It was a rainy and cold last week when we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium with high hopes that a combination of visiting mid-week during nasty weather might tamp down the crowds. Label that wishful thinking. The weather meant that people would be looking for an inside location. Duh. And, with the Big Sur highway washed out, there were a lot more people in town than usual. We joined a long line that snaked its way up the hill and around the side of the building before winding through a crowd control maze and back down the hill. Thankfully, the weather gods put the rain on hold for the 30 minutes it took to reach the entrance.
What had to be tamped down was my normal claustrophobia brought about by large crowds wanting to see the same thing I did. Fortunately, the jellyfish, sea otters, sharks and countless other forms of sea life were guaranteed to put a smile on my face and cure my grumpiness.
Great photos, Curt! A lovely day at the aquarium, which reminds me of Toronto’s Ripley Aquarium that we visited last fall once again. Jelly fish room is definitely one of a kind🙂
The most fascinating tidbit here was your mention of the two sets of eel teeth. I had no idea. I’ve never seen one in the wild, but that’s just fine by me. Jellies, on the other hand, often float by while I’m working. Cabbageheads and moon jellies are the most common, although other species can appear from time to time, depending on tides and temperature.
Just a note: jellies aren’t fish, and ‘jellyfish’ is akin to ‘Canadian goose’ or ‘seagull.’ Those common names are everywhere, but it’s worth noting that the correct terms are ‘jellies,’ ‘Canada goose,’ and ‘gull’ (with terms like ‘ring-billed’ or ‘laughing’ attached). I got lectured so severely and publicly on my use of Canadian goose some months back that I’ll never forget the experience. I like knowing what’s correct, but I’m sure not going to be the taxonomic police!
Laughing about the lectures, Linda. Although it may not have been funny to you. I like being correct but not to the point that I want to be lectured if I am not. I’d worry more about misspellings and grammatical errors. I do my share of those. I’d say a sea horse is quite a ways from being a horse, as well. Grin. I suspect you find the scientific names a bit frustrating since they keep moving flowers around between families.
I’ll be featuring Velella in my next post. They had been washed ashore in the thousands at Point Lobos.
As for jaws, I learned about it for the first time as I did my research.
As always, your photos are much better than mine! We were at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2006. Did you see the penguins? One thing I do remember about the aquarium was that it wasn’t very busy – maybe because it was late October. On the whole, though, it just seems like everywhere is so much more crowded.
Well, you feature some very good photos…
Not only did we see the African penguins at the aquarium, we saw them in the wild on our African safari trip last November!
I think this was my fourth trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the most crowded. 🙂
The Monterey Bay aquarium’s a good one, although I have only dim memories. The Steinhart in San Francisco is good too, if you’re heading that way. Too bad Big Sur is washed out – I hadn’t heard. Really the whole coast from there north is pretty nice…
My memories of the Steinhart may be even dimmer, Dave. Maybe the 70s? As for washouts along the Big Sur Highway, I’ve had three experiences with it happening. One time, Peggy and I had to be escorted through an area where big rocks kept rolling down!
Jellyfish are so gorgeous – to look at!
Wow, Peggy’s encounter with the eel! Eek!
I’ve never heard of a raft of sea lions – how fabulous it looks.
Alison
I always make sure to check out the jellyfish exhibit if an aquarium has one, Alison. I can’t resist the colors and shapes.
Peggy never forgot her encounter with the eel. As for a raft of sea lions, it was our first experience with one as well. Thanks. –Curt
We have a funny story of our son trying to buy a jelly fish for our home aquarium. Probably not the best idea (especially because we had a fresh water tank). They are beautiful though. The whole Monterey Bay Aquarium looks beautiful. We might have to plan a trip down there this summer.
We enjoyed the 17-mile drive and loved Bird Rock. So many great shots here! Love the balancing seal. I wouldn’t want to meet that eel face to face though. 🙂
Fantastic adventures around Monterey, Curt, and much appreciated. Your photos are delightful.
Thanks, Jet. Always one of my favorite places. Almost up there with Pt. Reyes…
How fabulous! You have a picture of the lone knobby knee gull. What a treasure! The eel is just scary. See you along the way!
