Mystic Aquarium

Its still, as the weathermen say, HHH. High Pressure, Hot, Humid, 3 H’s. I like the heat but I will admit the humidity is starting to wear me out.  The forecast was for a break in the humidity if not the heat so Nancy and I decided to take the kids to the Mystic Aquarium. I was thinking it would be inside so we’d avoid the oppressive outdoors anyway. I’ve never been to Mystic Aquarium so what did I know. I based my opinion on Boston’s Aquarium.

Anyway, quite a bit of Mystic Aquarium is outside and to my way of thinking some of the most unique and best exhibits.

Mystic

It’s not a bad drive to Connecticut and we made it right on time according to the On Star  directions and that was with several minor traffic back ups.

The Beluga exhibit is right there when you first go through the entrance.

DSC_3263 copy

I could have spent the whole visit there even though it was hot and humid. The whales are sometimes called the Canaries of the Sea because of the multiple vocalizations they can make. They did not disappoint us. They blew and chirped and stuck their heads out of the water.

DSC_3306 copy

At the observation windows they seemed as fascinated by the humans as we were of them.

Beluga

Following the path toward the Penguin exhibit we passed the seals & Sea lions.

DSC_3272 copy

DSC_3271 copy

Then it was decision time, right took us through the “Marsh” on a boardwalk and left took us to the Penguins. The kids made a bee line for the boardwalk and eagerly inspected the duckweed and plants for turtles and frogs.

DSC_3278 copy

I really liked the boardwalk. We spotted quite a few creatures once we adjusted our eyes to finding them in the weeds.

Frog in Duckweed

DSC_3276 copy

DSC_3281 copy

We had an audience of 3 little ducks too that added comic relief.

DSC_3274 copy

DSC_3275 copy

Next up was the Budgie Tent.

DSC_3285a copy

Those birds are always fun.

DSC_3283 copy

There were cockatoos and other small birds native to Australia as well as the Budgies.

DSC_3284 copy

By then It was time for a break and we hadn’t even gotten inside yet!