Sunday, August 16, 2009

Mosaic Monday: Jellyfish, Sea Dragons, and Sharks (oh, my!)


I love museums and aquariums. I can spend all day poking around...

Last weekend, Hannah and I met my sister and her daughter in Atlanta for a few days of exploring....

Our primary destination was the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world. It didn't take me long to find two of my favorite sea animals: the Australian weedy sea dragons and sea horses. These two creatures seem almost mythical to me. The aquarium also is home to Nandi, the only manta ray ever to reside in a U.S. aquarium, whale sharks, and cute beluga whales. Not to mention the most diverse population of aquatic life ever found in an aquarium.

The Titanic Aquatic exhibit was still open, so we were able to see the artifacts recovered from that tragic crossing. It was amazing to see a display of china plates stacked one behind the other sitting upright in the sand just as they had found them deep on the ocean floor. Unbroken, no less. Clothing, luggage, and other personal items were also on display, all recovered practically intact from the wreckage. As we made our way through the exhibit, we came to a passageway that was designed so we could feel the vibrations and sounds of the engines just as third-class passengers did on that fateful night. It was a bit eerie and sad to walk through the exhibit knowing how many people lost their lives that night and how frightened they must have been as the ship was sinking.

There was so much to see throughout the aquarium, I can't tell you about everything. But you can visit the Georgia Aquarium virtually by clicking here. And if you're ever in Atlanta, you might want to put this on the top of your "to-do" list.

The photos are: (1) jellyfish (2) sea worms (3) shark (4) beluga whale (5) Hannah and Allison petting the sting rays and sharks (6) sea anemone (7) otters (8) whale shark (9) Hannah "swimming" (10) sea horses (11) jellyfish (12) the cousins in front of the aquarium entrance.

Mosaic Mondays are hosted by Mary at Little Red House. Click on over!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Great Sea life shots! I love aquariums too! I could spend all day!
Pretty Mosaic! Have a great week!
~Really Rainey~

~JarieLyn~ said...

these are great photos. I really like the sea otters. They are so cute. It looks like you all had a wonderful time.

Linda K. said...

Cool mosaic! The coloring you captured is awsome!
Linda

My name is Riet said...

What beautiful pictures. Such great colours. Have a nice day

Regina said...

Gorgeous and beautiful!

miruspeg said...

Blogging notifications aren't updating at the moment so I am pleased I came over here for no particular reason and happily found a new post.

Very interesting mosaic and it goes without saying....loved reading your words.

I am just as enthralled as you are with sea horses. I hadn't seen any until I went to Tasmania on a holiday in 2005 and visited a place where they breed them. Like you said mythical little creatures.

That Titanic exhibit must have been quite an eye opener and extremely moving.

You must be back at school soon, it seem like only yesterday that you wrote "Schools out for summer".

Take care always Roban.
Hugs
Peggy xxxx

Pretty Zesty said...

so fun and pretty!

Mummy McTavish said...

Beautiful photos! I love our local aquarium and I love seeing it through the kids eyes but I also can't wait for the day when we don't have to rush through it to get to the kids area at the end and I can just sit down and watch the giant sea turtle lolling about the shipwreck tank with the massive groupers... I love that tank.

Candace said...

I LOVE the Georgia Aquarium. Matt and I went when it first opened and are planning on going back with Laurel soon. I think she would love it too since she goes crazy every time we see a fish, lol!

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Pretty Mosaic...I would love to go there...I have only been to one big aquarium and it is in New Orleans...it's called Aquarium of the Americas, (if memory serves me right) It was awesome. I sure would love to visit this one that you have shown!
Happy Mosaic Monday!

charrette said...

Cool photos! I love aquariums too. My favorites are the ones in Seattle, Monterey, and top of the list is Chicago. But this one in Georgia sounds fabulous!

We saw the Titanic exhibit in Mexico (where they shot most of the movie) and I found it haunting. I also think it's strange that objects (even fragile ones) remain intact nearly 100 years later, but all the people have passed on. It made me realize how fragile life is.

Linda said...

very nice mosaic, makes me feel cooler on a hot muggy day

Caroline said...

WOW! I had no idea that Georgia had the largest sea aquarium in the world. Great shots Roban!

Cass @ That Old House said...

GREAT shots! Especially love those adorable girls... and the snoozing otters.
Great!
Cass

Jen said...

It has been ages since I've been to Atlanta, but your photos definitely make me want to get there again. I love aquariums, and I could see the kids spending hours there!

Jenn @ youknow... that blog? said...

Interesting post! I saw a documentary not long ago on how they acquired the whale sharks, and how well they care for them. I'd love to visit this place. Your mosaic and post are terrific!

Anonymous said...

Great shots! Sounds like such a good time!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I would love to see this place in person! I posted my saltwater aquarium today, so obviously I'm an enthusiast!
Brenda

Ebie said...

I love the diversity of your sea life. Great mosaic. That is really a cool shot of Hannah "swimming"! Great post!
P.S. I also read your post below on how you became a teacher. I love it! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Great mosaic. I agree, aquariums are the best. So mesmerizing.

beth said...

oh how I would love to see the titanic items....I have seen that movie so many times and just recently caught the ending of it...again....

Relyn Lawson said...

That wonderful pink sea anemone has me swooning.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Roban...What a beautiful mosaic! Love the pink creature in the center! I have been to the GA Aquarium...didn't you just love it? I really liked the huge tunnel you could walk through. We hit the otters when they were feeding...floating on their backs with their lunch spread out on their bellies...munching away!lo So cute! What a treat! Enjoy your week!...Debbie

Mary said...

Oh, Roban, a visit to an aquarium is always so much fun! Thanks so much for sharing at Mosaic Monday. :)