Animal Updates | Reptiles | Volunteering
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Photographing the Sea Turtles of the San Gabriel River | Hugh 
Learning the surfacing patterns of urban sea turtles.
Since August of 2008 my wife Pam and I have been conducting an informal survey of the green sea turtles of the San Gabriel River for the Aquarium of the Pacific. While Pam handles the data gathering portion of the research I have the responsibility of photo documenting the resident turtles of this river that runs between Los Angeles and Orange County. In this week’s blog I’d like to share a few of the images that I’ve shot this past year of these improbable urban river residents.
Conservation | Whale Watching
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Orcas Already?! | Kera
Our boats say YES!
We’ve just kicked off gray whale season and we’re already having some great sightings out there! I was shocked when we started seeing gray whales so early, but after this last weekend, we can officially say orcas are debuting for the season as well. Read on to find out more on the orcas spotted this last weekend.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Volunteering
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Ollie the Otter’s First Snowman | Hugh
Ollie enjoys her first Holiday Treats for the Animals Day.
During last year’s Holiday Treats for the Animals event, while the rest of the otters at the Aquarium of the Pacific were playing in the snowy landscape laid out for them by the staff in the sea otter exhibit, Ollie the orphan otter pup had to be content being by herself in her holding pen in the behind the scenes area. She was too little then to be in the main exhibit. This year however was different. On this year’s Holiday Treats Day, Ollie was in the exhibit enjoying her very first snowman!
Whale Watching
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Talk About a Perfect Whale Overlap! | Kera
From blue whale season to gray whale season
Around this time when we first move into gray whale season, it can be slow at time when we’re anxiously waiting for the first gray whales to pass by. So far this year we’ve had no slow times at all! Read on to find out what we’ve been seeing that’s kept this year’s whale watching off the charts!
Animal Updates | Birds | Mammals | Sharks | Volunteering
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Random Snapshots From the Aquarium | Hugh
There's always something interesting to photograph at the Aquarium of the Pacific
This week’s blog features 5 random snapshots from the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Conservation
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Shopping With the Fishes | Claire
Need gift ideas for the holidays? I did some Santa legwork for you in the Aquarium’s gift store, Pacific Collections, and assembled a pretty nifty gift guide to get you started.
Animal Updates | Birds | Conservation | Volunteering
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Catching Penguin Fever | Hugh
Spending time around the Magellanic Penguins
Karen, an aviculturist at the Aquarium of the Pacific, could see the big smile on my face after spending time around the penguins in their behind-the-scenes area. She could tell that I was catching “Penguin Fever,” the happiness that’s caused by being around these wonderful critters and their playful antics.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Whale Watching
Friday, November 04, 2011
Blue Whale Season Wrapping Up | Kera
The whales are giving one heck of a finale!
We’re now into the first week of November and we’re still seeing blue and fin whales, and even a few humpbacks that have been in the area. Although the sightings are starting to get a little spotty, they’re still giving us a great show. Just this week we had some incredible lunge feeding and breaching whales!
Animal Updates | Sharks | Volunteering
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Big Guy - The Laid Back Sand Tiger Shark | Hugh
He’s one of the original inhabitants of Shark Lagoon. He looks big, bad and mean. But the Aquarists at the Aquarium of the Pacific know his deep down secret. He’s more Sherman from the comic strip Sherman’s Lagoon than Jaws from the movie Jaws. He is “Big Guy”, the Laid Backed Sand Tiger Shark.
Animal Updates | Mammals | Whale Watching
Thursday, October 20, 2011
When Being Late is Fine With Me! | Kera
This has been another exceptional year for blue whale watching. We’ve had hundreds of sightings, seen some incredible behaviors, and had very consistent sightings. Around this time the blue whales are normally leaving the area, and the sightings become a little spotty, but the sightings have never been better. It would seem they’re a little late in making their way to the winter grounds, but you won’t hear me complaining!
