Although we didn't have pouring rain all day, it was gray and rain was on again and off again. The Mister decided today was the day we should go to the aquarium we have driven by for a year and half. It's one of those places that invokes the discussion; I wonder what's there? I wonder if it's any good? Is the mermaid show simply hokey? So, this morning the Mister commented that we should take some time and visit Mertailor's Mermaid Encounter to have our questions answered.
A bazillion families evidently made the same decision! The show began at 3 PM, but it was suggested we arrive before 2, and we must be gone by 4 when the next group comes in. We did. The Mister had pre-purchased our tickets so we were able to bypass the long-ish line of families waiting to buy tickets to the show, and tickets to feed the sharks, and those waiting to buy stuffed animals and other tchotchkes. It was rather crowded, but all in all, the kids were well behaved and we had the advantage of being taller than all of them, so we could see the exhibits...which were all a nice surprise.
As you enter there're a number of McCaws (at least 8) and an Umbrella Cockatoo, all of whom have been rescued or placed at Mertailor's as their caretakers could no longer perform that role.
Each exhibit had signs telling about the animals in that exhibit.
However, this was my favorite sign!
A few of the fish, echinoderms, cephalopods and crustaceans:
I was taken by this starfish (echinoderm) - its coloring was magnificent.
Then I realized that the blob next to it was an animal!
This is the Wobbegon Shark (Chondrichthyes)
For $5 you could feed the stingrays.
I was tickled by the stingray performing a "Flipper" maneuver trying to get the girl's attention.
Feed me! Quite a trick!
A fellow doing an introduction to cephalopods told us that the octopus on exhibit is named Octavia.
He also commented about how smart octopi are.
Here he's explaining how squid eat.
I couldn't help but wonder if anyone has a relationship with Octavia
as in the book and movie Remarkably Bright Creatures.
(If you haven't read the book, or seen the movie, available on Netflix, I highly recommend them.)
In my mind I kept hearing the rather disdainful voice of Marcellus in the movie,
and wondered if Olivia has snide remarks to make about we humans!
The culmination of the encounter is the mermaid show.
A story is narrated about the supposed history of Mermaids while
this one swam and sang to music being played.
I found it fascinating that Mertailor's Aquarium evolved from a company that made mermaid tails (thus the name). It was founded by a young man...he formed the LLC at the age of 14. His tails have been seen on TV and in movies, as well as in music videos and by Lady Gaga! The company evolved and became the aquarium and encounter, having rescue, rehome, conservation, and education being an important part of his mission. A story more fascinating to me than the mermaid show!!
