Aquarium of the Americas

On most Saturday mornings if you visit the aquarium, I will greet you in this manner as you walk through the Caribbean Tunnel.

I have been a volunteer diver with the aquarium since 1998. I took a short break after Hurricane Katrina visited New Orleans, because of logistical problems associated with working and commuting from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. I've recently returned after an 1.5 year hiatus I am happy to be back and retirement has enabled me to handle my volunteer duties with diligence.

There is great personal joy associated with the smiling faces of the visitors to the facility. My greatest satisfaction comes as I observe the joy on the faces of the children. Although there is a large Plexiglas window between the divers and the visitors, communication is easier than speaking via vocal expression.

There is a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction associated with this task that I hope to do this forever.

Aquarium of the Americas

These animals live in colonies on the reef and they generally face the current as it flows over their body.
These fish create a distinct sounding grunt when observed in their habitat. The odd looking system on the lower right of this photo image is a sound recording device provided for the benefit of visitors to the aquarium to listen to their distinct grunt.

Aquarium of the Americas

These little guys are not common to the Caribbean basin. They are common to the waters of the Pacific realm. A common name has been given to these animals such as clown fish. The stripes and funny appearance may provide some clue to that misnomer.

They are more appropriately called anemone fish. They live in a symbiotic relationship with the warm water anemone.

American of the Americas

This collection of delicate animals are very special within an eco-system. It's very important to realize that among other functions of these animals, they are excellent indicators of a well balanced and functional eco-system. If a reef system is void of this organisms, it is safe to say that something is outside of balance for that system. This is particularly true of Caribbean and Pacific bio-diversities.

American of the Americas

The aquarium has a collection of warm water predators on display. These animals are typical of predatory life on a Caribbean Reef. They include...bonnet head sharks,barracuda,and the common Caribbean reef shark.

America of the Americas

Some of the exhibits inside the aquarium are cold climate exhibits. This particular exhibit demonstrates life in this manner.
This exhibit is of a class of penguin known as the African Rock Hopper.

Aquarium of The Americas

The Gulf of Mexico is represented in the Aquarium of the Americas as a bio diverse demonstration of life. It's purpose is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a responsible industrial initiative in combination with natures ability to survive. Throughout the Gulf, there are oil and gas drilling platforms that are required for our energy consumption throughout the USA.

The Gulf Exhibit is a replication of a drilling platform. The aquarium has assembled a sampling of some of the life that divers and fisherman encounter when visiting the platforms of the Gulf of Mexico.

Some of the life divers and fisherman encounter are on display in this exhibit. The animal life includes...Jacks,turtles,redfish,sand tiger sharks,nurse sharks,stingrays,and tarpon.

The Travel Trailer

Many riders spend the weekend associated with this type affair. In order that one insures preparation properly facilitated, the travel trailer is the mode of choice. The travel trailer also provides one with the ability to rest in comfort during a long weekend.

Pre-Ride Socializing

This is a giant party for sure, however, there are no restrictions as to when you may begin socializing. These families come early and enjoy cookouts and other forms of acceptable social behavior prior to the ride.

By the time the ride finally gets under way, most riders are well primed as a result of the early arrivals.

Saddled and Ready

After the animals are delivered to the area for riding via horse trailer, they are saddled for riding and the rest is all fun.