Texas State Aquarium

We've finally gotten bored enough sitting around that we decided to do another tour. Its a cloudy wet day so perfect for a trip to the Aquarium just down the road. Although it looks like a real downpour, actually thats a waterfall feature at the entrance. Kinda cool.

You can see what a dreary day it was but also how close we are to the Lexington, made famous in my last blog. And, just down the street is the equally famous $1.00 margaritas.

The grounds are beautiful with great landscaping. The flowers were lovely, especially the rose in the middle.

We arrived just in time to see the diver enter the large tank to feed the fish. The tank has 350,000 gallons and the acrylic glass is 4" thick. The colours were amazing and all the fish came to her and ate out of her hand. She wears a chain mail glove because if the sea turtle nipped her hand she'd lose a finger.

He looks pretty placid after having lunch, but the moray eel in the lower centre looks like one big mean snake. 

After the diver feeding show was the dolphin show. They put three dolphins through their paces. This was the best photo I got of them jumping. It would be even more impressive if I'd gotten their heads in frame. Damn digital camera lag.

They certainly could jump. Before the show, they just swim in circles and look very bored but really come to life during the show. According to the announcer the training keeps them physically fit, mentally sharp and provides play for them which they naturally crave. They really seemed to enjoy performing.

There was an underwater viewing room so we watched the next show from there. They swim in a circle to pick up speed for the jumps and when they re-enter the water they turn quickly to avoid hitting the bottom.

There were a number of different tanks all with different fish and different themes. This was a Gulf of Mexico tank based on the fish found around the legs of oil rigs. There are over 3500 oil rigs in the gulf of Mexico and very few coral reefs so fish have teemed to the rigs for shelter and food. All these fish attract sharks such as this grey tiger shark. They must feed him well; all the other fish seem to ignore him.

These red piranhas from the Amazon have a tank all to themselves. They are about the size of a dinner plate. The writeup on the wall says they aren't really as bad as we've been told and are just misunderstood. Thats right beside the sign that says "Keep Hands Out" and "Very Dangerous". Not dangerous my eye!

We even found Nemo. This tank had some very colourful fish. It reminded us a bit of the aquarium we used to have at home, only about 100,000 gallons larger of course.

Although this is called an aquarium, there were a number of creatures who inhabit the Texas shores. Such as this migratory tourist found along the shores during the winter migration from the colder climes. A rather handsome specimen in a typical tourist local. Note the paper being carried which helps the tourist to acclimate  themselves to the specific location in which they find themselves.

The animals which are on display have been injured and cannot return to the wild. This roseate spoonbill has a broken wing. They also had sea turtles which lost flippers to fishing line and a large 10' alligator which was removed from a residential area.

 Sea Otters had their own habitat where they could swim and slide down water falls. Of course, as long as we were watching, they laid on these logs and did nothing. Apparently, they are very interesting.

 This bald eagle couldn't fly so he sat high on the tree looking bored. He was huge.

Finally found some otters playing around. It was a fun day and now we're heading over to Pier 99 for some $1.00 Margaritas. Can't believe we had to spend a whole day looking at fish just for some cheap drinks! Although we do feel guilty eating fresh, delicious seafood appetizers after oohing and aahing over a bunch of Gulf of Mexico fish. Naaaah!