In an attempt to gain more photography experience, I took some time to go to one of the many aquariums here in North Carolina. This particular aquarium is located south of Camp LeJeune just past Wilmington/Carolina Beach. The last time I drove this far south, Michael and I were taking a leisurely bike ride in the humid heat of the summer. I was amazed by the multi-million dollar bright pieces of real estate that are cramped together on every bit of grassy land by the ocean. It really is so different than anything I have ever seen. Today's trip was different than the one he and I took last summer - the streets were not lined with bathing-suit clad women and there was not a hum of activity coming from the long stretch of tourist attractions that line the 25-mph street. It was nice, though. Quiet and cold with only the locals having lunch in the hole-in-the-wall diners.
Anyway, I've attached some of my favorite pictures from this particular trip the aquarium. My new camera definitely does a better job in the confines of a dark aquarium... but I was also struck by the fact that to my eye, everything was beautiful but to my camera, everything had a HUGE amount of glare or reflection. It was frustrating at times, but I think I got a few good shots. In the end, I had a good time - which is the point, right? Such beautiful things in the water.
Anyway, I've attached some of my favorite pictures from this particular trip the aquarium. My new camera definitely does a better job in the confines of a dark aquarium... but I was also struck by the fact that to my eye, everything was beautiful but to my camera, everything had a HUGE amount of glare or reflection. It was frustrating at times, but I think I got a few good shots. In the end, I had a good time - which is the point, right? Such beautiful things in the water.
The jellyfish proved to be very difficult to photograph. The camera had a hard time focusing on the sheer creatures and the tank was super dark - so the shutter speed had to be open for a long time which makes it difficult to get everything in focus. Still, they are amazing. Oh, and I have seen jellyfish up close here in North Carolina.
They had a few alligators at this aquarium. They were magnificent animals... just sitting so still.
A few pictures of underwater greens...
A little green frog...
A snake hiding in some leaves...
A starfish laying in the water...
A few blue frogs...
A stingray - perhaps my favorite picture of the day...
Some coral... these are true colors, by the way.
A turtle - I seriously think he was looking at me...
And a very cool pictures of a 5-month old sea turtle. North Carolina has several sea turtle conservation efforts/organizations. They are very popular creatures here... and quite cute, too. This one is named "A" and will be released back into the wild when he gets older. His siblings - "B" and "C" - will also go back to the ocean later this year.
A few other random pictures...
And a very cool pictures of a 5-month old sea turtle. North Carolina has several sea turtle conservation efforts/organizations. They are very popular creatures here... and quite cute, too. This one is named "A" and will be released back into the wild when he gets older. His siblings - "B" and "C" - will also go back to the ocean later this year.
Great photos Emily. I love the one of the jelly fish.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures! How in the world did you find the snake? I can never find the snake. Most of the time I think there's never one in there.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, Dad. He was just poking his head out enough for me to see his white areas. There was another exhibit for a particular type of turtle that the marker said would bury itself in the dirt when it gets too cold for them. Surprise, surprise... I couldn't find them at all!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina! I liked it, too.