The boys and I took off Tuesday afternoon, once all the school work was done, and headed out to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We bought annual passes this year, so we will plan to go back often. For little more than an hour's drive (and most of that through beautiful mountains if you go the right way)
we can escape to an underwater fantasy world.It's hard to imagine such fantastic creatures - they really do exist, though. The Leafy Sea Dragon is perfection in camoflauge - fits right into his environment and is difficult to spot if you don't know what you are looking for.
The Sea Turtle flies through the water - as graceful in the sea as he is clumsy on land. Magnificent animal - the tunnel at the aquarium gets you up close and personal with him and the other large fish. We saw a number of sawfish resting on top of the tunnel, their saw-like bills eliciting more that one "wow, cool!" from my boys!
The Sand Tiger Shark is a sight to behold in the tunnel with his many rows of sharp and crooked teeth. He's a favorite of D's - easy to identify and a little intimidating. "Tiger Shark" is what we call D when we're trying to get him to try a new thing and he's feeling a bit apprehensive.
Hey - where are my jellyfish pics?
Great drawings of the aquarium! The angle of the turtle is great -- it feels like he's flying by.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I just love to catch a glimpse into the mind of the artist in you. You are so courageous and bold. It's beautiful renditions of God's creation.
ReplyDeleteI love your orange stuff, do you have leafy sea dragons in America? We have them in our cool southern waters around here in South australia and have a festival for them I love them but never actually saw one in all my years of diving. Penny in Victor Harbor South Australia
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda and "hischild"! Penny - we don't have any native leafy sea dragons - just the ones in captivity - what fantastic things, though! I'm not sure I could ever pick one out in the wild, they are so well camoflauged!
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