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ian408
Jan-23-2005, 09:21 PM
As mentioned in a previous post, I spent the day at the aquarium with
three families and five small kids. We decided to go at feeding time in the
Outer Bay exhibit. Those of you not familiar may like to know this is where
the Great White is.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714637-M.jpg

The band down the left side is a seam. It is one of several pieces that
make up this massive viewing window. Also resident are yellow tail sushi...I
mean Tuna :D and Mahi Mahi.

A view of the viewing window.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714633-M.jpg

Some history. When the Outer Bay exhibit was conceived, this was one of
the largest viewing windows in the world. The company that helped build
the kelp forest exhibit was contracted to put the windows in. I believe it
is six separate pieces. Before the installation began, all but the installers
were asked to leave as the process for building the windows is a secret.

Jellies.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714662-M.jpg


The kelp forest exhibit.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714648-M.jpg

This is a very cool exhibit. It has a motion not unlike what you'd experience
in the ocean...surge. The surge machine was designed by David Packard.

Another in the kelp forest.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714646-M.jpg

Feeding time is crazy. The tuna can swim pretty darn fast. Damn fast in
fact.

This is what it looks like when the food is dumped into the tank.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714642-M.jpg

About 175 pounds is consumed in the space of 5-10 minutes.

There's things to look at above...most are life size.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714652-M.jpg

Here's the current draw. Sharks. Features sharks from many of the
world's oceans.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714673-M.jpg


I'm still learning to control the beast in darkness. This time, ISO 3200
and for the most part, 2.8. I think this place would be better with a
50/1.8 or so. I will say this. AF in low light isn't what it could be...

Ian

gregneil
Jan-23-2005, 09:37 PM
I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Your shots of the kelp forest are great. That orange fish is striking in that setting. It looks like there's some bands of light in the background (faint) that follow the same line as the fish - I wonder if there's a way to bring those out more...

I love the jellies exhibit. One of my favorite sections... Here's a shot I took there last year...

http://gregneil.smugmug.com/photos/7333633-M.jpg

Dee
Jan-23-2005, 10:05 PM
It's been about two years since I've been to the aquarium, so it was really nice to see these photos.

Dee
Jan-23-2005, 10:06 PM
http://gregneil.smugmug.com/photos/7333633-M.jpg

I love the hand "touching" the jellyfish!!!

ian408
Jan-23-2005, 10:14 PM
It's been about two years since I've been to the aquarium, so it was really nice to see these photos.
If you want to go, in fact if any dgrinner's want to go, I have two guest
cards. You're welcome to use them.

Ian

Dee
Jan-23-2005, 10:18 PM
If you want to go, in fact if any dgrinner's want to go, I have two guest
cards. You're welcome to use them.

Ian

I'm way overdue for an aquarium fix! Were the turtles in the big tank?

DewrGleision
Jan-24-2005, 10:02 PM
I let my membership expire there about a year ago now... http://www.digitalgrin.com/images/smilies/11doh.gifhttp://www.digitalgrin.com/images/smilies/sad.gif

I loved that place! I used to live about 40 minutes away from Monterey, in Hollister. Still have the house if anyone's interested...

I need to go see that Great White already! I keep hearing about that, and the reefer community was a buzz when that hit the presses! Coming up on some Laguna Seca events too... Hmmm... Sounds like I need to craft a Monterey-weekend!