June 18th - La Jolla

One of many Brown Pelican passing up the coastline today

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Birch Aquarium

Tracey, James, Alice (the dog) and I headed down to San Diego this morning in the 'blue Subaru', stopping for a fish and chips lunch at a seaside shop at the end of Ocean Street in Carlsbad. We sat outside overlooking the beach because Alice was permitted to be in this area.

Views from our lunch stop site in Carlsbad
Whale sculptures in front of the entrance to the Birch Aquarium, La Jolla

We then headed for the Scripps Institution's Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. Here we spent the remainder of the afternoon. The Aquarium is set in a magnificent location overlooking the sea and although not large is very well worth a visit. The exhibits are magnificently displayed and there were plenty of activities to amuse James. In fact, he was perfectly content to sit in front of an aquarium tank and gaze at the brightly coloured tropical fish, although he was especially intrigued by Moray eels!

Jellyfish of an unknown species; a Triggerfish (Balistoides sp?) and some sort of pomacanthid or Angelfish?

A Moray Eel, possibly a Gymnothorax sp. (Green Moray G. prasinus?)

Multiple rods once used in tuna fishing

I found the story of the early days of tuna fishing off the southern California coast and the use of multiple rods quite fascinating. Up to four rods are shown in action on an accompanying film clip to the above exhibit!

Front of the Aquarium overlooking the sea

James enjoying the hands-on experience!

An excellent display on global warming and the alarming rise
in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

Superb example of camouflage.
An unknown scorpionfish-like sp. wonderfully matching red algae

Another superb example of camouflage.
A syngnathid or seahorse, possibly the Leafy Seadragon Phycodurus sp. looking like drifting seaweed

James amusing himself!