand would be in caring for a cold water tank, I observed some beautiful reef denizens in a section that almost seemed out of place with such a strong focus on local fish. We were also able to see some fur seals which were playful and as mysterious as they were adorable. One other animal that stands out in my mind is one that I would describe as the lovechild from a cormorant and a puffin mating. Its called an auk, and is relative to the puffin. We got to see them diving in and around some of the amazing kelp that grows out here.
I strongly recommend for anyone able to do so to visit the aquariums on the west coast. They bring to life species that are heard of only a little and have great information about how to conserve and preserve these great animals for future generations.
In the meantime I wanted to share my experience at the Seattle Aquarium. When I first walked in there was a wave aquarium with local denizens of Puget Sound. These are temperate species incluing Sculpins, cold water anemones, crabs, cucumbers, and other local critters. I also got to see a very large tank built as two cylinders with a horizontal cylinder connecting them. It wasn't filled all the way to the top with water and we were most surprised when a giant pacific octopus came swooping around the corner. It deftly jumped on a tiny fish, inflating and surrounding it looking almost like a parachute when a sky jumper has landed. I really think it could try to get out if she really wanted to. She was about my size, all stretched out, and a beautiful shade of crimson.
One of the other most distinct features of the aquarium is a domed room they installed inside Puget Sound. Here you can sit and feel the frigid chill in the air while looking out into the natural habitat of these fishes. We saw a sturgeon that had to be at least 6-7' long. Sound sharks, Sculpin, Salmon, some type of flounder or sole, and more anemones - some the exact color of mint chocolate chip ice cream, others pure strawberry in size and color all shared looking in at the underwater tank of humans.
I was able to stroke a cucumber and anemone in a touch tank, realizing how numb my hand would be in caring for a cold water tank, I observed some beautiful reef denizens in a section that almost seemed out of place with such a strong focus on local fish. We were also able to see some fur seals which were playful and as mysterious as they were adorable. One other animal that stands out in my mind is one that I would describe as the lovechild from a cormorant and a puffin mating. Its called an auk, and is relative to the puffin. We got to see them diving in and around some of the amazing kelp that grows out here.
I strongly recommend for anyone able to do so to visit the aquariums on the west coast. They bring to life species that are heard of only a little and have great information about how to conserve and preserve these great animals for future generations.
