Tennessee Aquarium Blog

Groundhog Day Forecast by Chattanooga Chuck

2012-02-02T10:00:00.003-05:00

Chattanooga Chuck, the Tennessee Aquarium's groundhog, searched for, but did not find his shadow today. So it looks like an early spring for the Tennessee Valley.

In a wonderful world of groundhogs, Chuck does not stand alone however. Read how his Storm Team of Animal Forecasters helped with his 2012 prediction.

Chattanooga Chuck's Groundhog Day 2012 Forecast from the Tennessee Aquarium

Predicting weather is easy, or so it would seem.
If you have all of the tools and a great weather team.

So through the Aquarium buildings I wandered about,
stopping by the Cove Forest to see Brooke Trout.

Folklore says fish feed like crazy, acting slightly deranged,
whenever storms approach and the barometer's changed.

"I don't have time to chat, I'm sorry to say,"
Brooke said as she jumped and then swam away.

Could a change in the weather be the big reason,
Brooke wouldn't discuss the upcoming season?

Terry Treefrog was seen singing with a bunch of his friends.
That means wetter weather ahead - or so the folklore portends.

Hoping for sunshine, I sought an amphibian exemption.
It's Leap Year...so perhaps this chorus is a deception.

To get a weather leg up, I searched a little wider.
And quickly met up with my old pal the spider.

Harry Tarantula is part thermometer and an eight-legged anemometer.
He can sense air currents and humidity, just like a hygrometer.

He explained his forecast as he scurried away,
Folklore states, "More rain is coming when I crawl by day."

Larry Lobster seemed happy when I stopped by his tank.
Consulting crustaceans are helpful, if I can be frank.

He said, “The seawater is swell,” as he raised up his claws,
"And if you don't believe me, why don't you go ask Jaws."

I knew he was kidding with his snappy remark,
so I moved along to check with Sandie the Shark.

She mentioned to me with a big, toothy smile,
"I wouldn't forecast snowflakes here for quite awhile."

I headed back to my stump with all this advice,
other friends were around to sort through it twice.

Helping me forecast in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari,
are creatures like lizards, parrots and a green aracari.

Even with my Storm Team of Forecasting Friends,
I felt something missing right at the end.

I realized what was gone when I looked below.
My mirror image was absent - No shadow!

So with a couple of brief exceptions, it's more of the same thing,
Repeated rounds of wet weather and feeling like spring!

Visit the Tennessee Aquarium to meet Chattanooga Chuck’s Storm Team of Animal Friends.

College students can take advantage of a special half-price offer throughout February.
“College Days” discount details available at: http://www.tnaqua.org/PlanYourVisit/CollegeDays.aspx

Groundhog Day at the Tennessee Aquarium

2012-01-31T08:37:00.001-05:00

The following post was contributed by Chattanooga Chuck, the Tennessee Aquarium's lead long-range forecaster. Chuck lives in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari and enjoys spending time greeting Aquarium guests and mingling with the other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, butterflies and fish that live in River Journey and Ocean Journey.

I'm just coming out of hibernation right now, so imagine my surprise when Susie Grant, a senior educator at the Aquarium, said we were going to take a trip to Atlanta, GA. "Have yams will travel," I thought. I never imagined I would be visiting the CNN studios. The ride didn't seem very long. I had a chance to doze a little on the way. A couple of my pals joined me. Blinky, the screech owl and Harry the tarantula. Many folks don't know it, but groundhogs like me aren't the only animals that have weather predicting prowess. That is, if you believe the folklore.

We got to meet CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras and CNN national correspondent / anchor Gary Tuchman. They're probably two of the nicest people you'll ever meet. It was pretty cool hanging out with them. We even had tour groups stopping by to peek in through the windows to wave and say hello.

You can watch the interview here. Fun animal facts and weather history. I might have paid attention while I was on the set, but Susie kept handing me kale, yams and bananas. So, after sleeping most of the day before, I was ready for chow.

Good thing I have a laptop. (Don't tell anyone....but sometimes when the weather is nice I spend time watching the Aquarium's YouTube channel.)

Since Jacqui interviewed me, I asked if I could interview her. She graciously agreed. I'll admit, I'm no Mike Wallace. But I think you'll see that I'm one marmot who's not afraid to ask the tough questions.

Chuck: What’s the best thing about being a meteorologist for CNN?

Jeras: The best thing about being a meteorologist at CNN is that I get to talk about weather all over the country and the world, not just in one city or state. There is always extreme weather happening somewhere and it makes my job fun, exciting, and challenging every day.

Chuck: I always have trouble deciding my favorite season. Sometimes I'd like to have a little more winter, other times I think it would be nice to have an early spring. What’s your favorite season?

Jeras: My favorite season is fall. I love the outdoors and there is nothing better than a good bike ride, hike or run in the crisp fall air, looking at the changing leaf colors.

Chuck: Any memorable weather events you’ve covered?

Jeras: I’ve covered many memorable weather events in the 12 years I have worked at CNN. Some most notably, The EF5 tornado in Joplin, MO, Hurricane Katrina, and of course, the Groundhog Day Blizzard last year.

Chuck: I like yams. What’s your favorite vegetable?

Jeras: My favorite vegetable is asparagus. I also LOVE sweet corn in the summer, but I think that is technically a grain.

Chuck: Final question. Who’s a better meteorologist – You or Reynolds Wolf?

Jeras: Me or Reynolds?! Unfair question. Everyone I work with at CNN in the weather department is awesome. We all have our own strengths. We’re like a family. Reynolds always makes me laugh. He’s great! Plus, I’m darn sure we’re all better meteorologists than any rodent I might know… sorry Chuck

Oh well. You can learn about the Tennessee Aquarium's Storm Team of Animal Forecasters here and see which creatures actually do respond to weather changes to give us clues about what may be ahead.

New birds: An Elegant Egret & A Dashing Duck

2012-01-25T12:13:00.000-05:00

Two new birds are waiting to greet Tennessee Aquarium guests. A beautiful snowy egret can be seen in the Delta Swamp exhibit. According to Kevin Calhoon, the Aquarium's assistant curator of forests, this bird species tends to be very calm, cool and collected. "We are excited to have this bird which is probably the most laid back, elegant and graceful of the North American herons and egrets," said Calhoon. This particular snowy egret might be glad to be alive. It was donated to the Aquarium by Sea World of Orlando. It had a severe right wing injury when it was first discovered. Veterinarians had to amputate that wing due to the severity of the injuries. Today this bird is doing great, but could not be reintroduced to the wild without the ability to fly. In the wild, snowy egrets stand out from the crowd with their black legs and bright yellow feet. They can also be quite vocal when defending their territory. You can hear this vocalization on the Cornell Lab or Ornithology web site.

After visiting the snowy egret in the Delta Swamp, look for another marvelous bird in the Rivers of the World Gallery. A new male Mandarin duck can be viewed in the Nishikigoi exhibit. He's a striking bird with stunning plumage. Calhoon says this duck came from a waterfowl breeder and was hatched last spring. Which means he's young and full of energy.

He can be seen with a female Mandarin duck who has been at the Tennessee Aquarium since 2004. "She is around eight years old," said Calhoon. "But she seems to be holding her own with the sudden appearance of this dashing young male."

If you'd like to hear a Mandarin duck vocalizing, check out this audio clip on the BBC Nature website.

We invite you to slow down on your next visit to do a little bird watching at the Tennessee Aquarium. Bring your binoculars to view 50 native songbirds in the Cove Forest exhibit - like scarlet tanagers.

Then get up close to additional birds throughout both River Journey and Ocean Journey. We also offer some entertaining and educational bird shows throughout the day in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari.

And of course, you want to spend plenty of time with our penguins!

Tennessee Aquarium Octopus to be Featured on Nat Geo Wild

2012-01-13T11:43:00.001-05:00

It was, "Lights, camera and action!" at the Tennessee Aquarium this morning. Medusa, a giant Pacific octopus, was being moved from the quarantine room in the River Journey building to her new home in the Boneless Beauties gallery in Ocean Journey.

Medusa will soon star in an episode of a new series that is scheduled to run on National Geographic Wild. A production team from Sharp Entertainment was in Chattanooga for two days working on this program.

Giant Pacific octopus are really amazing animals that Aquarium guests truly enjoy. Although some visitors might initially think these creatures are kind of creepy, their impressions quickly change after talking to our animal experts or docents. Once guests discover that cephalopods are very intelligent, and begin to understand their unique adaptations, they usually walk away big octopus fans. Now, they'll have a "TV Star" to get excited about.

While we don't yet know when Medusa will be seen on Nat Geo Wild, you can keep an eye on their program schedule this spring - the earliest time this episode might air. But we'll also try to keep you updated through our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and of course here in our blog.

While Medusa, and the Aquarium's other giant Pacific octopus Minerva, won't be signing any autographs, you may see them manipulating jars filled with crab or fish. You might also see them playing with a Mr. Potatohead or other enrichment item.

Until Medusa's world premiere, enjoy this short video clip of a truly wonderful animal - the giant Pacific octopus.

Penguin Parties at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-12-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

Ever bump flippers with a penguin? This little guy above got a big kick out of giving our gentoo penguin character a high five to start the day. Families are having a ball at the Tennessee Aquarium during our daily "Party with the Penguins" events. Now through January 8th, you can meet one of our costumed characters, learn more about gentoo and macaroni penguins and then tap your toes at the IMAX 3D Theater when "Happy Feet Two" hits the giant six-story screen.

Shivers, the Aquarium's youngest gentoo shown above, seems to think the giant penguin looks like her.

Kids can make flipper bands to match "Shivers," or their favorite penguin, and make some penguin feet to wear around the Aquarium.

Inside the penguin gallery, keepers have some special enrichment activities planned for the birds that our guests will enjoy seeing. When senior aviculturist Amy Graves asked visitors, "What is enrichment?" A little girl answered quickly, "Toys!" Amy explained that while that's correct, enrichment activities are not just toys for the animals. Enrichment includes visual, tactile (touch) or tasty activities. "We try to offer the penguins a variety of fun things that help stimulate the penguins mentally and physically," said Graves. "This could be offering them the choice to play with extra ice brought into the exhibit, which Nipper loves. Today he was trying to build a nest out of ice cubes. Or, it could be blowing bubbles."

Blowing bubbles? You bet! In the image above, Amanda Pippen keeps a steady stream of bubbles floating through the exhibit while Graves explains the activity to visitors. "Pepper is all about the bubbles today," Graves said. "She loves hopping around and popping bubbles with her beak. And she even went straight to Amanda to pop the first bubbles to appear." Graves explained that anything breaking up the day for the birds is fun and exciting. "Even if they don't chase the bubbles like Pepper, many of the birds seem to enjoy watching them."

Shivers, seen above, was one of the penguins that seemed to enjoy watching the bubbles. Graves said like puppy dogs, not all penguins choose to play "fetch." While Pepper was more active and engaged, Shivers chose to watch and enjoy.

While bubbles might not be a big hit with all of the penguins, there is one enrichment activity they ALL love - chasing smelt. "Smelt is their all-time favorite food, so we broadcast or toss the fish into the water," said Graves. "The birds dive in and swim fast for their favorite fish, simulating how they would feast in the wild. It's a great opportunity for guests to see how the penguins use their flippers and feet to quickly change directions to chase down a tasty treat."

See how macaws and otters enjoy special holiday enrichment items:

Enjoy all of the Penguin Party fun at the Aquarium offered each day at 10 am through January 8th, then head next door to see Happy Feet Two at IMAX.

You'll have plenty of time to enjoy both Aquarium buildings and the movie with your combo tickets.

Setting foot on the Antarctic Continent

2011-12-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 16th, 2011

We awoke this morning to another rainy day. Expedition leader Larry Hobbs, who has been coming to Antarctica for more than 25 years, has never seen two consecutive days of rainy weather in Antarctica before. “It’s another sign of how rapidly things are changing in this part of the world,” Hobbs said.

In spite of the light showers, we had a wonderful time at our first stop in Neko Harbor. When you are dressed properly, the weather is taken out of the equation. We were welcomed ashore as we set foot on the Antarctic Continent for the first time. (All of our other landings were on islands to this point.) For some passengers, this was the milestone “Seventh Continent.” Others were able to say they had gotten the most difficult journey out of the way first, hoping to eventually travel to the remaining continents on their life lists.

Another gentoo rookery is located at this landing site and we enjoyed the antics of these birds from several different vantage points. Some birds were incubating eggs and aggressively defending their nests from rock-stealing neighbors while others were busy keeping an eye out for marauding skuas. It was especially fun to watch the penguins at this location bathing in the clear waters near the shoreline. They would clean their feathers and splash around before zooming away underwater for their morning meal of krill.

Several huge, blue blocks of ice across the harbor appeared as if they break loose at any time. Our guides asked us to stay away from the beachfront in case that happened. If it would have, a sizable tidal wave would have been generated that could have had bad consequences. So when a large cracking sound was heard, virtually everyone looked across the harbor. Higher up, a pretty big piece of snow and ice was cascading down the jagged mountain face. From a distance it didn’t look like much, but I’m almost certain that tons of snow and ice were involved in that small avalanche. I got video of that crash and one that followed about a half hour later.

Off in the distance some porpoising gentoos caught my eye. They were zigzagging in an attempt to escape a leopard seal. The action was moving a bit to rapidly to capture on camera, but it was interesting to watch. It’s a little too early for leopard seals to be hunting penguins. They have better luck a bit later in the breeding season when juvenile penguins are learning to swim.

