Monterey Bay Aquarium Part 1

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The first time I saw a photo of a Leafy Sea dragon from the 'Secret Lives of Seahorses' exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, making the trip to Monterey became a number one priority. Little did I know that the Sea Dragons were only the start of a myriad of captivating sea life and sea creatures both big and small on exhibit at the aquarium.

Sea Turtle

Dwarf Seahorses measuring less than one inch

On both trips we've taken to the aquarium, we've found wonderful accommodations in Seaside, right on the beach with a sweeping view of the Monterey Bay.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located a short drive away at Cannery Row, made famous by the author John Steinbeck. The Aquarium is housed in what was once the Hovden Fish Cannery.

The evidence of a rich history is documented on the walls including these replicas of some of the packaging labels of the day. One of the remaining pieces of the original cannery is the whistle. The whistle was used to summon fish packers to the cannery any time of the day or night. The whistle calls for each cannery were different. When the Hovden workers heard two long blasts and one short they would make their way to the cannery to pack the fresh catch of sardines.

The closest exhibit after entry into the Aquarium is the Sea Otters. This last trip, I was looking forward to viewing their newest pup #572, a rescue at one week of age who was being given special bonding time in front of the public with his surrogate mother, Joy. It was great watching the two of them resting, playing and feeding together. Now at three months of age, it appeared the bonding had taken place and it was obvious why Joy had been chosen.

Joy on the left and the darker #572 on the right

We then headed to the second floor and wandered through the mystical exhibit of the Jellies. The softly playing background music was a beautiful accompanyment to the graceful movement of the Jelly Fish as they extended their pulsating bodies with gently waving tentacles. Their beauty belies the sting these Jelly Fish can inflick in an effort to paralyze prey. The unfortunate swimmer that makes contact with the sting of a Jelly Fish can atest to how painful they can be to humans.

During our first visit, we watched the feeding show in the auditorium where a Great White Shark, Hammerhead Sharks, the amazingly large Mahi- Mahi, Tuna and a myriad of other smaller fish put on quite a show.

Great White Shark

Mahi-Mahi

Photography was a bit difficult due to the crowds during the show. This short video from quite a distance away on the balcony shows the level of excitement and action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3wCA5ZLmdI

'The Secret Lives of Seahorses' continues to be my favorite exhibit at the Aquarium. From the Pygmy Seahorse measuring less than an inch in size, to the extravagent draping appendages of the Sea Dragon, they elude a magic capable of mesmerizing the soul

This Seahorse is easily disguised amongst the colorful coral

Pot Bellied Seahorses

Seahorses are unique in the fact that males, not females, become pregnant and give birth . The female transfers the eggs to the male who fertilizes, then nurtures the developing embryos until birth. Male Seahorses carry the young in a protective pouch. Sea Dragons carry the young on the underside of their tails.

My favorite of the group is the Leafy Sea Dragon. The billowing appendages of green help disguise them among the seaweeds and seagrasses on their native reefs. The Sea Dragon is quite large compared
to the Seahorse, measuring up to 18 inches long.

Another favorite is the Weedy Seadragon who also uses their unusual appendages and shape to disguise themselves in their environment of grassy reefs.

The touch pools in the Aquarium offer an awesome opportunity to not only observe some of the sea life up close but also touch some of the various species on display. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions and offer additional information on these specimens of life from the ocean.

The long Sea Cucumber is deceivingly soft to the touch

Known as a 'Mermaid's Purse', this is the egg casing of a Swell Shark that was hactched at the Aquarium. The tendrils on either end of this 6" egg casing wrap themselves around sea weed or kelp where it floats freely until hatching. The baby Swell Shark was being tended in a small aquarium.

Baby Swell Shark

This completes the first part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Blog. I'll be continuing on with a second part that visits the Kelp Forest, Monterey Bay Habitats and the Splash Zone. The third part will extend beyond the Aquarium to the ocean with some iconic shots of the 17 Mile Drive. Stay tuned!

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