Tampa Aquarium

This little critter is called a sea dragon.  We found him at the Tampa Aquarium on our recent trip to Florida.  We had a good time there.  It really does look like a piece of floating seaweed. 

Believe it or not, this is a fish.  It’s called a bat fish.  Don’t know much about them, other than the fact that are truly unique in appearance.

This little critter is a rescue animal.  Someone had kept her as a pet where she ran into a ceiling fan and got brain damage. 

The aquarium was a lot of fun.  We took lots of other pics but few turned out.  We’re still learning how to get the most out of the new camera.  We did finally get our zoom lens which we’ll be very grateful for in the coming weeks when we go see the shuttle launch.  Though we’re going to be 7 miles away from the launch this time, we’re hoping for causeway tickets next time.  Either way it should be a blast…literally. 

My heart goes out to the people of Haiti.  They were sure devastated by this quake.  It makes me appreciate California building codes because I’ve lived through several earthquakes that were as big or bigger than the Haiti quake and nothing serious happened.  The most damage I’ve ever seen to my property is a few things being knocked off the shelves.  My prayers go to the rescuers who have all those lives in their hands as they continue to try to dig people out from the rubble and attempt to hand out food and water and provide shelter.  Hopefully when they begin to rebuild the savaged country, they enforce some sort of building codes so that they won’t have to worry about this sort of tragedy again. 

Along the Haiti lines, I really believe that Pat Robertson’s comments about Haiti were completely bizarre and way out of line.  How does he know what the Haitian people did or said 200 years ago.  As one reverend put it, instead of seeing God behind the destruction in Haiti, he chooses to see God in the thousands of relief workers that have put their life on hold and risk injury or illness to bring hope to the devastated areas.  Pat Robertson needs to understand that there is a time and place for that type of bogus story and this is not it.  Unfortunately it’s not the first controversial thing I’ve heard come from that man.  Sure, he’s entitled to his opinions, but come on, show some class. 

OK, enough of all that.  If and when I get a good pic of my electric catfish, I’ll be sure to post here first thing.  You guys will love her.  Her name is Sparkplug.  It will give me good practice with the camera.