Later in the morning we set sail for Paradise Bay, a short cut the captain was hoping to use was blocked by a huge tabular ice berg and the entrance to the passage appeared to be choked with ice. So we took “the scenic route.” Whenever the sun would break through the clouds, you were treated to truly unimaginable sights. (You begin to run out of superlatives for Antarctica pretty quickly.)

We spent more than one hour slowly easing up on tabular ice bergs, getting close to sea birds and slipping through the so called “grease ice” that was forming in the bay. Even though we didn’t get to shore one last time, this excursion felt like we were traveling inside a giant snow globe that had just been shaken vigorously and set down to be admired.

Every evening we enjoy an expedition recap, learning more about what we had experienced and what the next day would bring. During this evening’s recap, the captain took the stage to give us a weather briefing. He was able to make us all laugh about the challenges we were about to face as we re-enter the Drake Passage. The weather system that had been responsible for our wet and snowy conditions today was passing by us to the North. We were going to experience some rough seas as we ventured out into open water.

After the briefing adjourned, everyone headed to their rooms to lash things down before taking the captain’s advice and eating a quick meal. Shortly after dinner the winds started raging, peaking at 74 knots – the lower threshold for hurricane force winds. The seas were pretty choppy as we watched the waves breaking over the bow. Occasionally the spray would cover the windows of our perch inside the observation lounge on the 6^th deck.

We had two days of “Lake Drake” on the way to Antarctica, now we got a few hours of what it’s normally like in the Southern Ocean. And a couple of the boat’s crew members said this storm paled in comparison to what they have seen before. I spent some time videotaping the action without experiencing seasickness, so I suppose I have officially earned my sea legs.

Tomorrow’s weather is expected to be more calm. We have a few more adventures on board before packing our bags for port and the lengthy flights back home.

Gentoo-Fest in Antarctica!

2011-12-19T09:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Internet connectivity is touch and go when you are trying to send something from the southern most continent on Earth. These are blogs from Wednesday and Thursday of last week. More to come soon!

Wednesday, December 14^th, 2011

We are greeted early each morning by the voice of expedition leader Larry Hobbs over the ship’s public address system saying, “Good morning everyone, it’s another beautiful day in Antarctica!” Not only was the day beautiful, we marked the 100^th Anniversary of the Roald Amundsen Party reaching the South Pole today.

Our group geared up early for a Zodiac tour of the bay around Enterprise Island. According to the expedition notes, the island got its name to commemorate the “enterprising success” of whalers operating in the area. This location was a major center of the industry from 1916 to 1930. One of the vessels operating in the waters around Enterprise Island was the whaling ship, “Gouvernoren” that caught fire and sunk around 1915. Today that ship is great habitat for nesting Antarctic terns. We were afforded many great birding opportunities including a few Chinstrap penguins.

Enterprise Island Gouvernoren wreck

Antarctic Tern

Chinstrap penguins

After a chance to recharge our batteries, both literally and figuratively, we headed out again at Cuverville Island – home to thousands of breeding pairs of gentoo penguins. These guys are every bit as entertaining to observe as the gentoos at the Tennessee Aquarium. Two noticeable differences: Many of the gentoos on Cuverville are covered in filth. The nesting sites are pretty muddy, but the birds seem quite content when they are not defending their nests from egg-stealing skuas. Several were seen flying off with stolen eggs to a raucous cacophony of calling by upset gentoos. Rocks were being carried around by many of the penguins and I even saw a few carrying small sticks, bits of moss and a few small blades of grass.

Gentoo Rookery- Cuverville Island

Gentoo penguins!

The snow was slushy as we hiked up the rugged hillside above the main rookery. We had fun sliding down the hill, but apparently the penguins prefer walking downhill rather than tobogganing down the slopes on their bellies.

Thursday, December 15^th, 2011

Visiting Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Station

There was a patter of raindrops on my cabin window this morning. Through the light showers, I could see the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Station across Arthur Harbor from Le Boreal. Rain in Antarctica – yet another face of the “White Continent” we are seeing at the bottom of the Earth. Rainfall is becoming more and more common in this part of the Antarctic Peninsula. And it is one of the many things scientists are studying at Palmer Station.

We began our day with a Zodiac tour of the harbor, cruising through “brash ice” before spotting southern elephant seals, one of the six species of seals that live in the southern ocean. These guys are giants, sometimes reaching five tons in weight. Most of the elephant seals we saw this morning were juveniles, lacking the trunk-like noses of the mature males. These elephant seals were molting, or replacing their fur. They are amazing animals to observe, even though they don’t move much once on land. In spite of their size, most elephant seals are rather shy and docile.

Elephant Seals

Did you know that a 10,000 pound elephant seal is not the largest Antarctic animal? If not, what is?

Senior educator Julia Gregory and the kids who are part of The Tennessee Aquarium’s Bug Club: http://www.tnaqua.org/Education/BugClub.aspx will be interested to know the answer.

It’s a trick question, because the answer is an insect called the wingless midge, which grows to a whopping three millimeters in length. This insect lives its entire life cycle on land, so it can be considered Antarctica’s largest animal. Entomologists have been coming to Palmer Research Station to study these amazingly hearty larvae for quite awhile now. They want to better understand how these creatures can survive being frozen, almost completely dehydrated and how they can be deprived of oxygen for long periods of time without perishing.

We also saw an Adelie penguin colony along with a few chinstraps and some gentoos. Researchers at Palmer Station have been tracking a rather rapid decline in the Adelie populations in the past several years. This is caused partially by the rainy weather that occurs as eggs are being incubated or when the chicks begin to emerge. Ideally the eggs and young would experience cold and mainly dry weather, but warmer and wetter conditions have been happening with more frequency. Gentoos are also moving farther south into the Antarctic Peninsula.

Everyone aboard this Abercrombie & Kent expedition had a portion of their cruise cost set aside to purchase a piece of scientific equipment for the researchers at Palmer. This year’s gift was handed over to them aboard Le Boreal.

It was an international affair, as Dr. McClintock invited one passenger from each of the twelve nations aboard this cruise, to join him on stage to present this new tool to the scientists.

Tour of Palmer Research Station

We toured the research station, including their Aquarium. Unfortunately, the researchers that will be collecting and studying sea creatures will not arrive until sometime in January so we were not able to get up close and personal to ice fish or sea stars. The staff met us for brownies and coffee at the end of the tour and answered all of our questions before we returned to our floating home away from home.

Our weather luck runs out – Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011-12-15T12:57:00.000-05:00

Last night a lenticular cloud was spotted from the stern of our ship. Lenticulars are special types of clouds produced as a standing wave as strong winds aloft move over mountain areas. Usually some bad weather can be expected within 24 hours.

So before bed, I enjoyed another Midnight sunset and caught another pack of Adelies heading off on their own private little iceberg.

Both landings were cancelled today. Apparently, our weather luck ran out on December 13^th. The winds were tropical storm force, sustained between 38 and 54 miles per hour. Occasionally it would snow, so technically we were in a full-blown Antarctic blizzard. By the time we reached Neptune’s Bellows at Deception Island, it was too dicey to attempt taking Le Boreal through the narrow (and shallow) entrance into the caldera of this volcanic island. As a result, we weren’t able to make our polar plunge. (A swim had been planned at Deception for those willing to brave the water.)

During the evening we had a pleasant conversation with the Captain of Le Boreal. Marty Tuck, who is part of the Aquarium group, told us about his Grandmother who survived the sinking of the Titanic. She was eight years old at the time and remembered her experience very vividly. On the date that oceanographer Bob Ballard found the wreckage, he called all of the survivors before making the announcement to the media. Marty said his grandmother never spoke much about the experience, except for a few radio shows on a Detroit radio station that would invite Ballard on the air at the same time. (As a side note, Ballard will be at the Tennessee Aquarium in February as part of our NOAA supported Blue Planet speaker series. )

The Captain shared his story of dealing with pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2008. He was able to keep his cool with machine gun toting men who at times argued amongst themselves. His bravery stalled any violence to his crew and kept the pirates from escaping before they were rescued by the French Navy.

We saw the many weather faces of Antarctica today, from storm-tossed seas to a tranquil Midnight sunset. We’re wondering what tomorrow will bring on the 100^th anniversary of the South Pole being reached.

12/12/11- A very rare opportunity – Emperor Penguins!

2011-12-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

We had another incredible day today. Yesterday another ship had reported an opening in the pack ice in the Weddell Sea southeast of Le Boreal’s position, so the crew decided to take advantage of the opportunity and drop “plan A” in favor of the rare opportunity to explore the edge of the pack ice.

When we awoke, we were surrounded by a breathtaking scene. Pure white snow and blue-green ice spread out in all directions beneath a cobalt-blue sky. Even from the ship, we could see rather tall looking figures on the ice. They were Emperor penguins!

Expedition party on the edge of the pack ice

Many people know of Emperors from watching “March of the Penguins,” and understand the harsh conditions they endure during the winter night. We were fortunate to have Dr. Patricia Silva in our Zodiac as we approached the edge of the ice. She explained that there are about 200,000 breeding pairs distributed throughout nearly one dozen far-flung sites in Antarctica. All but two of these locations are located on the fast ice. Dr. Silva says these birds are in the process of fattening up, which is a bit hard to believe since the Emperors we saw were huge, but some can even larger reaching nearly 100 pounds. This feeding mode lasts until the breeding cycle begins in late March or early April, which is the beginning of winter around here.

Emporer penguin on pack ice

Emporer penguin with Adelie penguin in background

These fellows are massive birds standing more than three feet tall, making them the largest members of all 17 penguin species alive today. Some can tip the scales at around 100 pounds. Their stature combined with colorful plumage makes watching them a fun and exciting experience. I don’t think anyone thought we’d have a chance to see these beautiful animals.

While Emperors are the largest species of penguins on Earth today, there have been even bigger penguins in the past.

When paleontologist Dr. Julia Clarke was in Chattanooga a few years ago to help us launch “Dinosaurs Alive 3D” at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, she told me about her discoveries in South America.

Inkayacu paracasensis, was a species of penguin that grew to enormous proportions. Fossil records show that these birds were twice the size of Emperor penguins, reaching nearly six feet in height. Imagine seeing a colony of human-sized penguins! Aside from their shape and giant beaks, you might not have recognized these guys. They weren’t black and white. If you want to know more, here are three interesting links to explore:

New York Times: “Extinct Penguin Wore Earth Tones, Fossil Shows”: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/science/01penguin.html

EarthSky.com: “Penguin ancestors didn’t wear black and white” http://earthsky.org/biodiversity/penguin-ancestors-didnt-wear-black-and-white

And an interview with Dr. Julia Clarke:

http://www.outlookseries.com/A0999/Science/3970_Julia_Clarke_UT_Austin_Inkayacu_Paracasensis_Fossilized_Five_Foot_Penguin_Peru_Julia_Clarke.htm

Landing party on Paulet Island

From the Weddell Sea’s pack ice, we journeyed back northward toward Paulet Island. This extinct volcano is the home to more than 100,000 breeding pairs of Adelie penguins. As you might imagine, a colony that large produces a rather strong aroma and we could smell the island from across the channel aboard Le Boreal. It was a truly amazing experience to be surrounded by so many penguins. Many already had chicks while others were incubating their eggs and keeping petrels and skuas away from their nests. Like the Aquarium’s gentoos and macaronis, the Adelies of Paulet Island use rocks for nesting material. So it was very fun to watch them carrying rocks around the island. It was especially fun to watch these penguins popping in and out of the water. The sounds of courtship calls, squabbles and gentle honks was thrilling.

Adelie penguins on pack ice

There is also the remains of an old hut on the island which is the historic site of Dr. Otto Nordenskjold’s 1901-1904 Swedish Antarctic Expedition. This party added to the knowledge of Antarctica by collecting fossils while overwintering on nearby Snow Hill Island. Their story of survival and rescue on Paulet Island is simply amazing. Bob Burton, the Antarctic historian on board re-told this story on camera for me. I’ll try to post it online at a later date after returning home.

Today the Adelies have taken over the hut and I was able to capture some nice footage of one Adelie feeding a chick.

This morning, Tuesday December 13^th, the weather turned a bit fowl. We had planned to hike up to a chinstrap penguin rookery on Half Moon Island, but with 30 knot sustained winds and 40 to 50 knot gusts at the landing site, this landing was cancelled. (Maybe the date has something to do with our weather luck running out.) The A&K crew braved the elements to investigate the site, getting thoroughly soaked in the process going both directions. So we are now heading to Deception Island, another volcano that has been active in the relatively recent past. If the weather is not too rough, Le Boreal will navigate “Neptune’s Bellows,” the narrow entrance to the flooded caldera of the original volcano where winds blow in and out.

Crabeater seal napping on pack ice

Whales, Wows and Wonders

2011-12-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

The expedition got off to a big start when the captain of Le Boreal announced sighting humpback whales off the port side of the bow. We all grabbed our camera gear and headed forward. This was the first of several humpback whale pods we saw before finally leaving the Drake Passage.

Someone spotted some Adelie penguins porpoising near a small iceberg fragment. When I pointed my camera towards the blue piece of ice, it became obvious that the birds were fleeing an awesome predator – the leopard seal. It might be hard to estimate this particular animal’s total size based on this image, but these seals can reach 11 feet in length and weigh more than 1,100 pounds according to A&K marine biologist Charley Wheatley.