Thanks Wendy! We are working our way north. Slowly. 🥹
So gorgeous, Curt and a perfect day for an indoor activity! I love the sea lions for sure and can never get enough of them. 💓
That and the book store we went to immediately afterwards, Cindy! 😁
Great photos, Curt. I can get lost in an aquarium just like at the zoo (where you can usually find me by the Otters!!)
Thanks, G. Getting lost in such places is one of life’s great escapes!
These are amazing!!
Thanks, M.B.
Great photos, Curt! A lovely day at the aquarium, which reminds me of Toronto’s Ripley Aquarium that we visited last fall once again. Jelly fish room is definitely one of a kind🙂
Thanks, Christie. A whole other world!
I’m a sucker for aquariums. The 17-mile drive is fantastic too. Thanks.
Yeah, me too!
Oh my goodness – those jellyfish!
Gorgeous, huh. Thanks, Cicilia.
The most fascinating tidbit here was your mention of the two sets of eel teeth. I had no idea. I’ve never seen one in the wild, but that’s just fine by me. Jellies, on the other hand, often float by while I’m working. Cabbageheads and moon jellies are the most common, although other species can appear from time to time, depending on tides and temperature.
Just a note: jellies aren’t fish, and ‘jellyfish’ is akin to ‘Canadian goose’ or ‘seagull.’ Those common names are everywhere, but it’s worth noting that the correct terms are ‘jellies,’ ‘Canada goose,’ and ‘gull’ (with terms like ‘ring-billed’ or ‘laughing’ attached). I got lectured so severely and publicly on my use of Canadian goose some months back that I’ll never forget the experience. I like knowing what’s correct, but I’m sure not going to be the taxonomic police!
Laughing about the lectures, Linda. Although it may not have been funny to you. I like being correct but not to the point that I want to be lectured if I am not. I’d worry more about misspellings and grammatical errors. I do my share of those. I’d say a sea horse is quite a ways from being a horse, as well. Grin. I suspect you find the scientific names a bit frustrating since they keep moving flowers around between families.
I’ll be featuring Velella in my next post. They had been washed ashore in the thousands at Point Lobos.
As for jaws, I learned about it for the first time as I did my research.
As always, your photos are much better than mine! We were at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2006. Did you see the penguins? One thing I do remember about the aquarium was that it wasn’t very busy – maybe because it was late October. On the whole, though, it just seems like everywhere is so much more crowded.
Well, you feature some very good photos…
Not only did we see the African penguins at the aquarium, we saw them in the wild on our African safari trip last November!
I think this was my fourth trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the most crowded. 🙂
The Monterey Bay aquarium’s a good one, although I have only dim memories. The Steinhart in San Francisco is good too, if you’re heading that way. Too bad Big Sur is washed out – I hadn’t heard. Really the whole coast from there north is pretty nice…
My memories of the Steinhart may be even dimmer, Dave. Maybe the 70s? As for washouts along the Big Sur Highway, I’ve had three experiences with it happening. One time, Peggy and I had to be escorted through an area where big rocks kept rolling down!
Jellyfish are so gorgeous – to look at!
Wow, Peggy’s encounter with the eel! Eek!
I’ve never heard of a raft of sea lions – how fabulous it looks.
Alison
I always make sure to check out the jellyfish exhibit if an aquarium has one, Alison. I can’t resist the colors and shapes.
Peggy never forgot her encounter with the eel. As for a raft of sea lions, it was our first experience with one as well. Thanks. –Curt
We have a funny story of our son trying to buy a jelly fish for our home aquarium. Probably not the best idea (especially because we had a fresh water tank). They are beautiful though. The whole Monterey Bay Aquarium looks beautiful. We might have to plan a trip down there this summer.
I could certainly empathize with him wanting to buy a jelly fish. Grin. Did the story end there? Thanks for commenting.
Wonderful adventure on the coast, Curt, and one that we’ve been on. If you’re interested, the link to my post is:
https://baydreamerwrites.com/2022/05/23/california-coast-birds-squirrels-trees-peace/
We enjoyed the 17-mile drive and loved Bird Rock. So many great shots here! Love the balancing seal. I wouldn’t want to meet that eel face to face though. 🙂
Thanks for the awesome photos and narrative!