Visit to The Florida Aquarium

[dreaminmel]

Had the chance while on vacation in Tampa, FL to stop in and check out this aquarium. http://www.flaquarium.org/

Following are some pics I thought I'd share. Pics of the rest of the aquarium, the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo, a sunset, beach, etc. can be found here. http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm82/dreaminmel/Florida 2010/?albumview=slideshow Enjoy

 

[dreaminmel]

 

[dreaminmel]

 

[dreaminmel]

 

[dreaminmel]

 

[dreaminmel]

 

[Kent E]

great pictures Mel!

 

[GMaquarium]

I love that place. Thanks for sharing.

 

[superkat]

beautiful!

 

[jfl14609]

Sweet I wanna go now

 

[Srixon]

Fantastic Pics Mel!!!

 

[cardiffgiant]

Nice! I love their wetland exhibit. When I was there they had a puffer fish the size of a basketball in that big shallow tank.

We were also there in the winter time, so we got to check out the manatee viewing at the Big Bend electric plant. The first day we went there weren't any. The second day there were over 30. So cool.

 

[faze07hd]

You really got to see that goliath grouper in person to appreciate its size... That thing is frikin HUUUUUUUUGEA!

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks for the pic comments all.

Jeff, If you really want to go there are deals to be had. My aunt paid approx $1000 for a package that included the flights, a rental car and a room at Sailport Waterfront Suites for 5 nights. All we had to pay for while down there was food, entry to the aquarium and zoo and any miscellaneous shopping we did. I plan to do this again very soon.

Ben, Completely agree on the wetland exhibit. There were a lot of things I couldn't get good pics of due to the acrylic but I did get soaked by the large fish in one of the pools when an employee tossed chunks of food in. lol I think my next favorite part after that area was the section w/ the two kreisel style jellyfish tanks. I had to be dragged away because it was so hypnotizing. And... I was blown away by how many tanks they had with seahorses in them. Interaction wise, I really like the Atlantic species colder water touch tank with the 'nems and starfish and also the stingray petting tank. A great place to visit more than once. :thumbsup:

Harry, That Goliath grouper was rediculous. I tried to take a pic of the entire fish but reflections kept messing it up and it wasn't quite showing size comarison all that well anyways. For those who haven't yet seen this thing... the pic with my hand next to it's head? It's body was a gazillion times larger than it's head. lol

 

[Henry Colf]

Nice pics Mel..... Did you get a chance to check out WWC????

 

[716mer]

Great pics Mel. I had the opportunity to visit the Tampa Aquarium last year and again this last month - the place is really impressive. - Mark

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Great shots, Mel! Glad to hear you had a fun trip!

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks Henry, Mark and Scott. Wish they had used glass in place of the acrylic as I had taken others that turned out horrible from scratch marks and hazing. Am definately pleasantly surprised though at how many actually turned out ok for me. lol

Henry, I had hoped to pop in on WWC but as it turns out my aunt had quite a schedule planned out for us that involved visiting with family that lives there so when we weren't running around doing that I was trying to just relax and soak up some sunshine. Next time though... definately paying WWC a visit!

 

[Maraschiello]

So Crazy! I was just there on Friday! I loved the huge puffer, sea turtle and eels in the giant tank! My dad lives in New Port Richey

 

[mynock11]

Sweet pics mel...