Pittsburgh Zoo: The Aquarium

 It is called the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, after all...  And the aquarium is a consistently lovely experience.  It's the one place where the animals are always out to be seen.  From my first visit I was delighted by most of the experiences provided.  My only exception is the habitat where the penguins are housed.  I've never liked penguin habitats that are entirely enclosed in the interior of a building.  I just feel like the little guys deserve to experience the sun, and the sounds of the outdoors.  It's possible that they have an off-public exterior place.  

An otter sculpture in the exterior gardens of the Aquarium.

The entrance.

BROOK TROUT

Salvelinus fontinalis

Less flashy than their Rainbow Trout cousins, the Brook Trout was once found in bountiful numbers in every freshwater stream and river in eastern North America.  Today it's absent altogether in many, yet remains resilient in sufficient places to be considered Least Concerned on the endangered species roster.  Such stunning beautiful fish.

PHANTOM GLASS CATFISH

Kryptopterus vitreolus

One of many multi-species freshwater habitats with foliage consistent with the environment it represents.

Their colony consists of Gentoo Penguins with a couple of Rockhoppers.

GENTOO PENGUIN

Pygoscelis papua

Freshwater tanks give way to many large wonderfully designed salt water tanks.

TESSELLATE MORAY EEL

Gymnothorax favagineus 

The crowned jewel of the Aquarium is a multi-story representation of the Amazon River and Jungle.  It looks before you when you enter.  When you complete the tour of the many tanks and Penguin Habitat, you end up on the second floor overlooking the habitat.  To get to the main floor, you traverse an ADA accessible ramp that wraps around the "island" with alcoves highlighting various tanks and flora.

The view from the second floor.

Looking over the balcony at the large Amazon River Tank.

Amazon River Stingrays

My father taught me how important it is to look when you're in the woods.  It's a lesson that I cherish and apply whenever I have the chance to explore the living world.

The view from the entrance foyer.