Wednesday, September 15

More from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Gar - and our feet in the reflection. Three for the price of two....LOL

Here's 'the real thing' I promised you yesterday - a quiet (for now) alligator. There were two more in the water, but I couldn't get good photos of them.

I forgot what kind of fish this is; maybe some of you fishermen can help?

Striped Bass. I think they were hungry - or maybe just friendly - but they all swam to the glass wall when they saw people come near.



An albino alligator. Too bad they aren't all albinos; it makes it harder to hide!

I didn't tell you about the nice man we met at our hotel. The morning that mr. kenju and I set out for the beach, I was carrying my beach bag and a chair and mr. k had his chair and his cane. A guy came out of the hotel behind us, spied the cane and offered to carry our chairs to the beach and help mr. k navigate the wooden walkway and the sand. We talked for at least 30 minutes; he was originally from NYC but now lives in Winston-Salem, NC (120 miles away) with his wife. He and mr. k talked about the schools they went to and people and places they knew in common in NY. Have you ever met someone casually like that, on vacation or away on business and wished you didn't have to say goodbye forever?  I think we would all become great friends, given half a chance. It's too bad we'll like ly never see him again.

15 comments:

Scarlet said...

Gosh, it's bee years since I've been to the aquarium! Looking at your photos makes me want to go!
That albino alligator looks amazing... nature is wonderful isn't it?

Pat said...

Those photos have a lovely tranquilising effect. Maybe why people have fish tanks in their living space.
I always try to be caring but I've noticed since our recent trauma I'm much less hesitant to offer help to strangers with mobility problems. There seems to be a warm bond of recognition.

srp said...

Yes, my mom does this all the time. The funniest thing these days is that she sees someone that reminds her of someone else and she simply walks up and asks them. Unfortunately, she usually forgets that a lot of time has past and that this person would have changed in appearance and age as well. So far, she has always been wrong.

I bet those stripped bass associate people with supper... not that they eat humans just get fed by them. ;)

Ginnie said...

I love those chance meetings where the connection is real.
Strangely I don't care for aquariums...there's something about the being surrounded by water that unnerves me (probably from a childhood experience) but I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Carver said...

I have met people like that and it always makes me feel good although sorry that I'll never see them again. Wonderful shots from the aquarium.

Nancy said...

I often wonder when we travel great distances to visit friends how many people live within a mile or so of my home yet I have never met them....

I think the one thing I regret most in my life is never having met the people who I know I could have been lifelong friends with.

Olga said...

I have met really nice people on vacations and a few actually have become friends, but mostly they become fond memories.

Celia said...

Love acquariums, a whole different world. So fun to connect with someone that way. I still think that we have something in common with most people if we have the time to search it out.

Anonymous said...

The aquarium looks wonderful....next time we are in NC we will have to go visit.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

BEAUTIFUL Fish, Judy....And The Alligator is quite something, too...!

Yes, I have had that experience of meeting someone and finding there were many things and people in common...And then, never saw them again. I love that this man you met was so quick to offer help to you both. A truly kind heart.

Mar said...

Beautiful shots of the aquarium!! At least you all had a nice chat with the nice man :)

LL Cool Joe said...

What a nice man! We've met some great people on our travels, especially in the States.

The photos are great.

Star said...

We were just at the Baltimore Aquarium with the CP. There are some beautiful things under the sea. Some scary ones too.

joared said...

Sounds like you've had a wonderful time at the beach and great photos on various posts. Really like these fish. I recall as a child hearing the adult fishermen warning about the dangers of getting a gar on the line and how they could really inflict damage to the person's arms who was trying to get them off the hook. Never saw anyone catch one. They look quite elegant and streamlined in the aquarium.

Reminds me of the Long Beach Aquarium, but haven't been there for ten years or so. Maybe it's time to go back.

Alan G said...

The fish in question Judy is a common carp. Not a real delicacy here in the south. Seems to do better as table fare in the north.