Travelogue: Aquarium boasts many features

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 5, 2006

Editor’s note: In early January, Alden resident Les Schrader traveled to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

Following is an account of his travels.

By Les Schrader

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Because of the winds, the Pacific Ocean was particularly angry and demanding attention as we walked the sandy path on the cliff’s edge beside the highway. The mile-long trail would eventually lead to the famous Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

Observing the ocean at the horizon, one could detect a long and slender “cool whip” line that began to widen as it was driven the long distance it had to travel before crashing upon the shore. It had picked up size, strength and speed before the full grown 20-foot tall wave crashed upon the hobnailed granite rocks that protruded from the sands. The 20- to 30-foot rocks held their guarding positions and after a frothy bath of seafoam in the air, the crashing waves retreated … defeated again.

Farther along, a sheltered sandy cove was a haven for 40-some Harbor Seals. Each was lying, head, tail and belly to the sand as if they were soaking up any warmth the sand could release on a cool, cloudy day. Like rocks placed in a pattern, each had a ten-foot territory as if to say, “This is my space. No trespassers.” And the interesting pattern had each seal facing in the same direction.

The well-planned, designed and constructed aquarium has many features, special exhibits and departments. The Kelp Forest grows in a very large, four-story cylinder which can be viewed from above sides and subterranean levels where sea otters can be viewed as they scavenge for an unprotected clam or displaced crayfish.

The Sandy Shore features puddles and salt marsh plants with some of the birds that need protection. These birds, plovers, killdeer, etc., build nests in unsafe places along the shore where they can be destroyed by animals, the ocean or careless and uncaring people. A similar, but separate shore vistas, where the South African Penguins live. Now these penguins have company from New Orleans. The visitors had to be rescued from the hurricane. They will return someday when the zoo is reconstructed.

Perhaps the most exciting for all were the rocky shore exhibits. These include a couple table-tall winding baths with vegetation and interesting animals for all to see and feel. The roughness of a starfish could be felt. There are many kinds. A small girl was fascinated by the young and small Ray that swam to her. She enjoyed petting it and it seemed happy to let her. Many of the animals that cling to rocks with there strong suction cups were clinging to clear glass plates. Volunteers behind the tables would pick the glass plates up and out of the water and then show the strong suction cups, the breathing gills and the mouth of the animal and explain why they should not be forced from that to which they cling.

Other areas of great interest were the giant octopus, jellyfish living art, exploring the deep-sea, sharks and rays, and saving the seahorses.

The aquarium exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have received many and various awards. Awards have been received for their Aquatic Conservation, and from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the Excellence in Exhibition Award are only a very few. The aquarium is very, very deserving of its many awards.

Walking a different route in the residential area, it was easy to see that many plants had started to bloom or were blooming. The “Bottle Brush Trees” still clung to some blooms though many fewer in number. Looking down, colorful pansies were enjoying the cool days and the moist to wet weather. Umbels of primroses smiled up from their rosettes of foliage. Brightest of all were the flowering spikes of Kniphofias that look like red hot pokers. Many plants, like the California poppies, seemed to wait tirelessly for the warmer temperatures that will come with a later sun and longer days.