Friendly-Fishy Blog » Captain

Thanks for Sharing Pictures and Thoughts

The Aquarium Blogger — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:42:00 +0000

It's amazing to see the pictures that Tennessee Aquarium visitors share with everyone. Here's a great example sent to the Aquarium by a recent visitor: "While visiting the aquarium, I was attempting to snap a picture of one of the jellyfish and ended up with this picture. It shows the reflection of my husband and daughter in the glass along with the actual picture of the jellyfish. I tried duplicating the shot and was completely unable to. I just thought it was amazing. As is the Aquarium- we visited in July and hope to return soon!" - Katie

Another visitor e-mailed to share his thoughts about a recent visit: "My friend and I had a great time last Friday and enjoyed all exhibits in both Ocean Journey and River Journey. All staff and volunteers were very helpful and it was a great experience. Besides the penguins and sharks, one of my highlights was touching a milk snake! Until then I would have never been willing to touch any snake in a million years but the handler eased my fear and nervousness! I even learned to appreciate the snake's beauty! Of course that doesn't mean I'm looking for rattlers or copperheads especially here on Kentucky Lake!!! HA!

We also enjoyed an IMAX 3D show and did a River Gorge Cruise during the afternoon. Again everyone was so helpful and friendly and I'm looking forward to another visit in the near future. The guide on the boat and the Captain went out of their way to make all of the passengers feel right at home and special. I also enjoyed the history information that the guide presented about Chattanooga, the river and Lookout Mountain." - Bobby from Camden, TN

The snake Bobby mentioned is one of our education outreach animals that are part of our new animal encounters program. Every hour of every day in both Aquarium buildings, a different animal is brought out for visitors to meet. One of our animal encounter specialists helps guests get to know these critters, their special adaptations and interesting behaviors.

Learn more here: http://www.tnaqua.org/Newsroom/close_encounters_PR.asp

Thanks again to Katie and Bobby for sharing their experiences with everyone!

Star Trek: The IMAX Experience Held Over

The Aquarium Blogger — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

The following communication was intercepted today on a sub-space frequency:

Spock: “Captain, I am detecting readings that Star Trek: The IMAX Experience was scheduled to end its run at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater on July 30th. That would be ill-logical.”

Kirk: “Scottie – Check the projector’s dilithium crystals. How are they holding up?”

Scottie: “Aye Captain. They seem to be holdin’ up just fine. I’d say the film could run at warp speed on the giant, six-story screen through at least August 9th.”

Kirk: “Well then. Spock, I think you’ll find it most reassuring that Star Trek: The IMAX Experience WILL continue showing at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater through August 9th.”

Dr. McCoy: “You see Spock, anytime you’re worried about film listings you can log onto the Aquarium’s website: http://www.tnaqua.org/IMAX.aspx . You could even tap into your human side and become an Aquarium Facebook Fan. That would be the logical move for anyone who wants to stay up to date on Aquarium events and IMAX movies.”

Spock: “You didn’t have to resort to insults Doctor McCoy. I will update our records to show Star Trek: The IMAX Experience playing through August 9th.”

Kirk: “And…let’s….not…forget. ‘Under the Sea 3D’ and ‘African Adventure 3D’ are also showing. Kirk out.”

Wild Time on the Explorer & at the Aquarium

The Aquarium Blogger — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:36:00 +0000

Captain Thomas Offutt was quick with a camera aboard the River Gorge Explorer yesterday. These deer were seen by passengers along the water's edge on Williams Island. At about the same time, two of the young osprey chicks were seen on the shore taking a bath. Apparently wildlife viewing has been abundant this week. Naturalist John Dever reports sighting four egrets and a bald eagle on one excursion earlier this week. Everyone seems to really enjoy the Sunset Special cruises. One guest e-mailed to let everyone know how relaxing and enjoyable the sunset cruise was last Friday evening.

Check out the details here: http://www.tnaqua.org/planYourVisit_rge.aspx

The macaroni baby penguin continues to rapidly grow. At the last weigh-in, it topped the scale at over two pounds. Amy Graves said they will have to use a larger scale for the next weigh-in. We also have two new eggs. Zeus and Pebbles, a gentoo pair, have two eggs in their nest now. Amy Graves also said that Nipper and Flower have suddenly started building a nest together. And apparently Flower has been sitting in that nest quite a bit lately. So the question is.....will there soon be two more eggs in "Penguins' Rock?" If so, there could be a.....little Nipper or two on the way.