A trip to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ 1/23/10.

After we toured the aquarium we sat on this bench outside to soak up the sun as it was a warm, and very sunny day. Anita has a picture on her phone that has the three of us lined up on the bench but, we haven't downloaded it yet. This picture should technically be at the bottom of the post as it was at the end of the day. We are squinting since the sun was in our eyes.

The Philadelphia skyline as seen from outside the aquarium. I was comparing it to the New York skyline and noticing how much smaller it is. This is the spot where I stand to watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve. The fireworks are shot from a barge in the river. That's the Delaware River between us.

A lion fish.

One of the big sharks. I took this picture from inside the tunnel that goes beneath the largest fish tank, if you call it a tank.

A rear view of a porcupine. We were thrilled to learn that there is a porcupine that resides in the hippo enclosure. The trainer brought it right over to the glass right in front of where we were standing. I was surprised to learn that it is a rodent. I had hoped to get a shot of it's head but it was too busy eating to pose for pictures.

There are two hippos at the aquarium and they are my favorite attraction. The children usually have to pull me away from watching the hippos. They also don't like the fact that it's a bit smelly in that exhibit area. But, you can feed the free flying birds who will take food out of your hand.

This octopus was active and very entertaining.

Giant Japanese crabs.

Me, touching the sharks. Two of those sharks came at me, at separate times, with a vengence, their heads out of the water and their teeth bared. I thought they were going to bite my fingers. The attendant announced over her mic that folks should let the sharks settle down before trying to touch them. As far as we could see, I was the only person who was approached, in that manner, by the sharks. Anita claims they didn't like me for some reason.

We took Stacy to the Aquarium for her first visit. She left there feeling sad for the large creatures that are enclosed in tiny tanks and for the hippos who possibly may never get to go outside. Some examples are the Giant Japanese Crabs, the octopus, the king size lobster and many, many other species of fish in small tanks.