More whales brought us back to the ship’s bow later in the morning. I have never seen so many whales in one place. At one point there were three humpbacks swimming along side by side. Later a pair appeared right below us on the starboard side of the bow.

Right after breakfast, the first iceberg of the trip was sighted by an eight year old boy from Birmingham, Alabama. We were heading into what is known as “iceberg alley.” This shot illustrates how monstrously huge these blocks of ice truly are. (Especially when you consider two thirds of the iceberg is below the waterline.) These flat-topped icebergs are called tabular icebergs. These form when uniform layers of ice are laid down over long periods of time, and are unleashed when ice sheets break up. Fractures on ice sheets and glaciers are being watched by climate scientists very closely.

NASA’s Operation IceBridge recently discovered a major crack in the Pine Island Glacier which is located in western Antarctica. This crack is nearly 20 miles long and more than 150 feet deep. NASA researchers say the last time the Pine Island Glacier cut loose a significant iceberg was in 2001. View the “Watching the birth of an iceberg” video on the NASA Operation IceBridge website here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/icebridge/index.html

After lunch, we enjoyed a nice presentation about all 17 species of penguins. The A&K staff produces “enrichment” programs for the passengers of Le Boreal covering all aspects of Antarctic exploration; wildlife, geology, history and climate science. All directly relate to what we are going to be seeing in the next 24 hours.

Immediately after exiting the on board theater, naturalist and Zodiac driver Russ Manning was greeting people at the top of the stairs to direct people outside for our first amazing glimpses of Antarctica. The brightly lit frozen landscape was simply stunning. Until this very moment we had been traveling. Now the expedition could begin.

Tomorrow we will explore the edge of the pack ice in an area that the crew very rarely has a chance to see. We don’t know what we’ll find, or how many landings we will be able to make. But rest assured, it will be an adventure.

We stayed up late hoping to capture some “Alpine-Glow” shots of the majestic mountains and icebergs. Cloud cover prevented that, so we took penguin cocktail party pictures instead.

Every low-topped chunk of ice passing by the ship was examined for penguins. If any were hitching a ride, we would head out into the cold to capture shots of these guys floating along. All were Adelie penguins who had chosen the safety of relatively large pieces of ice to rest comfortably without fear of being eaten by leopard seals or orcas. In their “little tuxedos,” it appeared like they had simply gathered for a cocktail party aboard a ship.

A weekend of birding in the Drake Passage!

2011-12-12T10:04:00.000-05:00

Friday morning began early as we flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia adding roughly 1,000 miles to our southward progress. From the air, Tierra Del Fuego looks rugged and untamed with snow-capped mountains and a remarkable view of South America tapering to a point.

We were given a tour of Ushuaia and the southernmost end of Patagonia. On one side of the Beagle Channel you have views of jagged Argentine mountains and the city. The equally impressive mountains of Chile are directly opposite.

One of the highlights of the day was touring the Ushuaia Jail and Military Prison. Think of a cross between “Papillion” and “Alcatraz” and you get the picture. This prison was built by the prisoners who were brought to Ushuaia as “colonists.” There were also wings dedicated to Antarctic Exploration, Tierra Del Fuego’s maritime history and some exhibits related to penguins and other Antarctic critters.

I should mention that the weather was unreal for Ushuaia. Our naturalist said that temperatures near 70 with almost a full day of sun are very rare. We enjoyed these conditions along with the residents who were preparing to spend their holiday weekend outdoors with family hiking, fishing and camping. Our naturalist added, “They will also be participating in the national sport of bar-b-que.”

After boarding our ship, Le Boreal, the cruise got underway by late afternoon. The Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) introduced themselves at a special presentation in the ship’s theater. We are in great hands with a staff that collectively has more than 180 years of Antarctic experience. These experts, from fields ranging from ornithology to geology, will make sure we get the most out of our visit. Our first good tip was to watch for Megellanic penguins on a couple of islands in the Beagle Channel. These birds were spotted from a distance, standing on shore with one or two gentoos.

The boat became quiet rather quickly after watching the full moon rising over the Channel. Almost everyone was pretty exhausted after the first few lengthy, but fun days.

This morning there’s no land in sight and so far the famous Drake Passage is treating us well. We’re heading southeast at 14 knots in light seas. The sky is mostly cloudy and it’s now down to 45 degrees with a 10 mph wind. The t-shirts will be covered with several layers as we continue cruising toward Antarctica.

Saturday, December 10^th - Everyone has said that the sea conditions in the Drake Passage are either tranquil or a tempest with no middle ground. When it’s calm, sailors call the Passage “Drake Lake.”

The day began with some early morning bird watching on the stern of Le Boreal. Numerous pelagic birds could be seen soaring above the Le Boreal’s wake. I have been captivated by the amazing life cycle of the wandering albatross ever since reading Carl Safina’s book, “Eye of the Albatross.”

Wandering Albatross

A&K staff member Dr. Patricia Silva gave a fascinating presentation on the birds we are seeing, many that have the largest wingspans of any bird on earth. These pictures don’t do the albatross and petrel justice. Dr. Silva said radio telemetry devices have shown that these birds can travel more than 10,000 miles in a single outing that may last months or years. They are perfectly suited for maximizing the low level air currents above cresting waves. Albatrosses are simply stunning birds that are being threatened today by plastics in the ocean and longline fishing.

Another animal that scientists are learning about through the use of satellite tracking tags are orcas. Shortly before lunch the captain announced a pod of orcas was spotted behind the boat. He was giving everyone a chance to grab photo equipment while he brought the vessel back around for a closer look. Charley Wheatley, the on-board marine mammal expert, gave everyone an impromptu orca lesson while at least ten “killer whales” went about their business. This was said to be a very unusual sighting. Normally orcas are not seen this far north or this early in the season. Perhaps they were returning from a spa treatment.

According to a recent press release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, some Antarctic orcas have been tracked with satellite tags making rapid migrations to tropical waters. It’s believed this helps regenerate skin tissue. According to NOAA, one tagged orca took a vacation to southern Brazil, more than 5,000 miles away only to return directly to Antarctic waters a short time later. You can read more here:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2011/10/25_antractic_killer_whales_seek_spa_lke_relief.html

It’s now about 12:41 am and time for bed. Twilight outside the cabins of Le Boreal with a current reading of 38 degrees. Position: 60 degrees 15.93’ S, 61 degrees 23.83 W. By morning we’ll be seeing ice in the water. Bigger icebergs and islands later in the morning.

Planes, trains and automobiles...Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina

2011-12-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind. When I left Chattanooga, the temperature was 40 degrees, but local mountains were getting white with snow. Sure enough, the reading at Palmer Station was 41. “We’re colder than Antarctica again?” I thought to myself.

Once in Atlanta, I miscued on the train between terminals. But while backtracking from Concourse D to Concorse E, I was surprised to see a photo gallery of Antarctic images lining the hallway. Then, after boarding the flight from Atlanta to Buenos Aires, Argentina, I noticed that one of the in-flight movie choices was “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” I spent the first part of the ten-hour flight chuckling to the antics of gentoo penguins and thinking about Nipper, Shivers and the rest of the crew at Penguins’ Rock.

The flight was smooth and by sunrise, we were a little more than one hour from landing in Argentina right at 5,118 miles from Atlanta. The weather was sunny and warm with highs in the 80s. Our group toured the so-called “Paris of South America” for much of the afternoon.

December 8th is “Virgin Day,” a big Catholic holiday in Buenos Aires. Many of the city’s three million residents head out for a long weekend, along with a large portion of the 12 million or so residents living in the surrounding area. We were told that if you are not going on holiday, this is traditionally the day to put up the Christmas tree. We saw several public trees going up, along with scaffolding near the presidential offices. A big city event is planned for Saturday, when the Argentine President takes her oath of office.

The city is amazingly large and feels very European. On our tour of the city we saw countless historical figures cast in bronze along with a stunning amount of public art.

Even though the town felt rather empty to those in our group who arrived one day earlier and saw the typical hectic pace of this big city on a work day, many people could be seen enjoying green spaces throughout the city. Because of the warmth, one of the large city pools was already quite full on this early spring day. And everywhere we went we saw soccer being played, practiced or simply soccer balls being kicked around in this “football”-crazed country.

Our tour of the city wrapped up with an unusual, yet fascinating tour of the Recoleta Cemetery where Evita Peron and many others are laid to rest. The mausoleums are intricate tributes to family members that are built nearly on top of one another and laid out in a vast mini-city. It was quite a history lesson for everyone.

Tomorrow we’ll all meet in the hotel lobby at 4:00 am for a “grab-n-go” breakfast. We’ll head back to the Buenos Aires airport for the flight to Ushuaia – “The Southernmost City in the World.” We’ll have a short tour near the Fuegian Andes before boarding the ship bound for Antarctica.

Antarctic Weather History Lesson Everyone Should Know

2011-12-07T06:00:00.005-05:00

Departure day! I was very excited to see this NASA image of Antarctica online today. This unique view of the Antarctic Peninsula was taken from aboard the International Space Station. It zeroes in on the exact region we will be visiting. Deception Island is one of the locations we'll be setting foot on - hopefully with similar weather conditions as the astronauts captured in this amazing image. Learn more about NASA's Earth Observatory here: http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2105-astronauts-angled-view-antarctica.html

Antarctica's weather is extreme. The coldest reading on Earth was recorded at Vostok Research Station in 1983. An unimaginable reading of minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit was obtained by scientists. We have no concept of how cold that is.

My second oldest brother used to live in Fairbanks, Alaska where minus 40 or even minus 50 degrees was possible. I always wanted to visit once during the winter to see if the body can tell the difference between minus 20 and something 20 or more degrees colder.

Thanks to the work of two researchers, we are more knowledgeable about the impact of frigid temperatures.

The man in the image above is Charles F. Passel. You probably don't recognize the name, but you are very familiar with his work.

Passel was a team member on Admiral Byrd's third Antarctic expedition. The team left Boston Harbor on a steamer named the North Star on November 15th,1939. The 25 year old Passel signed onto the mission as geologist, his primary task during the next two years was to collect rock samples and map the geologic features in Antarctica.

With dogs and equipment on deck, the crew of the North Star headed south through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific to New Zealand and finally Antarctica. Their journey lasted more than two months.

Passel referred to this expedition as the last of the "romantic expeditions" as they relied on dog sleds and skis for most of their transportation during the nearly two years they lived on the Ross Ice Shelf.

Life was pretty harsh for these explorers. Passel noted that morning temperatures INSIDE would dip to around minus 15 degrees. One of their biggest fears was fire, so the men had to let any heating units go out overnight.

I became acquainted with Charles in 1989 while working as a meteorologist at KTXS-TV. We had a record cold snap that encompassed much of the United States. We were looking for additional stories for our coverage of this arctic outbreak when it was suggested that I go interview Charles Passel.

Passel had one other task while on the Byrd expedition: work on the "relative comfort index" with Paul Siple. During the winter night when the men were unable to perform studies away from Little America III, they were given other assignments. Passel and Siple performed more than 400 experiments with a water bottle, thermometer and stopwatch. They wanted to know how fast heat would be removed from an object under certain winds and temperatures. What they were tracking seems like a simple concept, yet until their work, no one had studied this effect since it was first discussed around 1850.

In addition to the water bottle experiments, Passel (seen on the left above) and Siple timed how long it took their faces to freeze under different conditions. Passel estimated they performed these frosty experiments about 100 times. They published their work several years later, mainly for government purposes. The military wanted to know how to protect soldiers in extreme weather conditions. The new "Wind Chill Index" served that purpose. Passel told me once that he had nearly forgotten about this work until a late night ride back to Texas from Louisiana. He was listening to WLS-AM when he heard the disc jockey talking about the Wind Chill Factor. "I knew he was talking about my work," said Passel.

Passel had a wonderful slide show of his time in Antarctica. Three projectors gave everyone the feeling they were actually aboard the North Star or mushing dogs across the frozen landscape. I had the privilege to see his presentation twice. During one program at the Abilene Public Library, Michael Young, the official in charge of the Abilene National Weather Service office, asked a staff member to turn down the air conditioning the night before. The next day the temperature was between 95 and 100 degrees, but inside the room it was about 30 degrees colder. We all felt like we were there with Charles.

My thanks to Charlotte Passel, Charles' daughter who pointed me in the direction of the Byrd Polar Research Center. Their family donated his original slides to the Goldthwait Polar Library.

Thanks also to Laura Kissel, the Polar Curator of the research center's archival program, for giving me permission to post these pictures. The full collection may be viewed online at: https://byrdpolarmedia.osu.edu/Passel_Charles_F_

Learn more by reading Passel's book, "Ice: The Antarctic Diary of Charles F. Passel."

Preparing for a trip to "the other Pole"

2011-12-06T06:00:00.009-05:00

My mind has been wandering a bit lately. While many people are thinking about the North Pole during December, I've been counting down the days until an Tennessee Aquarium member's trip leaves for Antarctica. This will be a voyage of science and exploration. We'll be travelling with Dr. James McClintock, Professor of Polar and Marine Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. McClintock's research is based out of Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.

I have always been fascinated with polar exploration for a variety of reasons. The meteorologist in me loves extremes. Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. The animal lover in me wants to see, and know more about, albatross, seals, whales and penguins. As a SCUBA diver, I'm intrigued by underwater images from beneath the ice. (Although I'll leave that kind of diving to others like Dr. McClintock.) And, there's a part of me that is in awe of the remote and pristine conditions of the polar regions.

I have been to the Arctic Circle before, which was an amazing experience, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to actually visit Antarctica. So, I'd like to share this experience with others via this blog.

