If you ever find yourself in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I can highly recommend the Aquarium, link here. This was not a recent visit as you can guess, but not so long ago in the grand scheme of things.
This is a Snapping Turtle. He has a very interesting face doesn't he?
There were several small crabs scurrying around in this exhibit.
My personal favorites were the seahorses. Only a couple of photos came out. Seahorse populations are declining but it is hoped that holding and displaying them will heighten awareness of marine conservation issues, engage public support and provide the opportunity to study and improve our knowledge of their biology. Here they are not collected from the wild, instead they get animals from facilities that breed captive individuals.
I took several photos but most came out very blurry. I was happy with what I could get.
These are Lionfish and very venomous. They are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and were first observed in US waters in 2000 off the coast of North Carolina. Scientists have offered several explanations for their arrival - perhaps accidental or intentional release by aquarium hobbyists. Lionfish now live around wrecks from New York to South Florida where they prey on small fish and threaten local fisheries. The lesson learned from this and other 'invasive' stories is to avoid introducing non-native species into our local environments. As beautiful as they are, there always seems to be unfortunate consequences.
Striped Burrfish. Their range is from the Chesapeake Bay to Brazil.
These are Sheepshead and their range is from Cape Cod to Brazil.
I didn't identify all the fish and am not sure what these are.
Or this?
These look like those Sheepshead.
I always find aquariums interesting to look around. I hope you have enjoyed these photos from our time there.
Thanks for looking
and enjoy the rest of the week.
Aquariums fascinate me. A new, and often very beautiful frontier.
ReplyDeleteAnd a big yes to thinking twice (and then thinking again) about introducing new species. It has so often been a disasterous move.
Me too EC, I do love aquariums :) Oh yes, how I wish it wasn't that way. So much has been lost because of these introduced species.
DeleteIt feels like I have been to the aquarium! I love it! The way you captured the Snapping Turtle's Head is so cool. It does look rather evil. But then when you back up, in perspective it isn't. I have read how these Lionfish are destroying the undersea environment! Just another accidentally introduced species that is wreaking havoc!
ReplyDeleteHappy you feel that way Ginny :) Wouldn't want to get up too close to these snapping turtles beaks. Their long necks can swivel so fast and fingers would be in danger. Shudder the thought! It's a shame that such a beautiful fish could be so devastating to their new habitat.
DeleteHow wonderful to see these photos of some sea creatures. A lot of life under the sea.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Isn't it though Margaret? :) And there certainly is. So much to explore the deeper we go in the oceans. You take care also.
DeleteBelas fotografias, gostei de ver.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
DeleteEstou feliz que você gostou das minhas fotos. Um abraço e uma boa semana contínua para vocês também.
Hello Denise,
ReplyDeleteThe aquarium looks like a great place to visit. I enjoyed all the photos, the snapping turtle closeups are great. The seahorses are cool. Great series!
Take care, wishing you a happy day!
Hi Eileen, thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed them. I have always enjoyed seahorses. Thank you and wishing you a happy day also :)
DeleteI most definitely enjoy walking around aquariums. I've seen one seahorses in the wild (dead/washed ashore). They are fascinating. Loved walking with you on your tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anni, that's great :) I've never seen any seahorses washed up on the shore.
DeleteThat turtle has a craggy face, but rather cute in its own way. As a teenager I had a tiny pet turtle which lived in an aquarium in our living room. I'm fascinated by seahorses. I have an Irish Waterford crystal vase with one engraved on it which I love. Great photos - not easy to capture the fish swimming about with the reflections from the glass tanks. Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. I'm rather behind with my reading and commenting on friends' blog posts. Wishing you well.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I had a pet dog, a pet cat and rabbits and a neighbor's tortoise that kept escaping into our yard we considered a part-time pet :) Your Waterford crystal seahorse must be gorgeous! Thank you Linda, I enjoyed visiting you and it's hard to catch up sometimes. Understand perfectly :)
DeleteCute critters!
ReplyDeleteI agree, thanks Lady Fi :)
DeleteAquariums are fascinating places and I also love seahorses, they are such cute little creatures. When we visited La Rochelle aquarium, I struggled with photos. To add to the complication we caught the last day of the school holidays last year and there were hundreds of children running around!! Keep well and stay safe, Diane
ReplyDeleteI love seahorses too, such fascinating little things. That would have been hard to take photos. I only remember going to the zoo once in my childhood, never an aquarium. It was a long bus ride and there were no aquariums even within long bus riding distance. You keep well and stay safe also :)
DeleteI love seahorses too. Beautiful creatures.
ReplyDeleteI agree Gigi, so beautiful :)
DeleteAquariums are great places to visit aren't they.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the seahorse, I've always liked them too.
Happy Thursday Wishes.
All the best Jan
Hi Jan, they certainly are. Thank you, I wish you the same :)
DeleteI certainly enjoy aquariums too and have seen several in different countries. I have to confess that I think snapping turtles are not the cutest of turtles. I guess the idea of them pulling duckling underwater to eat them prejudiced me to them. Then again... it is nature.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, snapping turtles are so prehistoric looking aren't they? No, that's not a sight I would like to see either. Instincts for survival have been in the gene pool since time began. I remember seeing a goose limping around on one of my trips to a local pond and noticing snapping turtles nearby. The scenario was there in plain sight :(
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