Matt and Carol's Travels: Still in Arizona

I figure it's time to let people know what we have been up to the last few weeks in between relaxing and doing nothing. We took a drive to Scottsdale AZ and visited the Odysea Aquarium. It is not just an aquarium, there is an atrium filled with butterflies, a Titanic display, and a dinosaur exhibit. There is no need to hurry through to get to lunch, they have a food court. If you have young children there is an opportunity for them to run some of their energy before seeing exhibits, or after lunch, in an area designed for your young adventurers.

For those of us that enjoy our seafood but don't see it in the wild too often, you can enjoy halibut relaxing at the bottom of their tank. For those not familiar with halibut, they are similar to flounder who have both eyes on one side of their body so they can swim the ocean floor and still their surroundings. The aquarium not only has fish but other aquatic animals such as otters, penguins, and alligators and crocodiles. I didn't get a picture of the 18 foot crocodile on temporary assignment to the aquarium, too many people at the glass.

The otters were just as curious of us humans as we were of them, but did not find us worthy enough to come closer for further inspection.

These are just some of the beautiful fish that can be seen at the aquarium. They also have some strange creatures as well, like the Frogfish that actually walks on it's fins vice swimming. Believe it or not, there is a creature/fish... matches the coral.

Like other aquariums there are areas of interaction. One of the touching pool allows the opportunity to "pet" sturgeon. I didn't realize how many varieties of sturgeon there are, some are even being watched to prevent extinction. We learned that there is only one authorized caviar farm in the United States. The other touching pools are like tide pools. I forgot to mention an educational ride that rotates stopping at four stations. Each station talks about a different part of the ocean and it' respective wildlife.

OFF TO LUNCH.

We're back, and off to the butterfly atrium. One problem I have with atrium's is the fact that they are Florida on steroids in the summertime. We walked into this one and by the time we left I was 20 pounds lighter... unfortunately it was only in my mind.

Before entering the atrium people pass through the nursery. Odysea imports cocoons and raises their butterflies. Approximately 300 butterflies are introduced into the atrium daily. There are many butterflies, some are willing to land on the obnoxious creatures roaming through their home. Carol and I learned that none of the plants are indigenous for the butterflies, it is to prevent uncontrolled breeding. The butterflies have access to the fruit so that they stay healthy while they are on display.