This adventure begins in Chattanooga tomorrow with a short flight to Atlanta before a much more lengthy flight to Buenos Aires. We'll have a day to explore the capital city of Argentina before heading to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina which is billed as the "Southernmost City in the World." After a few hours on land, we'll board Le Boreal, an impressive cruise ship, for the trip across the famous Drake Passage.

In total, we'll end up roughly 7,000 miles south of the Tennessee Valley by the time we reach the Antarctic Peninsula.

Right now "Frosty the Snowman" is playing in the background, but in the Southern Hemisphere summer is about to begin. Some people have asked about the weather conditions we'll encounter. I'm sure we'll experience quite a bit of variety in the coming days. Even during the long days of the austral summer, warm is a relative term. But last week when snow was coating Signal Mountain at a temperature of 31 degrees, the weather observation at Palmer Station was also 31. The only difference was a 38 mph sustained wind making it feel colder at Palmer Station. The following day the wind abated and the temperature rose to 32 while it was only 27 degrees on Signal Mountain.

So we're all "packing for bear," hoping to remain comfortably warm with multiple layers of clothing under our bright red expedition jackets.

I plan to send back images and trip reports each day, but the distance from the Equator can sometimes cause communication challenges. (Video posts will have to wait until we return.) So check back between now and December 20th. I think you'll enjoy discovering Antarctica with us.

To kick things off, test your knowledge about the North and South Poles. The Royal Geographical Society, Institute of British Geographers and the British Antarctic Survey produced this "Pole to Pole Interactive Quiz."

Gentoo Penguin Birthday Celebration at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-11-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

Birthday cakes take on a different look when you are "baking" a surprise for a penguin birthday party. Tennessee Aquarium aviculturists made this heart shaped fish cupcake for "Peep's" 20th birthday today. The recipe is pretty simple. Mix a handful of savory smelt with enough water to fill a baking pan. Let stand in a freezer overnight. Voila! Penguin cupcakes. (Two pans serve 21 gentoo and macaroni penguins.)

Peep, seen in the hot pink flipper bands, was curious about the treat. However, that interest quickly turned toward her favorite past-time - swimming.

Everyone in the Penguins' Rock gallery enjoyed the celebration. They learned fun facts about Peep and the other penguins at the Tennessee Aquarium.

We'd like to invite you to visit our "surfing penguins" during the Aquarium's Tropical Holiday Adventure. Or check in on these little characters anytime by viewing the Penguins' Rock webcam.

Gentoo Penguin "Peep" Celebrates Her 20th Birthday

2011-11-29T06:58:00.002-05:00

The Tennessee Aquarium will celebrate a special birthday on Wednesday, November 30th. That's when gentoo penguin "Peep" will turn 20 years old, making her the oldest penguin on exhibit at Penguins' Rock. She, along with all of our other gentoos except "Shivers," came to Chattanooga from SeaWorld in San Antonio, TX. Shivers was the first gentoo reared here at the Aquarium.

In the wild, the life span of gentoo penguins is estimated to be between 15 and 20 years. Want more cool penguin facts? Go here.

Penguin keepers will mark the occasion with special treats for the gentoo and macaroni penguins. They will give the birds special fish cupcakes during keeper programs that day. Visitors can enjoy the fun while singing Happy Birthday to Peep.

According to aviculturist Loribeth Aldrich, Peep is kind of a sneaky penguin. "Peep is one of the most sly penguins in our colony," said Aldrich. " She isn't really afraid around keepers, but she kind of sneaks in the back of the group while we are hand-feeding the birds. The next thing you know, she's in front of you ready to eat!"

Peep is not only the oldest penguin at the Tennessee Aquarium. She is also the lightest and smallest gentoo. According Aldrich, she has two favorite activities. "Peep, Biscuit, Pebbles and Blue prefer to spend most of her day swimming. She also likes to paint when we offer that as an enrichment activity."

Look for penguin art in the Aquarium Gift Shops. Here's a shot of Peep painting and an example of her work.

Check in on Peep and the rest of her penguin pals anytime on the Penguins' Rock webcam.

Black Friday Shopping Made Easy at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-11-25T02:00:00.002-05:00

Monte, the Tennessee Aquarium's new keel-billed toucan, has the right idea. He simply follows his beak for special treasures.

In this case it's blueberries, his favorite treat. We hope this video illustrates how much fun you can have at the Tennessee Aquarium throughout the year. When new exhibits open, like Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari, Aquarium members have opportunities to enjoy special member previews and related programs. And members get a year's worth of unlimited visits and other benefits like discounts at the gift shop.

These photos were shared by Aquarium members. Each one captures a special family moment.

Plenty of stay at home moms visit weekly with their memberships. Others plan frequent family outings as a nice way to spend time together.

If you've ever heard someone say they're struggling for meaningful gift ideas that will get a lot of use, an Aquarium family membership is the perfect choice.
If you have someone special on your list that deserves a fun-filled experience, you might consider a gift certificate for Aquarium tickets, IMAX passes or an excursion aboard the River Gorge Explorer.

The Aquarium's online gift shop has plenty of options available for animal lovers. Browse the selections knowing that all of your purchases help support the Aquarium's conservation and education initiatives.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit institution.

Gourmet Feast for the Beasts Served Daily

2011-11-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hats off to everyone getting ready to prepare family feasts. Shopping for groceries is one thing. Bringing all of the elements together, cooking it and timing it to arrive on the table at the same time is another. So imagine if you had a huge gathering of hungry mouths to feed every day. YIKES!

Tennessee Aquarium aviculturist Loribeth Aldrich shows us how she uses her culinary talents to create a beautiful and nutritious meal for the birds of the Cove Forest exhibit each morning. After watching the video, consider how much care goes into all of the restaurant quality food served throughout both Aquarium buildings.

The numbers for the Aquarium's daily gourmet feast for the beasts are rather staggering. Carol Haley, the Aquarium's assistant curator of fishes, estimates our seahorses eat literally millions of mysid shrimp eat year. "We serve our seahorses mainly frozen mysid shrimp," said Haley. "Our seahorses are fed three times daily. We have 100 seahorses in our collection. If each seahorse eats 20 shrimp per feeding, that's 2,190,000 shrimp in a year." (Math teachers might want to add that word problem to the next quiz for bonus points.)

So there's just two examples. Want more big numbers to munch on? Check out this classic blog post:
http://tennesseeaquarium.blogspot.com/2010/11/feast-fit-for-beasts-at-tennessee.html

Earlier this year celebrity chef Alton Brown visited the Aquarium's kitchen with Haley. He was pretty amazed at the amount and quality of the food served to our critters.

Once we get past this week of turkey and dressing, check out our website for some of Alton's sustainable seafood recipes. Catfish soup or Baked Oysters Brownfeller might make tasty additions to your upcoming holiday parties.

We still have a few Alton Brown signed cookbooks available in our gift shops. They make nice gifts if you want to say, "Thanks for a great Thanksgiving dinner" or get a jump on your holiday shopping.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. The Aquarium will be closed for the holiday on Thursday, November 24th.

Bring the family by to relax and enjoy a "Tropical Holiday Adventure" this weekend.

Enjoy the Sounds of the Season

2011-11-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

The holidays are upon us once again and we'd like to invite you to spend some time at the Tennessee Aquarium. In addition to the Tropical Holiday Adventure daily lineup of fun programs, we have some special musical acts for you to enjoy.

Atlanta steel drummer Paul Vogler will provide a taste of the Caribbean while he performs in Ocean Journey on Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th from 11 am to 2 pm. You'll find him playing just outside Penguins' Rock. Here's a sample:

From December 10th through the 15th we'll showcase the talents of two Aquarium folks. Brad Brown is one of our penguin volunteers and is also a wonderful musician. Brad will be playing keyboard in the River Journey main lobby from Noon until 2:00pm. During the same dates and times you will be able to hear Aquarium staffer Matt Downer playing traditional Appalachian music in the Tennessee River Gallery.

Matt may be best known for his banjo pickin' with The New Binkley Brothers. Here they are playing at Riverbend in Chattanooga:

Tap your toes with Matt again from Friday, December 16th through Thursday, December 22nd from Noon until 2:00 pm. He'll wrap up the Sounds of the Season on December 24th.
Plan on spending some extra time at the Aquarium to relax and enjoy these performances during the holidays.

Fall Color in Tennessee Peaking Right Now

2011-11-02T09:33:00.000-04:00

The Tennessee River Gorge is putting on quite a show right now with fall color peaking. In spite of a record-breaking dry August, the carpet of color spilling down the mountains surrounding Chattanooga is pretty amazing. These pictures were taken aboard the River Gorge Explorer yesterday.

The autumn bronze, orange, red and yellow look fantastic against the deep blue skies. One of our crew members took these with a cell phone. They have not been digitally enhanced.

Captain Kyle Payne reports bald eagle sightings recently adding to the "Wow" factor of several of these fall excursions. Explorer passengers got an extra thrill yesterday when a deer was seen swimming across the Tennessee River from Williams Island to the shoreline near the Baylor School. Captain Kyle says they have been spotting more deer on cruises lately. "They have been seen on Moccasin Bend where the new riprap has been installed," Payne said. "Apparently they like the new grass that was planted in those locations."

Here's a quick video of what it's like to be aboard the River Gorge Explorer in the fall:

For a cruise schedule, or to purchase tickets online, go to: http://www.tnaqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer/RiverGorgeExplorer.aspx

***Special Note***

Chattanooga is proud to host the “Head of the Hooch,” the nation’s second largest regatta this weekend. As a result of the rowing events on the Chattanooga Riverfront, the River Gorge Explorer will board at MarineMax from Thursday, November 3^rd through Sunday November 6^th. MarineMax is located at 201 Riverfront Parkway, approximately two blocks west (or downstream) from the Chattanooga Pier.

Whooo's Afraid of the Dark? Try These Owl Calls at Home

2011-10-28T11:42:00.000-04:00

Halloween is a great time to spotlight some of the nocturnal creatures that many people might hear, but never see. During the Tennessee Aquarium's, "Thrills, Gills and Chills" visitors can stop by Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari for special programs like, "Creatures of the night." Guests might meet 'Blinky' and 'Stan.'

Blinky is an Eastern screech owl. Aquarium aviculturists like Amy Graves and Loribeth Aldrich let visitors know that even though you might not see one of these beautiful birds in your own backyard, you have probably heard them. They sometimes make a sound like a horse whinny.

Stan, the Aquarium's Eurasian eagle owl, has more of a deep hoot when he vocalizes. It really sounds like he's saying "whooo." Eurasian eagle owls are one of the largest owl species in the world, while Eastern screech owls are one of the smallest. It's pretty cool to see these birds brought out during programs to compare sizes.

Amy and Loribeth will also tell you to try calling barred owls in your own backyard. "You don't even have to be very good at it," says Tennessee Aquarium senior aviculturist Amy Graves. Just go out in your backyard in the evening and try hooting rhythmically. Graves says it sounds like someone saying, "Who cooks for you. Who cooks for you all." If you're doing it halfway right, you'll get a response like this:

While that's fun, you might get frightened if you're trying to call to a barred owl and a juvenile great horned owl is in the area. Listen to its chilling call on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.

That's nothing. An owl call that will send you running is the barn owl. YIKES!!! I'm outta here!

Happy Halloween.

Really Big Reptiles Looking Like Best Friends

2011-10-24T11:27:00.001-04:00

Tennessee Aquarium docent Pete Rittenberry gets credit for these cool images of our alligator and three alligator snapping turtles looking like best friends. The Delta Swamp exhibit is a favorite with our guests and these guys are among the Aquarium's most photographed and perhaps loved creatures. It's a fitting image to show right in the middle of "Thrills, Gills and Chills" since both species are somewhat feared and misunderstood.

Many people think the female American alligator is Queen of this exhibit, but she must know how the male alligator snapper has powerful jaws. While they are sometimes seen in close proximity, as seen in Pete's pictures, the big turtle sometimes chases the alligator out of the water.

One frequently asked question is, "How long can the alligator snapping turtles stay underwater?" Depending on water temperature, these prehistoric-looking turtles can stay submerged for nearly an hour. This video shows how alligator snapping turtles "fish" for a meal.

The Delta Swamp is transformed into a spooky place during the Aqua-Scarium Halloween Party. Come join us on Friday, October 28th.

Halloween Party at the Tennessee Aquarium Oct. 28th

2011-10-18T12:04:00.000-04:00

The Tennessee Aquarium's Aqua-Scarium Halloween Party is coming up on Friday, October 28th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Nothing too scary, just a ton of fun for families in both Aquarium buildings. This party features costumed divers, candy stations, games and a dance floor ready for the "Monster Mash."

You'll run into a few of the Aquarium's mascots dressed for the occasion. Pose for pictures as you say hello to the Princess Frog, a macaroni penguin dressed as a witch or a fish with fangs.

It's always fun to see the creative costumes that Aquarium visitors wear for the event. Don't forget the goodie bag. There are plenty of places to pick up something sweet while touring the Aquarium.

Smiles break out around every corner. Aquarium staffers spend a lot of time decorating for the event.

Games offer a chance to test your skills for prizes. Sometimes mom or dad take the challenge as well.

Super-heroes are always a favorite....as well as dressing up like your favorite animal friends.

Super Mario takes a break with a friend among a colony of painted pumpkin penguins.

Bean bag toss is always fun and loved by kids of all ages.

