National Aquarium: Atlantic Coast Reef

Okay, let's size up the day.  I have been here for over 3 hours, and I'm not the least bored.  On the contrary, I am nearly over-satiated.  My brain hearts with all of the amazing things I've seen.  My heart is full of wonder and my curiosity quotient is brimming.  But I can see that I've left the tower and am now heading down.  Down toward some exit and a chance to rest and reflect...

But no.  What is this?  I'm suddenly in a room that is the shape of a race track and nearly as large.  On all sides I am invited to look down into an oval aquarium, and then tempted to descend further on a slanted walkway down the middle.  What is this place?  I am almost too tired of wonder to care.

It is the three level (13 foot) deep Atlantic Reef Aquarium that encircles my route out.  335,000 gallons of salt water and nearly 1,000 inhabitants who present on ever side of me and challenge my senses and my sense of wonder all over again.  Pity it is so dark, and I am such a bad photographer, but I trust you will still get the basic idea of the place.

National Aquarium: Poison Dart Frog Habitats

When you leave the Tropical Rain Forest ecosystem, you enter a relatively small gallery where several displays of Poison Dart Frogs and adjacent species are kept.  Another passion of mine.  I am always keen to experience these delicate and venomous animals wherever I can.  Two especially grand venues would include: 1) The Smithsonian National Zoo's Amazonia House--very much in line with the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit here, and an entire set of rooms with many exhibits of Poison Dart Frogs below, and 2) The Denver Zoo's Tropical Discovery House, where under a faux grass thatched cabana, you can see 8 or so species in one dedicated area.

In these photos you will see: Panamanian Golden Poison Dart (PD) Frogs (extinct in the wild), Blue PD Frogs, Dyeing PD Frogs, Splash-back PD Frogs, Green and Black PD Frogs, Golden PD Frogs (which look pale green...), Bumble Bee PD Frogs, Strawberry PD Frogs, and others I didn't get the names of...also there is a love Emerald Boa Constrictor in one of the habitats, too!

National Aquarium: Upland Tropical Rain Forest

The Amazon River Forest is the perfect prelude to riding the escalator to the rooftop Upland Tropical Rain Forest. It's another amazing ecosystem with a dozen species of free flying birds, Golden Lion Tamarins, Linne's Two-toed Sloths, Lizards, Turtles, even Tarantulas!

As wonderful as the fauna is, so is the flora.  It's yet another immersive encounter with wildlife.  As this point, I was practically ready to split my skin with all the wonders I had seen.  And there are still amazing things to come.

Notice the cocao pod (origin of chocolate).  A good simulated jungle doesn't show you things, but lets you discover them.

Can you see what I see?

It's the Linne's Two-toed Sloths.  Mother, Ivy and offspring Felize.

Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot

Amazon Turtle enjoying the warmth of a well placed and concealed heat lamp.  Too bad they couldn't disguise the green glow.

National Aquarium: Amazon Rain Forest

The next area is called the Amazon River Forest and I LOVED IT!  A series of Amazon River cut away tanks with both jungle and rich aqua life.  White-Blotched River Stingrays, iridescent Discus fish, enormous Red-bellied Piranhas, Redtail Catfish, Giant South American River Turtles, Silver Arowana, and many more!

The exhibits take you further further back into the wilds of the Amazon Rain Forest up into freshwater springs and Poison Dart Frogs.  I could have spent an hour in this section alone.

Can you find the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog?

National Aquarium: Survival Through Adaptation

The presentation of species that survive by "lurking".  You can see the fish swimming around, but you probably don't see the ones floating perfectly still.  It's a shame, but it's still a love ecosystem.

National Aquarium: An Aquarium from Living Seashores

National Aquarium: Living Seashore and Surviving Through Adaptation

Up to the next level and you have two exhibits.  The first one you enter is the Living Seashore which provides opportunities for visitors to touch a range of live animals from starfish, rays and conchs to jelly fish.

The next exhibition is about animal adaptations: Surviving Through Adaptations.  I was disappointed here because two of the advertised species where closed completely and no en casa: the Pacific Octopus and the Peacock Mantis Shrimp.  I really think that when habitats like these are shutdown, the website should reflect this.  It's not like there still isn't a lot to see.

National Aquarium: Maryland - Mountains to the Sea

Going up to the next level and you enter an exhibit that traces a series of habitats across the state of Maryland.  It starts with an Alleghany Mountain stream and ends with a reef on the Atlantic Ocean shelf.  There is an additional theme about water conservation.

 The first ecosystem was the mountain stream with lots of live vegetation and a pair of sleepy turtles.  Look closely.

 The Salt Water Marsh at low tide.  Beautiful.

 The Atlantic Beach with fewer fish and at times, I'm guessing crabs.