Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium: Part 2
Our journey through the aquarium took us to the outdoor wetlands and the amphibious and reptile exhibits.
After passing through the seahorses and starfish in the first exhibits, my wife and I rode the escalator to the top of the Tennessee Aquarium's River Journey building. We were met with warm and fairly exotic surroundings of sunlight, lush landscapes, and flowing waters. No more deep seas for the moment...we were about to experience what many tropical and subtropical inhabitants can sometimes see in their own backyards.
The following is what we observed.
We exited the dark interior of the aquarium into an "exterior" jungle-ish pathway. The warm and more humid air was a marked difference from the cool climate of the aquarium's dark, ocean-exhibit, bottom floors. A few camera adjustments were necessary to capture this wondrous new land.
Wow! What's this? Unconceiveable!
It's some sort of moss-like substance!
We rounded the corner and came upon what appeared to be large river rats. They were very active and apparently didn't realize that we were trying to take their pictures. These river rats wouldn't sit still at all. They must have had ADHD or something.
One of these rats was chewing on what looked like an old crab shell.
Sorry...this was the best I could do. I tried taking lots of photos, but these guys were fast-moving for their size and I was shooting through some rather bright glass. Better luck next time, I guess.
We continued on our way through the fake jungle...
Then we found ourselves indoors again for a brief moment. Apparently, this guy does better in the dark. His camouflage is not very good, in my opinion. The spotlight doesn't help. How does he even catch any food...ever?
Gator tail. The other white meat.
Yum!
Next to "Milky" the gator was a little lonely frog. Look at him, just sitting there all cute and happy and calm...or scared...or indifferent. Do frogs even have emotions?
Back outside once more, we came upon another gator pool. I had to jump into this one to get these photos. Luckily for me, I'm a professional gator rassler and these gators knew not to mess with me.
They were eyeing me though...
"Thlip on into the water and join uth. It'th very thpa-like and peathful."
I had to get under the water for this one. I think I survived - but don't quote me on that.
This next fella' had some kind of problem with me being in the pool with him and the gators. He was a real jerk.
"You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one swimming here. Who the fudge do you think you're talkin' to?"
I feared for my life, so I got out of the water.
"hai. i am snek."
Even this frog's eyes are camouflaged. Cool blending-in effects, bro.
Back inside once more...
Apparently, turtle shells make excellent pillows. Who knew?
We heard some roaring laughter around a corner and found an amniote stand-up routine in progress.
Oh, no...
Ugh...
Things only became more ridiculous from there. I think this is a good place to stop for now.
That concludes Part 2 of the Great Tennessee Aquarium Adventure!
Make sure you come back for Part 3, where my wife and I visit a couple of unexpected exhibits with exotic mammals and insects! Can you guess what these crazy creatures might be?
The sequel was as good as the original. Great job on the photos and looks like a fun time... not sure I will ever try that other white meat tho...
someone else who talks to animals and understands them. I talk to crows and they talk back but my wife says that's not good - they're territorial. All this time I thought they followed me home because we were friends LOL
Wow. This is one amazing place to visit and these are some amazing shots. My favorite ones are the gators.
Looks like a decent aquarium you got there, damn that 6D takes mad shots, are those images post processed too?
3rd try..
I did some minor lighting corrections, adjusted highlights and shadows on some. Other than that, these are just RAW images.
How you survived this ordeal in the jungles of Chattanooga is baffling.
I’m still amazed that I’m alive right now.
Or am I...?
You make great pictures in this aquarium! Even the water rats are visible, especially the third pictures of the water rat is very clear. I 'like' the picture of the claw of the alligator. You were lucky, I think, that you were able to make this picture from so close. I'm curious about the third episode!
Yes, that picture of the gator foot was tricky to take...especially since I have no water-tight case for the camera. I had to hold my breath, dip under the water, and quickly snap the photo.
Somehow, the camera was fine. I almost drowned though.
LOL!!
Amazing place. It looks for real. Think the animals feel comfortable. Amazing water rat. She is very happy with life, I think!)
I just need to point out one thing here...
Those are not "River rats" those are called beavers. They live in the remote jungles of the amazon and eat bald eagle babies. They are nocturnal so you are going to have a hard time catching them with a lens that is not a nocturnal lens. (not ADHD) just running around to find a dark place.
Ugh...I was lied to. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to that stupid kid. He was drooling all over himself. That should have tipped me off.
Lesson learned.
You should know by now that large river rats only pose for Nikon photographers 😜🙃😜
I already hate them. Don’t make it worse!
Well, I hope it are the rats you're talking about... otherwise I'm in deep sh** 😂
Really nice pictures!!
Amazing animals in this aquarium!!