Pre-register by October 26th by going to: https://community.tnaqua.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=521
After October 26th, tickets will be available at the door the night of the event.

Additional entertainers like this magician add to the evening of fun.

You'll be a Super-Hero when you bring your kids to the Aqua-Scarium Halloween Party each year.

Hope to see ye there Mateys!

One World One Ocean & Your Chance to Join an IMAX Crew

2011-10-11T15:02:00.000-04:00

A trip to the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater is a truly amazing experience. Audiences can take virtual trips to the bottom of the ocean and to the farthest reaches of the universe. It's always a fun and educational experience, but when you look into the production notes of these films, you begin to gain a full appreciation for how much heart and soul are put into making these films.

Imagine the logistics of getting gear to a distant location at just the right time to capture a specific animal behavior. Then think about moving the gear into position underwater. A huge, somewhat noisy IMAX camera, lighting and perhaps a tripod and extra weights to stabilize the rig against shifting currents. Then just as the camera starts rolling - nature doesn't cooperate. The animal takes off, or like the sea lions in "Under the Sea 3D," decide to spend too much time too close to the lens.

Then imagine how it must feel when the crew gets the perfect shot, or better yet, captures something on film that no one has seen before.

If you've ever dreamed what it's like to be part of an IMAX film crew, here's your chance to be part of the team on location. The folks at MacGillivray Freeman Films have a contest that will make that dream a reality.

The Ocean Expedition Contest is going to give one lucky person a chance to join the IMAX pioneers and the One World One Ocean team on Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. This November they'll shoot a new film and capture footage that will help promote a long-term effort to protect the world ocean.

Entering is pretty easy, simply go to the contest expedition page and register to win: http://www.oneworldoneocean.org/page/s/imax-expedition-contest

The contest ends on October 17th, so hurry to register! But keep telling your friends about the One World One Ocean initiative. Here are two videos to give you a little insight into what's troubling our ocean, why you should care and how film can inspire everyone to help.

IMAX Tornado Alley 3D Preview with Dr. Karen Kosiba Benefits Red Cross

2011-09-27T17:56:00.000-04:00

Dr. Karen Kosiba, seen above in the Doppler on Wheels truck, will be at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater to introduce the film during a special FREE preview of Tornado Alley 3D on Thursday, September 29^th at 7:00 pm. Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis. Donations will be accepted at this screening for the Chattanooga Red Cross to help our community be better prepared for future storms.

Kosiba and an army of scientists from VORTEX2 are featured in Tornado Alley 3D. The most ambitious scientific mission of its kind, VORTEX2 was comprised of more than 100 severe-weather researchers from around the world, a fleet of radar trucks, mobile weather stations and the most sophisticated weather-measuring instruments ever created. The mission: probe nature’s most violent storms to better understand how tornadoes form and develop. The Tennessee Aquarium (TA) had a chance to interview Dr. Kosiba before her visit. Here's a portion of that Q&A session:

TA: Was there an event that spiked your interest in severe weather?

Kosiba: I’m a physics nerd….as a kid I was always fascinated with lightning. It was always amazing that nature can cause so much damage, and the field of meteorology is filled with unknowns waiting to be discovered.

TA: For the non-scientist, people may question why researchers say something like, "This is going to be a 'good day' for storm chasing. Is there a strange mix of emotions: science versus excitement?

Kosiba: People are fascinated with extremes. When we are out in the Plains States, most tornadoes are not impacting anyone. They are over open land and they are spectacular. But when a tornado does impact someone, it’s important to be there documenting it. It's how we gain knowledge to improve the warning process. This past year was unusual because of the number of populated areas that were impacted.

TA: What was the main objective of VORTEX 2?

Kosiba: The over-arching goal was gaining a better understanding of how tornadoes form which will help improve tornado warnings. On average, people only get 10 minutes lead time before a tornado. That's for ALL tornadoes.

Potentially you will have more lead time with big tornadoes and long-track tornadoes. What we’re trying to do is warn BEFORE a storm produces a tornado. Currently, when a radar signature appears that indicates a tornado is forming, but 75% of those storms don’t produce tornadoes. So we need a better discriminator to more accurately issue those warnings.

TA: Are there any preliminary results from VORTEX 2? Or any new insights from this project?

Kosiba: There was a huge amount of data gathered that will take literally years to fully analyze. We got some really good data on about 60 storms. This has produced some ideas about temperature fields and wind fields and how they interact. For example, how the downdraft wraps around and a potential discovery related to a radar signature that’s linked to the strengthening of one tornado that we observed. We'd like to examine more data to see if these signatures are present in non-tornadic storms.

TA: In addition to collecting indirect measurements from within the Doppler on Wheels, you also organize the placement of weather instruments for direct measurements. That must be challenging.

Kosiba: Getting instrumentation inside a tornado isn’t a new idea, but getting instruments inside a tornado is incredibly difficult. The TIV has the ability to keep adjusting, but placing stationary instruments is not. We have 16 tornado pods in an array. So we’re increasing our odds with numbers, but as you see in the film, it is quite a challenge to get a direct hit.

TA: What information can measurements inside a tornado provide?

Kosiba: The direct measurements on their own are not that useful, but when compiled with all of the data it is very helpful. We are able to link what we are seeing above ground level on radar and at the surface to understand how they are correlated.

Right now there's a real gap in the wind speed measurements correlated to the damage. We want to know what’s the difference between experiencing 100 to 120 mph for 3 or 4 seconds or 170 mph wind for one second? Is is duration or peak wind velocities causing the majority of the damage? That's important for designing structures, load bearing walls and tying walls to roofs.

TA: Have you ever been concerned for your own safety while inside the Doppler on Wheels?

Kosiba: My "yikes!" moment was in Hurricane Frances in 2004 during a nighttime landfall. We are really interested in how winds transition between the ocean and moving over land. We were perched near a cliff and the cliff started eroding during the night. We couldn't figure out why we were having trouble leveling the truck. We saw that one of the stabilizing legs was hanging over the edge the next morning.
TA: Could you be called out on hurricane duty with the Doppler on Wheels this year?

Kosiba: We are on standby for hurricane season, but we haven’t actually gone out since 2008. The last tropical storm I worked was Hurrane Ike on Galveston Island. It was actually strengthening as it made landfall. We got some great data in the eyewall and as the winds were transforming from the ocean to land. We documented eyewall meso-vorticies for the first time in IKE.

TA: What do you hope people learn from Tornado Alley 3D?

Kosiba: Appreciation and awareness. I hope people get a better understanding of the science by actually seeing people out there trying to find the answers to problems. And they are tough problems. We’re still learning and there’s a lot we still don’t know about how tornadoes form, and just as important, why some storms don’t produce tornadoes.

TA: Will there be a VORTEX 3?

Kosiba: I hope so. As we learn more, we formulate better questions. And the technology improves leading to new research opportunities.

Save Vanishing Species Stamps Now On Sale

2011-09-20T07:00:00.002-04:00

If you enjoyed the joyful scenes of baby orangutans and baby elephants in Born to be Wild 3D, then you'll appreciate a new stamp that's being unveiled today. (If you haven't seen the IMAX film yet, make sure you don't miss this outstanding movie.) The Save Vanishing Species stamp features an Amur tiger cub, as seen above. Even though a tiger was chosen as the face of conservation for this effort, a total of five species will benefit from the sales of this stamp. Here's how:

Net proceeds from sale of the Save Vanishing Species stamp directly support international wildlife conservation efforts to save beloved species like rhinos, elephants, tigers, marine turtles, and great apes – at no cost to American taxpayers.

The Save Vanishing Species stamps will now be available at Post Office locations nationwide and at USPS.com. They will sell for 55 cents – 11 cents greater than a First Class Mail stamp – and $11 for a sheet of 20.

The Save Vanishing Species stamps will directly provide funding for projects supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF), which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve tigers, rhinos, great apes, marine turtles, African elephants and Asian elephants. The stamp was created through federal legislation which was signed into law in September 2010. Passage of the law was spearheaded by the Wildlife Conservation Society and was supported by the 33 organizations of the Multinational Species Coalition, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“This stamp marks the fourth semipostal issued by the Postal Service. These types of stamps provide an extremely convenient way for the American public to contribute to help protect threatened and vanishing species,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman. “We look forward to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Multinational Species Coalition to make this stamp a resounding success.”

“The stamp provides a unique opportunity for the American public to work with the federal government to contribute to saving some of our most beloved threatened species,” said Herb Raffaele, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation. “A commitment to the stamp will demonstrate that Americans really care about wildlife conservation abroad.”

Whether it's a virtual meeting of the elephants and orangutans in "Born to be Wild 3D," or having the opportunity to observe "Stewie" and "Oscar," the Aquarium's two green sea turtles up close, people care about the status of these charismatic animals and their wild counterparts.

We hope everyone considers purchasing these stamps to help the organizations working diligently to ensure the survival of these animals. At the same time, we hope you'll consider making a contribution to support the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute's field work. Lake sturgeon, logperch, darters, hellbenders and topminnows may not be as adorable as a baby tigers, but the challenges these aquatic species face are every bit as real.

Peanut - The Tennessee Aquarium's Football Pickin' Possum

2011-09-14T06:00:00.002-04:00

"Peanut," one of the Tennessee Aquarium's Virginia opossums, is a visitor favorite at Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari. In the picture above, Thaddeus Taylor coaxes Peanut out of a hollow tree by shaking a container of treats. It's like ringing a dinner bell for this food-motivated marsupial. "He's hungry ALL the time," said Taylor.

Taylor and senior educator Susie Grant have been "coaching up" this new animal star during regular animal training sessions. "We try to show our visitors natural behaviors in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari," said Grant. "Possums have several great adaptations that help them survive in the wild, including a highly developed sense of smell." Since Peanut can follow his nose to find food, Aquarium staff give him enrichment activities where he can search for a meal. In this case, fishy treats are placed under light boxes for peanut to find. Equal amounts of treats were placed under the boxes to see if Peanut would follow his nose to pick the winners of upcoming football games.

Look for Peanut, the football pickin' possum, beginning Friday September 16th on WDEF-TV's Prime News at 7:00 pm. Peanut's picks will be shown with a recap on the following Monday.

We don't know if Peanut has a nose for football, but he knows how to find food. Although a variety of college and NFL teams were used for this demonstration, the Cavaliers were disqualified. After all, Peanut is a Virginia opossum.

Serve & Protect: A New Way to be a Locavore

2011-09-12T09:44:00.002-04:00

A New Way to be a Locavore - by Ashford Rosenberg, Tennessee Aquarium sustainability coordinator

The “locavore” movement started in 2005, but the concept of eating local is nothing new. In the past, people either had to grow their own food, or buy it from a local farmer. Globalization made once exotic foods more readily available. Now, with concerns of green house gas emissions resulting from shipping food, many people are again sourcing from local farmers.

There are several farms within 100 miles of Chattanooga, and many of them are present in area farmers’ markets. Anyone who has been to the Chattanooga Market on a Sunday, or the Main Street Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays, is familiar with the variety of produce available from different farms. But did you know there is a way to source seafood locally?

Rainbow trout, while technically a freshwater fish, are a healthy source of seafood. They are similar in taste and health benefits to salmon, and the farming methods of trout have less environmental impacts. Salmon are often farmed in open net pens, which are contained areas that float in a body of water. The waste and excess food from the pen is washed directly into the environment, degrading water quality and transferring parasites and disease to wild fish. There is also a concern about escapees from the farm breeding with wild fish. Trout, on the other hand, are farmed inland in closed systems. These closed systems alleviate the fear of disease, parasites, and escaped fish affecting the wild populations.

Now for the best part. Trout is local! Not only is there a rainbow trout farm in the next county (Pickett Trout Ranch in Dunlap, TN), but many streams in the area are stocked with rainbow trout for anglers. Check TWRA regulations to find the trout stream closest to you. Brown trout and the native Brook trout also inhabit Tennessee streams. (All three species can be seen in the Tennessee Aquarium's Cove Forest exhibit.) Catching your own fish for dinner is the most sustainable eating habit, with sourcing from local farms not far behind.

Many restaurants in the Chattanooga area serve trout. Look for it on the menu, and enjoy a delicious, healthy, and sustainable dinner. Or, try Alton Brown's Serve & Protect Pecan Crusted Trout recipe. Bon Appétit!

All Aboard! Labor Day Fun in Chattanooga

2011-09-01T18:12:00.000-04:00

There is a ton of fun to be found in Chattanooga during the Labor Day weekend. We hope you have time to enjoy it all!

Happy Jack, the double yellow-headed Amazon parrot, has been a big hit with Tennessee Aquarium visitors. He's such an entertainer that he will be taking his show on the road after his Labor Day weekend appearances in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari. Every time I've seen Jack, he's made me smile. EVERY TIME. Don't miss this perky parrot this weekend!

RAILFEST 2011: Train fans will love the 50th Anniversary celebration of "Iron Horses" at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Train rides, special railroad displays, music and fun for kids all weekend long.

FREE MUSIC: Check out "The Barefoot Movement" at the Chattanooga River Market on Saturday, Sept. 3rd.

Later that evening, head downtown for Riverfront Nights. You'll love the sounds of Vieux Farka Toure - African guitar master and World Music Legend.

There's a special late night Dance Jam with Space Capone performing at 9 PM to welcome back UTC students. (But you don't have to be a MOC to enjoy the extended music on the Riverfront.)

And paddlers, get out on the water for "Paddler's Night."

