A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 10 : Misc and the end!

First up?  Some underwater green.  From plants to anemones...

 Our trip to the Vancouver Aquarium was wonderful and we would recommend the excursion to others.  We would definitely be willing to go again!  For more information about the aquarium please visit: https://www.vanaqua.org/    Tickets currently range from $38 to $50 for general admission for ages 13-64 depending on how far in advance you buy your ticket and weekday vs. weekend.

And of course lots of fish...and the occasional turtle...

And now the last miscellaneous items to share from the aquarium: 

more anemones and shrimp and sea stars...

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 9 : Toy loving otters

Hedgehog watching the otters just frolicking in the water.

 

Then they give the otters some toys.

They obviously love their play time with the toys, both the blue-green star and lime green swirly S.

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 8 : Sea lions! What? More Sea lions? Yes! Plus a seal

And what could be better than a nice yawn after dinner?  Maybe a background discussion of the dangers of drag nets?  Maybe not the best after dinner subject but definitely necessary for conservation.
 

Along with yawning let's add some meditation for the discussion about positive reinforcement and the use of yellow jellies (plain gelatin dyed yellow which apparently they love) for more reinforcement.

Don't forget to scratch!  Let the handler talk about California Sea Lions.

Shake, shake, shake it off!  

Apparently this Harbor Seal is secretly an underwater ballerina-see how they twirl?

Awwww....the cute little seal getting a fish dinner.

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 7 : Sea lions! Continuing on...

 A slew of sea lion videos for today's post!

In this first one the handler calls the sea lion.

Second video features the sea lion getting eye drops and getting rewarded.

Just some simpler tricks like touch in the third video.

Now we get into a string of commands with the fourth video like wave, back-up, and raise flipper.

For the fifth video the handler sends the sea lion away...

...to do long distance fish catching in the sixth video!

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 6 : Sea lions! Training and Feeding Integrated

Note in the first clip how much they keep their heads submerged or partially submerged.

 

Then the handlers appear...

One handler has gone back to get supplies but the other handler is still there.  Maybe he has treats at the fence?

Noooooo!!!!!!  They're both walking away!

Wait!  Are they coming back!?! 

 Notice how much more they keep their heads out of the water to look for the handlers.

Similar to training domesticated dogs, the handler motions the sea lions back from the gate/door.

We're currently working on that with B-B.  B will patiently wait to be released but B-B still gets very excited about going outside and wants to rush out.  

Good Waiting, B-B!

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 5 : Jellies! (For real this time)

 

Japanese Sea Nettle!  (Also called Sneezing Jelly)

Like a large proportion of the rest of humanity, I find jelly fish fascinating.  So ethereal and yet exquisitely defined.

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 5 : Jellies!

 This segment was suppose to feature jelly fish from the Vancouver Aquarium but has been co-opted by "Jellyfish" aka "Miss Fish" - the Manx cat belonging to Hedgehog. Miss Fish is adorable and loving but shy at first and then can be very playful when she has accepted you.  She  does have a number of dietary restrictions.  She's especially intolerant of anything with poultry.  Hedgehog did not quite realize when adopting her how much she would cost in veterinary and food bills but was willing to pay the price.  Now they've been together for a number of years and Hedgehog has a very good idea of what Miss Fish can and cannot have in her diet and regime. For more information about Manx (tailless) cats please see the following link: https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/manx

The lure and you can see white-tipped paws to the left by the black bed frame leg...

just out of reach...

the capture!

Extreme close-up

Inquisitive

Pensive

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 4 : Senor Chico

 

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to Senor Chico, a California Sea Lion.

It must take a fair amount of strength to swing around a body weighing several hundred pounds.

Mica hanging out by Mr. Chico's enclosure.

Notice how deliberately the handler pays attention to her space and pace and that of Senor Chico-although these animals know the handlers they are still wild and have their good and bad days.  Even with our dogs I pay attention if B-B is in a bitey mood or B wants to be a baby piranha.

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 3 : Touch Tanks

 They had touch tanks that were closely monitored with sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and others that we could touch after washing our hands at their handwashing station.  

A Distraction Deluge of Aquarium pics from Vancouver Part 1 : Sulky fish

Sure, I can get a fairly decent front picture of the white one but the red/purple?  Nope, it swam to the corner of the tank and I just couldn't get a good picture.