Life with Dylan

Category: Aquarium

  • 5 Simple Ways to Help Your Local Zoo or Aquarium

    Spending the day at your local zoo or aquarium is a wonderful way to learn more about animals and the conservation efforts being made to ensure these animals are around for future generations. No matter how often you visit the animals, there is always something new to learn about them. Zoos and aquariums have so much to offer –  listening to fascinating keeper talks, seeing a new fact on an exhibit sign, or reading about progress made on a conservation issue.

    Most zoos and aquariums are non-profit organizations and depend on us, the general public, to keep the doors open. Everything we purchase, whether it be admission tickets, food, or a stuffed animal, is helping to give the animals the best care possible. There are so many ways that you can make a difference and help, but not everyone knows how or where to start. 
    Here are few simple things you can do to help your local zoo or aquarium:
    1. Get a membership. Instead of just buying a ticket for the day, why not buy a ticket for the entire year? Annual memberships are often the lifeblood of these organizations. If animal conservation is something you feel strongly about, why not upgrade from the basic membership? Check with your local zoo or aquarium and see what types of membership options are available. 
    2. Adopt an animal. Most animal adoptions start at only $25 and make great gifts for birthdays and holidays. Animal adoption can be done through the mail, or from my experience, many offer digital adoption certificates. This makes it very convenient when adopting an animal for someone who lives out of the area. 
    3. Give your change. That’s right, give away all those loose coins that get lost in the bottom of your purse. You would be amazed at how fast those add up and every little bit helps! Next time you visit, look around for a donation spot by the exit or near your favorite animal exhibit.
    4. Support them online. Nine times out of ten, your favorite zoo or aquarium is on social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumbler … do a search and start following them, spread the word. Sharing a post or a picture goes a long way. You probably aren’t the only one who thinks that baby panda is adorable!
    5. Think globally. Many zoos and aquariums are a small piece in a very big puzzle working together to end extinction. Do your research and check out their website. I bet your local zoo or aquarium is affiliated with a much larger global organization that could use your help too. For example, the Tiger Conservation Campaign was started by the Minnesota Zoo, but is supported by many other zoos.   
    Whatever you decide to do, know that you are making a difference for the animals. 

  • Our first family bucket list

    After what seems like months of talking about it, we have finally created our family bucket list. Not just what we want to do for the summer or this year even – we went bigger than that. Our bucket list is a big one with far off places and dreams bigger than big for a 9-year-old. Some have been on my unwritten bucket list for years.

    Rather than confine our family bucket list to a single post, I decided to give it a page all of its own. A bucket list page that will remind us of our dreams and places we want to go. A page that we can track and cross thing off the list as we go.

    Take a look at our Family Bucket List page …
    and come back often to see if we have crossed anything off the list.

  • Wordless Wednesday – Magnificent Jellies

    The tentacles on these jellyfish reminds me of silly string.

     Photos taken on a recent trip to Aquarium of the Pacific.

  • Aquarium of the Pacific welcomes new babies

    To some people springtime means flowers and butterflies, but to many in the animal world it means small bundles of joy. Adorable babies that make me squeal with delight and probably share way too many pictures on Facebook and twitter – but I can’t help it – they are too cute!

    In the last month, Aquarium of the Pacific announced the arrival of two new family members. I’m not sure who is cuter, the Sea Otter or the Harbor Seal.

    This baby sea otter was found separated from her mother in Northern California and brought to Aquarium of the Pacific in early March. Once she is big enough and strong enough, she will be placed in the exhibit with the other rescued otters. She has been named Betty, after Betty White, in honor of the long time support White has shown for the aquarium and all animals.  

                Photo courtesy of Robin Riggs, Aquarium of the Pacific


    Now I must admit that I am partial to this little harbor seal pup. She was born to Shelby, a long time resident of the Aquarium, on April 26, 2012. This picture captures a very loving moment between mother and child and I just adore it. Shelby is a first time mom, so Aquarium marine mammal experts are monitoring them both.

            Photo courtesy of Terri Haines, Aquarium of the Pacific

    Both pups will remain behind the scenes for a few months to insure good health and allow time for bonding – but I’m sure the Aquarium staff will continue to post pictures on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram to keep us all updated on the progress.

    Rescuing marine mammals and other ocean animals is something I feel strongly about, which is why I am a huge supporter of Aquarium of the Pacific. Besides being a wonderful place to spend the day, the Aquarium has great exhibits that educate people and believes in protecting and conserving our oceans for future generations. As a non-profit organization, the Aquarium relies solely on donations and annual memberships.

    I’m looking forward to seeing these little pups when they make they debut and watching them grow. Are you a member of Aquarium of the Pacific?

  • My fascination with jellyfish continues …

    I’m not sure when it started, but I have become obsessed with jellyfish when we visit aquariums.

    Aquarium of the Pacific – 2006

    Monterey Bay Aquarium – 2011

    Aquarium of the Pacific – 2012

    I especially love watching the jellyfish dance. So much that I made a video from a recent trip to Aquarium of the Pacific.

  • Aquarium of the Pacific Visit and Giveaway!

    Earlier this week Dylan and I were invited to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California as part of the aquariums first Mommy Blogger Event. The doors opened an hour early for this event and we were provided a lovely continental breakfast before touring the aquarium.


    We had the opportunity to meet the staff, learn about some great programs and events offered, and best of all enjoy the aquarium before it opened to the public. Knowing how much we both love the ocean, I knew this was going to be another wonderful day. One sure to make memories for both of us. If you have a child who loves the ocean half as much as Dylan does, you need to make a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

    Any day he can touch an animal is a great day in his book!

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  • ENC Summer Nature Camp

    Dylan recently finished a 2 week summer camp at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) and he had a blast! This was his second year attending the ENC’s Summer Nature Camp and I know he will do it again next year. The ENC offers four different 2-week sessions and if Dylan had his way he would be attending all of them. Lori Whalen is the Director of Education and she is the best!

    Photo courtesy of ENC

    The camp is from 9 am – 1 pm and the ENC also offers an after camp program that goes until 3 pm. Crafts, nature, and all things environmental … basically, all things Dylan!

    This year he went to Session 2: Under the Sea and learned all about marine mammals, sharks, fish, and everything that lives in and around the sea.

    Photo courtesy of ENC
    Dylan even got to go on a  field trip to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
    Photo courtesy of ENC

    Photo courtesy of ENC

    Photo courtesy of ENC

    One of his favorite activities was making his very own ocean in a jar

    And of course buying rocks from the ENC store.

    My favorite thing he did was carve is own Orca with a chisel after learning about the Legend of the Orca.

    If you live in the Newport Beach area, I highly recommend going to the ENC. The Summer Nature Camps are amazing and they offer all kinds of family events throughout the year. ENC also offers School Programs, Scouting Programs, Birthday Parties, and Monthly Events.

    Be sure to check out the ENC website for a listing of this months activities … There really is something for everyone!

    ENC is located at 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663