Speaking of paddling.........don't miss out on the final showings of "Ultimate Wave: Tahiti 3D" at IMAX. You'll witness some of the world's best surfers and paddleboarders on GINORMOUS waves on the six-story screen. Coming September 30th: "Tornado Alley 3D."

Adorable is the word for the baby orangutans and elephants starring in "Born to Be Wild 3D" at IMAX. Now through September 30th, parents should look for the Born to be Wild 3D sign when visiting Chattanooga area SUBWAY restaurants. They’ll get a Born To Be Wild 3D activity sheet with any six-inch sandwich or kid’s meal. Complete the activity and bring it to the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater for half-off children’s admission.

Want to get out on the water and enjoy nature? Our naturalists will show you the natural wonders of "Tennessee's Grand Canyon" aboard the River Gorge Explorer. Reserve your cruise today.

That's just a sampling of what's happening in Chattanooga. We hope to see you! Happy Labor Day!

Well-Traveled Ray FInds a Home at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-08-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

The Tennessee Aquarium recently received a roughtail stingray, Dasyatis centroura, from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. This female ray has a rather interesting past, including how many places she's travelled before coming to Chattanooga.

According to Beth Firchau, Curator of Fishes & Dive Operations Supervisor at the Virginia Aquarium, this ray almost became a shark snack. "This roughtail was born in 2006. She is the offspring of a female that was wild caught in 1996 off Wachapreague, Virginia and a wild caught male ray that came to us from the Adventure Aquarium," said Firchau. "The ray was born in the Norfolk Canyon Aquarium. Interestingly enough its mother had been bitten by one of our sharks and was in recovery when she pupped." The newborn ray was kept in an off-exhibit area until she was big enough to be placed on display in the Virginia Aquarium's ray touch tank. When she grew too big for that exhibit, she moved to Chattanooga.

Matt Hamilton, a Tennessee Aquarium aquarist, (seen above and below) and others have been target training this ray to "eat on cue" while she has been going through quarantine at the Animal Care Facility. Put simply, a target is lowered into the water which attracts the ray for feeding. By teaching the ray to come to one location to dine, it helps ensure that she'll get the proper amount of food and nutritional supplements.

Hamilton said this move from the ACF to the Tennessee Aquarium was one of the smoothest he's helped with. "It may be that because she was in a touch tank, she's used to a lot of contact," said Hamilton. "She's always seemed very calm and easy to work with."

In the transport container, this ray seemed used to moving day. Hamilton believes her light coloration reflects her relatively light-colored homes. Both the touch tank at the Virginia Aquarium and quarantine tank at the ACF were rather light. Her new home in the Secret Reef is darker, so she may end up looking like the southern stingrays that are already on exhibit in Ocean Journey.

So how will visitors tell her apart from the other rays? First of all, her tail is MUCH longer than the other stingrays. And eventually, she might be a rather large ray. Roughtails in the wild have been known to reach more than seven feet across! They sometimes tip the scales at nearly 450 pounds!

Fortunately for our aquarists, she found a new home at the Tennessee Aquarium before she got that big. It only took two people to carry her when she was moved from the transport container to the acclimation pool above the Secret Reef.

This ray is no longer a wayward ray. She's now a stay at home ray. She'll spend enough time in the acclimation pool to make sure she keeps responding to the target feeding. Once aquarists are certain she's eating well every time they "ring the dinner bell," then the gate will be lifted and she'll be free explore the rest of her new home.

Fond Memories Of A Very Old Shark

2011-08-12T17:00:00.002-04:00

Tennessee Aquarium staffers were saddened by the loss of one of our bonnethead sharks today. For the past couple of weeks, we have been celebrating this “grand-daddy” of bonnetheads. You should have seen senior aquarist Rob Mottice while he talked about bringing this bonnethead to the Tennessee Aquarium from Florida in 1991. His eyes would light up and he would get a big smile on his face as he recalled putting this particular fish on exhibit.

As far as we know, this male was the world’s oldest of this species on public display. He was estimated to be 20 to 22 years old. (Scroll down for the complete story.) At least one shark researcher was interested to learn that our shark lived such a long life. Even though sharks on exhibit live longer than their wild counterparts, this new “record” adds to our understanding of bonnetheads. Will another one live longer on exhibit or an even older tagged shark be caught?

Up until his death, this shark seemed as active as the day he arrived at the Aquarium. So it appears that his advanced years finally caught up with him.

A technique called vertebrae ring analysis can be used to determine the exact age of sharks in the wild. Like tree rings, shark vertebrae exhibit growth rings that can be counted to tell how old the animal was. However, it’s believed that these growth rings are influenced by seasonality, so a shark on exhibit may not lay down such rings. We are going to attempt to have an expert examine this shark’s vertebrae. If growth rings appear in this case, our bonnethead may add a little more to our knowledge about this species.

Wayward Gecko from Firehall #1 - An Invasive Friend or Foe?

2011-08-12T11:28:00.001-04:00

Earlier this week we received an e-mail from Chattanooga Firefighter Gabriel Thrash. He and the other firefighters at Station #1 had a new friend. This "lizard" was scooped up after being observed hanging around the walls and ceiling of the firehouse. He wanted to know if an Aquarium expert could identify the creature. Dave Collins, the Aquarium's curator of forests, was able to quickly respond (Much like our firefighting friends.): "It’s a Mediterranean house gecko," said Collins. "It is an exotic from southern Europe but one of the most successful hitch-hikers in the world. This species has become established virtually around the globe including most of the Southeast. Like its name implies, it loves to cohabitate with humans-enjoying the heat, security and steady diet of bugs that our homes and buildings provide."

Anyone wishing to learn more about these friendly little house guests can go to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource website.

Collins says that while it's enjoyable to watch these animals patrol for bugs on walls and around light fixtures, it's important to remember that this is an invasive species. In this case, Mediterranean house geckos don't seem to cause many problems.

Star Trek fans will recall one of the most famous episodes, The Trouble with Tribbles.

The crew of the Enterprise were quickly overrun by an invasive species brought aboard the Starship by a huckster selling the creatures for pets. According to Wikipedia, this science fiction episode was an early attempt to address environmental concerns.

From Wikipedia: In his 1973 memoir The Trouble With Tribbles: The Complete Story of One of Star Trek's Most Popular Episodes [1] author David Gerrold states that he had been a science fiction fan since childhood, and was a film student in college when the series was aired. Gerrold submitted five story premises to Producer Gene L. Coon. One of the five premises, "The Fuzzies", interested Coon, and Gerrold was commissioned to write the story outline (retitled A Fuzzy Thing Happened To Me. . .).

"Tribbles" was originally intended to be a serious take on the introduction of alien species to predator-free environments, as had happened with rabbits in Australia. In the book, Gerrold stated that his goal was to show how a species that seemed harmless could be quite dangerous.

Unfortunately this happens in the real world today when animals like lionfish are purchased for pets and turned loose in environments where they don't belong. Lionfish are rather gorgeous fish, but they are causing big problems from the U.S. east coast through the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Mexico and most recently the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Locally, mosquitofish were introduced to control the bloodsucking insect populations. But the mosquitofish also liked eating topminnows. And within a relatively short period of time, Barrens topminnows were in trouble in their native springs on the Cumberland Plateau because of another introduced species.

And it takes a lot of hard work to restore an endangered species once they are threatened by an invasive animal.

So while a gecko may not be a "fire" for local creatures, it does illustrate the "smoke" of invasive animals being very successful where they don't belong.

Shark Week - World's Oldest Bonnethead Shark at the Tennessee Aquarium?

2011-08-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

O.K. shark fans, an interesting story surfaced off the coast of South Carolina recently which leads to the Tennessee Aquarium. It's a tale that begins in the Florida Keys nearly a quarter of a century ago. That's when Rob Mottice was beginning his career with the - yet to be opened - Tennessee Aquarium. "We drove a box van, like a U-Haul truck to near Marathon, Florida to pick up some bonnethead sharks. This was back in 1991 several months before the Aquarium opened in May of 1992," said Mottice. "It was a long drive back to Chattanooga and the sharks did great." Mottice said that two of the bonnetheads were about the same length which often indicates the animals are "in the same class," or about the same age. "The female had pups at the Aquarium later which leads us to believe she was about two years old when she got here. And we think the male was about the same age."

The male bonnethead is still swimming around in the Aquarium's Gulf of Mexico exhibit. If Mottice's estimate is correct, then this shark is 20 to 22 years old.

Far from being "long in the tooth," this shark is still a feisty fish. When volunteers enter the water to feed the Aquarium's and other reef fish in this exhibit, this shark is ready to chomp down on meals like a pup. "You still want to be quick while feeding this guy," said Mottice. "He's very quick and will occasionally nip at fingers if a diver doesn't release food fast enough."

According to fishbase.org, the maximum reported age of bonnethead sharks in the wild is twelve years. So a few eyebrows were raised recently when a significantly older bonnethead shark was recaptured off the coast of South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Shark Survey Team. When this particular shark was originally tagged in 2002, it was already a full-grown adult. Through Vertebrae Ring Analysis, the age of this shark was determined to be 17 years old. Southern Fried Science, a science and nature website, reported the tagged shark as being the “World's oldest known bonnethead shark.”

Bryan Frazier, a marine biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, believes that while the tagged shark was well beyond the average life span of around 15 years, there may be older bonnetheads in the sea. Frazier thinks that under-aging occurs in age and growth work. “It’s only when we have a long-term recapture such as this one, and a few others I have gotten over the years, that we see that these animals are really living longer than we first thought,” said Frazier. “I imagine as time goes on we will continue to encounter individuals that expand our knowledge.”

So is the Tennessee Aquarium's shark the world's oldest bonnethead? As far as Mottice knows, this guy holds the longevity record for members of this species on public display. "Obviously animals like this get excellent care. They get hand delivered, restaurant-quality groceries, volunteer divers routinely clean their home and they have an excellent health plan with regular house calls from our veterinarian."

Visitors can enjoy watching this "Grand-Daddy" of bonnetheads during Shark Week along with epaulette sharks in Stingray Bay and the sand tiger and sandbar sharks in the Secret Reef exhibit.

Tennessee Aquarium Volunteer Talks About Born to be Wild 3D

2011-07-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

The Tennessee Aquarium was very fortunate to have Lori Perkins, Zoo Atlanta's director of animal programs, help with the launch of "Born to be Wild 3D." Not only is Lori an orangutan expert, but she has also been to Borneo to meet Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas, one of the women featured in this amazing IMAX film. Perkins is concerned by the plight of all great apes and knows that orangutans would be in much worse shape if not for the work of Dr. Galdikas. "Development has created a situation where orangutans have only scattered pockets of habitat left," said Perkins. "The wilderness is not simply shrinking around them, it's being cut down in a patch-work fashion that leaves only islands of habitat among the developed areas. It's really sad."

Galdikas is the president of the Orangutan Foundation International. She has dedicated her life to wild orangutan research and saving orphaned baby orangutans. In the film viewers are captivated by these fun-loving animals and the devotion shown by their caretakers as they are raised just long enough to be returned to the wild. If that were all this film would be about, audiences would be satisfied.

But of course the other "half" of this story takes place in Kenya. Here audiences meet Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick and the adorable baby elephants she rescues and rehabilitates for reintroduction to the wild. Sheldrick is an amazing woman who established the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in 1977, following the death of her husband who was regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on African wildlife.

The Aquarium has another connection to this film. As it turns out, Louis Spencer is friends with Dr. Sheldrick. Spencer is one of the Aquarium's volunteer docents. He's always ready to share animal information with our guests whenever he's on duty in River Journey or Ocean Journey. Now, he has more inside information to share about Dr. Sheldrick's work.

"I have been organizing and leading safaris to East Africa since 1985," said Spencer. "I met Daphne in the early 1990's and have been supporting her through donations and bringing my groups to visit her and the elephants ever since.

According to Spencer, traveling to Kenya is fairly modern these days which makes it a relatively easy destination for tourists and group leaders. And for those who can't make such a long journey, "Born to be Wild 3D" is the next best thing to being there. "The film is great," said Spencer. "IMAX does a fantastic job of setting the story up and telling the story of my friend Daphne and Dr. Galdikas. The film really did a great job of highlighting the dedication of these two women who have dedicated their whole lives to saving animals."

Spencer describes Sheldrick as a very nice person who is dedicated to the preservation of ALL wildlife, not just elephants. As a result, she is in great demand around the world. "When I last visited her in November, she was off to Japan the next day to give a lecture," said Spencer. "She's very involved with various international conservation efforts."

Spencer says in some ways Kenya is different today, yet sadly is still the same in other respects. "When you travel to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you are going to her house," said Spencer. "When I first visited in the early 90's, you pretty much had the place to yourself. Today, because of international exposure like National Geographic, there can be nearly 500 people at the orphanage on some days. And it's only open one hour a day. Of course that's great because the money generated supports the program. And when I take a group we pay an extra fee for a private tour to get a more personal experience."

Unfortunately, poaching still exists, so the care provided by Dr. Sheldrick's staff will be needed for the foreseeable future. The land remains rugged and so vast that effectively patrolling the entire area is virtually impossible.

Spencer dashed off an e-mail to let his friends know he'd seen them recently on a six-story screen in downtown Chattanooga. "After I saw the film I sent Daphne a little note to let her, Edwin and the other guys know that I had seen them. She responded by saying how much they enjoyed making the film."

Come see "Born to be Wild 3D" on Thursday, August 4th at 6:00 pm. After the film we'll have an informal meet and greet with Louis Spencer. You can learn more about what it's like to be face-to-trunk with dozens of playful pachyderms. Hope to see you then!

