Virginia Aquarium

Nicolas was able to get a couple days of special liberty to spend time with us and Grandpa, so we planned a couple of outings for all of us.

Our first trip was to the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach.  They were having a special for Active Duty and Veterans during the month of May, so Nick and Grandpa were both half price!

The Aquarium is divided into 2 buildings, with a Nature Trail connecting them.  We started out on the river marsh building, where we saw inland creatures – turtles,

and snakes!

One of the Aquarium Staff had a rat snake out for people to touch – Tom and Nick and I touched it . . . Grandpa wouldn’t get near it!

There were a few birds on display, as well, – a talking crow – Russell Crow – who said “Hello”, and a small screech owl, and two Osprey in an outside enclosure.

Next up was the river otters – they were so cute and entertaining . . . but quick!  I could not get a picture of them as they swam past the window!

When they saw somebody outside on the path, they would go up to the window and look out – as if saying, “Take me with you!”

Sure enough, when we walked outside, he came to the window to watch us!

The Nature Trail that joins the two buildings is also home to the Aquarium’s Adventure Park – a climbing park in the tall trees.

Nicolas has been there with a group from work – he said it was fun (but not as hard as some of these people were making it look!).  We enjoyed watching the climbers as they made their way through the course!

Emerging from the forest, we walked along the trails that followed Owls Creek.

Tom had to try out the Osprey nest!

It was an overcast day, but nice for a little walk through the woods!

We entered the Bay & Ocean Pavilion, where the first exhibit we saw was the aviary and coastal river – there were fish and turtles in the river, and birds flying around.

A volunteer was pointed the fish out to Grandpa.

Next up were exhibits about the Chesapeake Bay and the Bridge-Tunnel (which we would be traveling across in a few days), and then it was on the the Aquariums.

There were Komodo Dragons (not sure they’re native to Virginia!),

Somebody was trying to get a close-up view of the dragon!

Next up was the tunnel of colorful tropical fish . . .

poison tree frogs,

and a 3 generation photo op!

The sea turtle tank was next, and they were really fun to watch.  There were about a half dozen of them in there, and they were really active, swimming all around and looking through the glass at us!  I think they were my favorites!

This one looks like a younger turtle.

From the turtle tank, we crossed over the the shark tank.

There were several large sharks in there, just gliding around, without a care in the world!

Watch out, Nicolas!!

We took a quick look at the jellies,

and spotted a couple of Bald Eagles across the river.

The last tank in the aquarium was the stingray tank,

and Tom attempted to pet one, although they managed to be pretty elusive – staying just out of reach at the bottom of the pool!

It as a nice day spent at the Aquarium, and afterwards we enjoyed a delicious dinner overlooking the ocean in Virginia Beach!