Alaska Sea Life Center
Morning started overcast but very calm and dry. Looked like boat tour might have been ok today. We watched several tour boats head out on their morning runs. A while later things began to change. First a drizzle, then light rain, and then wind. We were glad we opted for tomorrow, so far anyway.
Off to our goal for the day but first stop the local quilt shop :). We have been doing this in every town/city in Alaska. It is interesting to see the different approaches to quilting as opposed to home. Here there is much more emphasis on using pictured fabric and making pictured quilts rather than fancy piecework quilts. I find them more fun to look at but appreciate the work of a piecework quilt.
Two blocks down from the quilt store (Seward is pretty (very, actually) small), on the waterfront, is the Alaska Sea Life Center. This is an aquarium and sea life research center. The only one in Alaska. Certainly not near the size of Monterey Bay Aquarium but what is there is very well done and very well presented. There are docents everywhere with ready information. Many displays and videos and of course tanks. There is an island 35 miles south of Seward that is a sea lion rookery. There are several video cameras stationed there that are controlled remotely by the research center. That way they can study the sea lions without disturbing them. The video is a live feed to the aquarium. Ever watched a sea lion give birth? We have. Good timing I guess.
This pup was birthing tail first. Something else we can add to list of sights seen. :)
King crab up close.
Shrimp up close.
Starfish (up close).
They have an enclosure and tank devoted to sea birds.
Our first look at Puffins.
Harbor seal (up close).
Everybody’s gotta have a jellyfish tank.
Back to carbus.
Views from our front window, about 60 feet away to:
Sea otter
Another sea otter
Harbor seal. He was a little farther away, about 40 yards. Hard to get close up photo.
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