Tennessee Aquarium Backyard Habitat Workshop Saturday, July 23rd

2011-07-18T10:35:00.000-04:00

Tennessee Aquarium visitors are really in for a treat each time they visit Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari. Free-flying birds, such as this blue-headed macaw thrill guests during special programs. Throughout much of the rest of the day, animals like turtles, reptiles, amphibians and mammals such as a woodchuck, hedgehog or opossum. By meeting these wonderful creatures up close, guests gain a better understanding of their natural adaptations, habitat and role in the environment. Hopefully this experience will "follow everyone home," inspiring them to take a look at their own backyard habitat. This Saturday, July 23rd at 2:30 pm Aquarium visitors will have an opportunity to explore Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari and then learn what it takes to certify their own backyard habitat.

Tennessee Aquarium education outreach coordinator Bill Haley will conduct this fun-filled one hour workshop, which is FREE with Aquarium admission. Bill will incoporate live animals, slides and handouts to show everyone how easy and rewarding it is to certify your yard with National Wildlife Federation.

Bill's yard has been certified with NWF since 1990. His backyard habitat number is 8280, today there are more than 140,000 people with certified backyards.

Some people may think that you have to own a lot of land to provide suitable habitat for wildlife. Bill's yard is the perfect example illustrating how a relatively small area can provide rich opportunities for animals and great viewing for people. As a butterfly expert, Bill has concentrated on nectar producing plants. Along with hummingbirds and bees, Bill enjoys a plethora of butterflies winging their way to his doorstep for a meal.

The colorful blooms brighten his front yard and is very appealing to the eyes for everyone. Spend even a few moments looking closer and you'll notice a living network where only grass once stood. "This project actually began as a way to cut down on my mowing time," admits Haley. "Some of the plants are in containers so they can be moved around as needed. There's something in bloom throughout the growning season."

One surprise to some are the numerous pitcher plants in Bill's front yard.

You can see pitcher plants in the Aquarium's Ocean Journey building in the Tropical Cove. To see so many in one yard is really quite a treat.

Four things are needed for a certified backyard: food, water, shelter and places to raise young. During the workshop, Haley will give everyone ideas how to maximize your space to invite more wildlife into our lives.

Bill's yard was recently featured on CNN. Jacqui Jeras produced a wonderful segment about backyard habitat that aired recently on CNN.

We hope to see you at the Backyard Habitat Workshop - Saturday, July 23rd at 2:30 pm. Make sure you arrive early to see two back-to-back bird shows in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari at 2:00 and 2:15 pm. Then move around the corner to the River Journey Auditorium for the workshop.

Finding the Red, White and Blue at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-07-04T07:00:00.002-04:00

Celebrate the 4th of July at the Tennessee Aquarium by going on a star-spangled scavenger hunt. Score one point for each animal you find that's either red, white or blue. Two points each for creatures with red, white or blue in their name. At Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari you could have fun popping up in the NEW piranha pop-up tank and score two points for coming face-to-face with red-bellied piranhas. (Two points!)

Have you ever seen these guys eat? It's awesome!

Red-fronted macaws also fly overhead in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari. (Have fun scoring two more points when Holly flies overhead.)

Squirrelfish in the Secret Reef have red coloration. (One point.) Or look in the Tennessee River Gallery for the redline darter. (And score two points.)

Eastern king snakes aren't supposed to be white, but if you look closely in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari, you might see this albino snake when it appears with one of our animal experts. Without natural pigmentation, this particular snake might have been easy prey in the wild. (Good eyes! One point.) You might meet a White's tree frog at Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari or have a white angled sulphur butterfly land on you in the Butterfly Garden. (Find both animals and score four more points!)

Blue poison dart frogs can be found in Discovery Hall. (Two more points.) The are in the same exhibit with yellow & blue poison dart frogs. (Two MORE points!) and yellow-banded poison dart frogs.

The hyacinth macaws are blue. (Technically, one definition of hyacinth refers to a shade of blue that's a light violet to moderate purple. So we'll give you 1.5 points for spotting the largest members of the parrot family.) A full two-point score goes to those who spot eastern bluebirds in the Cove Forest. Score two more points at Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari if you spot Tiki, one of the blue-headed macaws.

With two buildings full of amazing animals from around the world, you'll have plenty of fun as you explore each exhibit searching for the red, white and blue of the natural world.

Four Reasons Why You Should Visit Chattanooga Over the 4th of July Weekend

2011-07-01T09:42:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe 2011 is already half over. If you're like many, you're ready to relax and enjoy a long holiday weekend. So we'd like you to consider Chattanooga where everyone can find plenty of fun in a laid-back atmosphere. Here's four reasons why the "Scenic-City" is the place to be over the 4th of July Weekend:

#1) Family Fun at Chattanooga Area Attractions

Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari is NEW at the Tennessee Aquarium. Meet all kinds of cool creatures from around the world up close in this new gallery. Pop-up inside a tank filled with toothy piranhas or be part of a free flight bird show. (Insider tip: Go to the Aquarium's website to see the schedule of bird shows. Then plan to watch two shows back to back. You'll be glad you did. And make sure there's plenty of room on your camera's memory card...you'll want to take a lot of pictures.)

Your ticket is good for both Aquarium buildings with no time restrictions. So feel free to visit one building, then stroll downtown for something to eat and come back to visit the other building. (Insider tip: Add a Backstage Pass tour to go behind the scenes. Penguins, Sharks and More!)

Don't miss Born to be Wild 3D NEW at IMAX! Baby elephants and baby orangutans are adorable. This film tells the heart-warming story of two women who have dedicated their lives to saving these orphans and raising them until they are strong enough to return to the wild. (Insider Tip: New flex ticketing allows you to choose any of the IMAX showings when you buy your Aquarium/IMAX combo for extra savings. But plan on going to one of the earlier showings.)

There's nothing like boating on the 4th of July, so cruise the river in style aboard the River Gorge Explorer. (Insider Tip: Book the Early Bird Special for extra savings or choose the Sunset Special and get three hours of cruising for the price of two.)

Bob the Builder is NEW at the Creative Discovery Museum. Spend time in Sunflower Valley with Bob the Builder, Wendy and the rest of the Can-Do Crew. Practice your own fixing with kid-smart activities that build up can-do attitudes. (Insider Tip: Visit July 2nd through the 4th and have extra fun with patriotic face-painting, hat and flag making.)

2) FREE MUSIC! Begin the weekend at Miller Plaza for the Nightfall concert series.

Friday, July 1st features HUGO at Nightfall. Here's a sample:

Look for more free music at Rock City, the Incline Railway, Chattanooga River Market and Chattanooga Market.

3) Fantastic Fireworks! Chattanooga makes it easy to get the most bang for your buck. FREE fireworks and music at Coolidge Park on Sunday, July 3rd. The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera always puts on a dynamite performance followed by an amazing fireworks display. (Insider tip: Get there early and stake your claim by placing your lawn chairs in just the right location - one with a good view and close to concessions and restrooms.)

Then on Monday, July 4th plan on being at the Chattanooga Lookouts game as they take on the Huntsville stars. A fireworks extravaganza takes place following the exciting baseball action. (Insider tip: Purchase tickets online and then bypass the lines when you pick up your tix at "Will Call".)

#4) Affordable hotel packages. Here's a link to four properties that offer tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium when you book one of their great rooms. (Insider Tip: Use the FREE electric shuttle to get to downtown Chattanooga. No need to drive or park when someone else will do that for free.)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

Happy Birthday Shivers! Gentoo Penguin Turns One Today.

2011-06-30T08:59:00.001-04:00

Shivers, the Tennessee Aquarium's first gentoo chick, turns one today. Keepers say her personality has changed a bit over the past year. Initially Shivers was rather feisty, but lately she has taken on a more friendly demeanor.

Penguins grow quickly and Shivers was no exception. Looking back on her baby pictures it was hard to believe that she looked almost like an adult in roughly three months. But even six months later she would pester mom for a free feeding.

Penguin chicks look so clumsy once they become "toddlers." Look at how big her feet looked in this photo in relation to the rest of her body. I guess this might be considered a picture of Shivers' "awkward" stage.

Aviculturists like Loribeth Aldrich, spend a lot of extra hours caring for penguin chicks. The first few weeks are delicate times for penguins. In the wild there are additional challenges, such as avoiding predators like skuas. At the Aquarium, tiny birds only come face to face with their skilled keepers.

Shivers was well-fed by her parents so aviculturists did not have to step in and supplement her diet. Shivers was placed in an acrylic bowl for regular weigh-ins to ensure she was gaining weight at a steady rate.

We'll have to wait until next year to see if any more baby penguins appear at the Tennessee Aquarium. But today, we'll sing a birthday song or two.

Baby Turtle Mania at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-06-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

Spotted turtles, Clemmys guttata

Yellow-blotched map turtles, Graptemys flavimaculata

Red-headed Amazon River turtles, Podocnemis erythrocephala

All photos by Bill Hughes, Tennessee Aquarium senior herpetologist

Tennessee Aquarium turtle keepers are in the middle of a baby boom right now. In the past week, four yellow-blotched map turtles, four red-headed Amazon River turtles and two spotted turtles have hatched. They are among this year’s bumper crop of shelled creatures that are listed as vulnerable, threatened or endangered.

This has been an amazing season at the Aquarium. Earlier this spring, a spiny turtle and a four-eyed turtle hatched, both of which are endangered species. “Our turtle breeding program has been successful in 41 of the 75 species we exhibit and we’re very proud of that,” said Dave Collins, the Aquarium’s curator of forests. “The techniques we’re developing are being shared with others who are working together to preserve turtles and ensure the most threatened species don’t go extinct.”

Senior herpetologist Bill Hughes isn’t shell-shocked by a nursery full of newborns, but he is pleasantly surprised by multiples of one species. “We’ve only had one other red-headed Amazon River turtle hatch before. That was in 2009,” Hughes said. “So to have multiples of this species from one clutch of eggs is pretty remarkable.”

Red-headed Amazon River turtles, Podocnemis erythrocephala, are called side-neck turtles because they cannot pull their heads into their shells. Instead, when threatened, these turtles tuck their heads to the side. Juveniles and adult males have a red head, but adult females tend to have brown heads. In the wild, red-headed Amazon River turtles are hunted for their meat and eggs. As a result, they are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, IUCN. These babies will be maintained off-exhibit, but adults can be viewed in the Amazon tank in the Rivers of the World gallery on Level 2.

Yellow-blotched map turtles, Graptemys flavimaculata, are listed as threatened by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The habitat of these turtles is affected by pollution and by the practice of removing log snags, which the turtles use for basking and refuge. According to IUCN, yellow-blotched map turtles also saw further population declines following hurricanes Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005. The new foursome will be kept off-exhibit until they get bigger, but Aquarium visitors can see hatchlings from previous years in the Turtle Gallery on Level2. There are also adults on exhibit in the Pascagoula tank in Discovery Hall.

Spotted turtles, Clemmys guttata, are native to eastern North America and occur from Canada south to Florida. According to IUCN estimates, spotted turtles have seen more than half of their wild population disappear in the past 25 years due to habitat loss. Where these turtles remain, additional population declines are occurring due to collection for pet trade. As a result, this species is currently listed as Endangered by IUCN. The new pair will be maintained off-exhibit. Juvenile spotted turtles can be seen in the Turtle Gallery on Level 2.

With more than 500 individuals in the Tennessee Aquarium’s diverse collection of turtles, herpetologists may have more babies on the way. “June is the peak month for turtle hatchlings,” said Hughes. “And even though this has already been a very successful breeding season, we are still watching a few eggs.”

Walking Distance at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-06-22T13:51:00.000-04:00

We received a great question the other day. Someone wanted to know, "What is the total walking distance from beginning to end, top to bottom of the Aquarium?" Curious to know the answer, we asked Gene Dwyer, the Aquarium's visitor services manager, to measure the distance. Using a rolling tape measure similar to the one pictured below, Gene started measuring at the River Journey front entrance. He followed the visitor path through Seahorses and Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari and up to the Cove Forest. From there he followed the Aquarium's self-guided path through the River Journey building and across to Ocean Journey. Traveling through the Tropical Cove, Butterflies, Penguin's Rock, Gene wound his way through the rest of Ocean Journey to the exit where he came up with the final answer. Any guesses?

Gene measured a walking distance of 3,866 feet!

Weird Fish Found - Oooooh, or EWWWW!?

2011-06-15T15:32:00.001-04:00

Here's a fish story that will either make you say, "Oooh" or "EWWW!" A Middle Tennessee resident e-mailed this picture with a rather amusing story. "I live in Murfreesboro, TN and noticed my dog chomping on something in the yard. I took it away from him and found that it was this creepy fish head. Do you know how to get in touch with someone who may know what this thing is? I would have guessed some kind of catfish but to my knowledge they don't grow teeth like this. I'm really curious.Thanks! Erin"

Carol Haley, the Tennessee Aquarium's assistant curator of fishes, held her nose and made a quick ID of this aromatic discovery. "Erin, It is definitely a catfish, and most likely a flathead catfish. Thanks for the photo, I have added to my collection of gnarly fish! - Carol Haley"

Mystery solved. By the way Erin, the next time you visit stop by the Nickajack Lake exhibit in the Aquarium's River Journey building. You'll be able to see a living example of what your dog brought home. Flatheads are pretty cool fish.

