Six Seawatery Things on a Saturday

Later this morning, we’re heading down the California coast to Monterey. One sister is heading north and another is coming south, and we’re all going to meet up at the aquarium. We haven’t been for a while, and I know there are some new exhibits, plus I will spend time at some of my favorites.

Here are a few things I’m hoping to see:

• Black sea turtles-I could watch these guys forever. They’re part of an exhibit with a HUGE floor-to-REALLY-HIGH-ceiling “tank,” and I’m pretty sure they’re the only ones in there that know we’re out there. The website says they’re not on exhibit right now, but I can hope the website’s wrong, yes?
• Sunfish-Another iffy one, according to the website. They have a sunfish, in with those sea turtles, periodically–apparently, they grow so fast, it’s only viable to keep one for so long, then they do a release, or something. They’re so cool to watch, because they come around the tank, and you’re watching, with your brain thinking, “fish,” then all of a sudden they’re there with their stumpy-almost-nothing tail, and your brain says, “Whoa!!”
• Jelly Fish-These guys, I know I’ll see. If you are ever in Monterey, you must go to the aquarium for the jelly-fish exhibit, if nothing else. It is incredible–you’re in a dark room, with the perfect tank lighting and these incredible alien-things drifting and drifting and drifting…Another exhibit for standing and staring. (Oops! I just read that this exhibit is closing mid-September–quick, buy your plane tickets!)
• Seahorses-When my son was young, he and I loved the books on animals and camouflage, and going to look at, or for, the seahorses is a practical application of the art of nature’s we-hide-and-you-seek talents. It is so cool to be staring at what you think is a clump of feathery or strand-like water plants and realize…that’s an eye! or…there’s its tail!
• Giant Pacific Octopus-This exhibit is new since the last time I visited the aquarium. Octopuses (octopi?) are so cool. I’m really hoping they’ve got things set up so we can watch for a bit–I know that these guys like to tuck themselves away in holes and crevices, but–as with the jellies–the aquarium’s pretty good about creating exhibits where people get to stare and the animals get to stay oblivious (except for the black sea turtles, of course).
• Flamingos-Honestly, I’m not totally excited about these birds, but…I am curious to see just how pink they are in real life. My guess is, on the color, I’ll be pretty stunned. Hmmm…wonder if there’ll be the perfect pink tee-shirt in the gift shop??

What are you doing this weekend? Have a good one, no matter what!