First I should apologize for the space between updates. Since the last time I posted I've been home once, finally started to really get dug in at work, animated 830-some frames for
Wolf (along with random other odds and ends), worked up my notecards for a sci-fi novel with a possible Nanowrimo start, and started graduate-level classes at the Harvard extension school. Not a whole lot of time to do much running around.
This weekend I finally did something that I'd been wanting to do for a long time, and that's head to the Aquarium. The New England Aquarium is a biggie, well-known just about anywhere people watch fish behind glass, and home to a huge collection of salt- and fresh-water life. The only downside to my trip was that they're in the middle of a renovation, which means I didn't quite get to see everything there was to see. I plan to return about this time next year -- and possible go on a whale watch some time in the interim.
Anyway, I'm going to let the Aquarium tell its own story. This is a monster post, so if you internet connection implodes, it's totally not my fault. Totally.
They have a number of tropical tanks there, made me want to run right out to the pet store and start my own.
I couldn't get close enough to actually reach into the ray touch tank (though I have touched rays before,) but I did manage to squeeze in between a couple kids and take a photo of one that way resting--right up until I tried to take a picture of it.
And here's a flyby.
Jellies. I believe this one's a local sea nettle if I remember correctly. These are the critters that will happily sting your feet along the Atlantic coast.
Tiny jellies. These were exceptionally cool.
And these were just strange. They've got a whole room of different jellies plus a couple more types up in the main exhibits.
I found Nemo.
And Gill.
And Dory.
The penguins are usually front and center, but they're basically in a glorified bathtub while they work through the renovation. They're still crazy cute, though.
These guys are pretty sweet -- and they're a very very old type of ray, which makes theme even more interesting.
There's a sea dragon in there somewhere.
Here, too.
A starfish people-watching. Must be incredibly dull to be a starfish. This one stayed right where it was the whole time I was there -- I went past the tank a couple times.
There's a fish in there. I promise.
If you look at center here you'll see a wading bird. There were old birds here, including the local endangered plovers, but they were hiding out near the back and I never got a good shot at them.
You can kind of see them up there in the window. The sign at left is a replica of those seen all over MA's dune beaches.
Sea horses!
Hopefully this isn't too nausea-inducing. I think he was showing off -- or just trying to dodge the camera.
And electric eel. They've got a sensor in the water and play a sound and display a visual representation whenever he zaps.
Poison dart frogs. These guys are really striking.
Om nom nom.
Myrtle! And a buddy.
Out front of the building they have several seals -- and they're really, really active.
The Aquarium is right on Boston Harbor If you look way out there you can see sailboats. There weren't too many out because it was a grey, miserable cold day.
Big sailing vessels. I believe these are tour boats.
