martinzoo

I’ve been desperately wanting to go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. But it looks like it’s gonna be a long while before I can get there. So today, I think I got to do the next best thing. We went to the aquarium on Roanoke Island. The North Carolina Aquarium puts the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach to shame. And I also thought it was even nicer than the one in Myrtle Beach. We had a great time. And GB loved it!

This is a river otter. We have them in our local zoo, but I loved the nice habitat that they had set up here for the little guys. The habitats at this aquarium were truly amazing. Really. You could tell that they have spent years and years working and tweaking to get really nice environments for all their creatures. I didn’t feel that awful feeling you get when you feel guilty that an animal has been taken out of nature for our viewing enjoyment. They seemed happy.

And these adorable turtles were basking in one of the nicest spots of sun in the whole place. Don’t they look like they should be labeled “Just chillin’”?

This is an American alligator

This picture on the wall broke my heart. It was a picture of a barn roof during Hurricane Isabelle a few years ago. It’s weird to mention flooding when you are under mandatory water restrictions for drought, huh? Anyway… the pigs from the farm were using the roof as a refuge from the flood waters, and I’m not sure if you can see it in the picture, but the sun was so strong, and they didn’t have any mud, so their skin is all sun burnt. Isn’t that sad??

Cute little sea horse….

GB trying desperately to get to pet some of those speedy little sting rays in the touch tank. He said they felt weird, but he said it with a great big grin on his face. I cannot confirm, because let’s face it, you know me, and I was having NONE of that.

Here he is almost tipping into the tank in his quest for more pets. Can you say ‘determination’?

These starfish and sea urchins were much easier to get access to. And ok, I did touch one of the urchins…. b r i e f l y, because it was SO strange looking. And no, obviously, I didn’t die. I am a trooper.

GB’s favorite part…… the shark. This tank held his fascination for quite a while.

He’s still being cute, so I’m still clicking the camera….

Now I really want to go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. But at least I’ve had a nice taste.