And stop by the gift shop on your way out. You might want to buy some "Reef Fresh Mints" for your pooch. They'll come in handy the next time your canine friend brings home a "creepy fish head."

Real-Time Weather information for Chattanooga

2011-06-08T10:17:00.000-04:00

With the summer travel season in full swing, we wanted to remind everyone that the Tennessee Aquarium has a weather station providing real-time weather conditions for downtown Chattanooga.
This includes a live webcam which provides a view of the Aquarium buildings and the main entrance to the Riverbend Festival.

While visitors to Chattanooga will appreciate access to this information, Tennessee Aquarium educators use this data in a much different way. Thanks to a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Aquarium educators will use climate data from this tool in ocean literacy and watershed programs.

Download the WeatherBug APP to have this information available on your mobile device.

iTunes Store - Android Market - BlackBerry

Eurasian Eagle Owl Wows Tennessee Aquarium Visitors

2011-06-07T13:12:00.000-04:00

Free flight bird shows are some of the thrilling programs Tennessee Aquarium visitors may see at Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari. Yesterday a young visitor volunteered to sit on stage during a program with a Eurasian eagle owl.

"Archimedes," one of the Eurasian eagle owls gets a ride on Cassie's hand, greeting guests with those beautiful eyes.

At the far end of the gallery, Archimedes finds his perch overlooking the audience. Throughout the program visitors learn general owl facts and information specific to Eurasian eagle owls.

Owls are known for silent flight. Archimedes has a wingspan of nearly six feet, yet he hardly makes a sound as he flies across Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari.

What you will hear are the sounds of excited visitors as this amazing bird flies within inches of the guests.

Especially the young visitor who was ready to take a picture of his landing spot. She was totally unaware that this huge owl was going to come up from behind with a silent gust of air. Landing perfectly, Archimedes looks around at all of the smiling and laughing visitors and must think, "What's all the excitement about? I do this all the time." But how many people get to have an owl, especially one this large, swoop past them on cue?

Meet all of the cool creatures at Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari and learn how to improve backyard habitat where you live.

Memorial Day Weekend Travel - Chattanooga

2011-05-27T11:46:00.001-04:00

Memorial Day weekend is considered by many people as the unofficial start to summer. So we hope you'll consider Chattanooga as the place to kickoff Summer 2011.

Get your summer season off to a flying start at the Tennessee Aquarium. Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari is NEW this year and so far people have been loving this new experience. In addition to free-flight bird shows several times each day, you'll meet all kinds of awesome animals.....some you can touch and some you may not want to.

The greens of summer have taken over the Tennessee River Gorge. Yesterday passengers aboard the River Gorge Explorer got a good look at several ospreys including one of the parents nesting on a channel marker near Williams Island. These parents have successfully raised chicks for at least the past three seasons. They have eggs in the nest now, so hopefully we'll have a lot more awesome photos from guests like this one to share with you throughout the summer.

Check the cruise schedule to book your excursion into "Tennessee's Grand Canyon."

At IMAX, Born to be Wild 3D is the must-see film this summer. Here's a sneak peek:

Thrill seekers might prefer the unbelievable surfing action in Ultimate Wave: Tahiti 3D which is also showing at IMAX.

There's a NEW visitors center in middle of the vibrant downtown Chattanooga district. It's a great place to discover the many "hidden treasures" and learn about what's new at the area's attractions.

Bob the Builder is a fun NEW exhibit at the Creative Discovery Museum. The exhibit invites families to spend time in Sunflower Valley with Bob the Builder, Wendy and the rest of the Can-Do Crew. Children can practice their own fixing with kid-smart activities that build up their can-do attitudes and encourage them to be an active part of Bob the Builder – Project: Build It. More hands-on fun at one of the top children's museums in the nation.

A Chattanooga Getaway wouldn't be complete without checking in at the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo. This weekend guests will enjoy an extra special treat: The Glenn Miller Orchestra will be performing tonight and Saturday night at 8 pm.

There are some great FREE music events over the weekend in Chattanooga as well. Starting tonight at Miller Plaza - NightFall Concert Series features Elizabeth & The Catapult with The Culprits. Here's a taste:

You could get a double dose of Big Band music Saturday. Sweet Georgia Sound will play the Chattanooga River Market on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza. Here's some video of their 2007 Riverbend Performance.

All of this activity will stir up your hunger. Treat your taste buds to some BBQ at the Chattanooga Market and enjoy the Dark Hollow Band.

There's more music atop Lookout Mountain. Check out the views and enjoy some tunes by the New Binkley Brothers during Rock City's Summer Music Weekends.

AND the Chattanooga Lookouts have several games scheduled versus the Huntsville Stars.
Whew! We're going to need another three day weekend to recover from all this fun. Hope to see you in Chattanooga this weekend!!!

How did you do that? Teaching a Tarantula to Walk Like a Weatherman

2011-05-24T11:30:00.000-04:00

How do you pack three birds, a woodchuck, hedgehog, box turtle, millipede and a tarantula into a tent and train them to exit single file? It’s easy if you borrow an old trick from your favorite TV meteorologist and employ lots of expert animal training.

When the Tennessee Aquarium wanted to create a fun television commercial to advertise Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari, they turned to some veterans with “out-of-the-box” production experience. Animal Instinct Advertising came up with a backyard camp out storyline. “What if some of the cool animals visitors meet at the Aquarium could come parading out of a tent at night?,” suggested Greg Newberry, president of Animal Instinct Advertising. On paper this concept sounded great, but it would take some talented animals and a lot of production wizardry to pull it off.

Since the animals couldn’t be taken out to someone’s backyard, a television set had to be built at the Aquarium. And this mini studio came complete with a chroma-key wall and matching floor. “We used an old weatherman’s trick and built a blue screen set,” said Newberry. “By filming the animals moving around on the blue screen we can make it appear as though they are coming out of the tent during post production.”

Actor W.C. Fields once quipped, “Never work with animals or children.” (He actually loved both.) His point was simple, filming can become challenging with talent that has other ideas about what’s fun or interesting. And, it’s a lot easier to encourage a child to deliver a line than to coax a tarantula to tiptoe on cue.

So the animal experts from the Tennessee Aquarium and Natural Encounters Incorporated took baby steps with the “stars” of this commercial. “We began by just spending some time introducing the animals to the blue background,” said Amy Graves. “At first we just bring the animals in to see the material. Once they learn that the bright color isn’t scary, we let them walk around on it for awhile.” Add in some tasty treats and their favorite items and pretty soon you’re ready to bring in the cameras.

On filming day, each animal was brought in by trainers and each creature hit their marks. “The box turtle loves to follow people’s fingers,” said Susie Grant, senior educator. “And the woodchuck loves yams, so he’s pretty easy to work with.”

Animal experts from Natural Encounters Inc. were able to coach a trumpeter hornbill, red-fronted macaw and toucan to fly on cue with various fruits and nuts. A millipede is a little bit of a challenge to motivate, but once you get the first of one thousand legs headed in the right direction, the rest will follow.

Chattanooga’s Atomic Films built the mini-studio at the Aquarium and captured all of the action. At one point, a red-fronted macaw decided to change direction and fly over the camera toward the back of the auditorium. On another occasion, the toucan decided to fly over and perch on the camera as if it was inspecting the focus of the shot. It seemed to be saying, “Make sure you get my good side.”

Hopefully people enjoy this new commercial almost as much as meeting the animals in person at the Aquarium.

Take a look and then come visit these cool critters at Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari!

The "Fishing Teacher" Lands A Big One

2011-05-17T14:10:00.001-04:00

Here's a fun "Fish Story" for you. It begins at Red Bank Elementary with Sam Simons, teacher and avid angler. Creative educators will use unconventional tools to motivate students. In Simons case, he uses out of the (tackle) box methods to encourage scholastic achievement. Every year he rewards his four best students with a fishing trip. So this past Saturday, Simons and friend Craig Smith took some excited students out on the Tennessee River to see what was biting. Imagine the feeling of being out on a boat, seeing your bobber disappear and then hearing your reel sing as a huge fish takes off like a rocket. Two of the kids landed lunker blue cats. One weighed 40 pounds, another tipped the scales at 48 pounds!

The smiles on these students faces tell the story of a great day on the water. Imagine being in their shoes and catching a fish that probably weighs half as much as yourself. But the real surprise wasn't what the kids caught. It was what their teacher caught on another outing that same weekend. Mr. Simons dropped a line in the river with a live shad on the hook for bait. A few moments later they all had a story to tell.

"I hooked a good fish after awhile and handed it to Dad, then it made a jump," said Sam. "I'm assuming, oh it's a nice sized smallmouth. I didn't see the jump, only heard it. Then, it peels a fair amount of drag. Dad gets tired after awhile and hands the rod to me. Now, we are below the railroad bridge. I am totally confused by this point, as it was big and agile, so I didn't think it was a drum or blue. It would have been a world record smallmouth. What is this? Dad gets his energy back and I pass the rod. We got the big surprise of the year, a sturgeon! Holy cow, what a fight and I have never held one before, only got to pet them at the Aquarium. It was really cool."

Simons photographed and released the lake sturgeon in a very healthy condition.

The Aquarium has been working with several agencies such as Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and World Wildlife Fund to restore these mighty fish to the Tennessee River. In fact, this catch and release helps illustrate the success of the Saving the Sturgeon program. Dr. Anna George, director of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, believes this particular fish was not part of a recent release in downtown Chattanooga. "This fish was smaller than those we released earlier this month," said Dr. George. "It's probably one of the fish released previously near Knoxville."

Lake sturgeon have been reported by fishermen as far downstream as Kentucky Lake. Further establishing the success of the Saving the Sturgeon program, but also indicating favorable conditions of the Tennessee River. Lake sturgeon cannot be harvested and must be immediately released. Possession of a lake sturgeon is against the law. But TWRA hopes anyone hooking a sturgeon will document the catch and share that information. "Angler reports of any Lake sturgeon catches are critical for monitoring the continued success of this important restoration program," said Jason Henegar, River and Streams Coordinator for TWRA's Fisheries Management Division.

Please report all lake sturgeon catches to TWRA Fish Management at 615-781-6573 or e-mail Henegar at jason.henegar@tn.gov .

Like any angler who reports a lake sturgeon catch, Mr. Simons will receive a numbered Lake Sturgeon Certificate featuring a color reproduction of a lake sturgeon drawn by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri. (We're guessing this will hang proudly in his classroom.)

Learn more about Red Bank Elementary's "Fishing Teacher" by reading this article by Richard Simms.

The Tennessee River is our source of drinking water. Hopefully people continue to help keep our waters clean for our use and all aquatic species and the terrestrial animals that depend on healthy habitat.

Earth Day Sturgeon Release

2011-05-04T11:27:00.000-04:00

As part of the Aquarium’s Earth Day celebrations, the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute released 35 lake sturgeon into the Tennessee River at Coolidge Park with the help of some enthusiastic students from IvyAcademy and UTC.

While most of the sturgeon are released in the fall at only six to eight inches, these larger fish (up to 18 pounds!) were held for a longer time because that increases their chances of survival in the wild. However, it takes more resources to hold them and they don't get as much time to learn how to be a wild fish, so strategies are used for this program. Even though they are six to seven years old, these fish are still juveniles. Lake sturgeon don’t reach reproductive maturity until they are teenagers, just like humans.

How many cameras can you spot in this picture? We're grateful for all the news stories we received.

Thanks to TWRA for their partnership and support! Lyle and Dan drove down from the Normandy hatchery to transport the fish for us, and Bobby Wilson (Chief of Fisheries) and Jason came down from Nashville to join the fun.

It's always nice to see the next generation of conservation biologists join us on the river for Earth Day!

Thanks to Anna George, Ph.D. for this post. Click here for more information about the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.

Rain Barrels Offered at Aquarium's Party for the Planet

2011-04-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

While we may feel rather soggy right now due to recent heavy rainfall, the weather pattern could leave us high and dry relatively soon. And we all know the importance of saving every drop during water shortages.

Last September, the United Way, ACE Hardware Stores and Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company launched a series of rain barrel workshops at the Tennessee Aquarium. Forty rain barrels were produced for Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy.

The plastic barrels, originally used to hold concentrate for producing drinks like Powerade, Minute-Maid drinks and Vitamin Water, have been finding their way into the community for several years as recycling and trash bins. But recently Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company has been bringing Coke's national rain barrel program to the Scenic-City helping stretch our water supply.

So the 5th grade students at CDESA have been busy creating sustainable art by decorating these water saving barrels.
We're told that students and volunteers have put in some long hours to produce these rain barrels and a document explaining how and why everyone should have at least one rain barrel at home.

The best part??? You could own one! Come to the Tennessee Aquarium's Party for the Planet this Saturday and you could own one of these specially decorated rain barrels for a donation to the Calvin Donaldson Fund. That's a pretty good deal. You'll support a great school and the environment in one gesture.

Just make sure you have room in your vehicle for the barrel. They are light-weight, but are full-sized barrels.

Easter Weekend Bunny Encounters at the Aquarium

2011-04-22T09:26:00.000-04:00

Hop on down to the Aquarium Easter weekend for a special opportunity to meet, and touch, an American sable rabbit. Our Animal Encounter specialists will introduce children to this adorable domestic rabbit species. They’ll discover that cute noses, beautiful eyes and soft ears are wonderful adaptations for sensing the natural world.

These sable rabbit animal encounter programs will be delivered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 22nd – 24th in the River Journey lower lobby near the Seahorse Gallery. Two sable programs will be offered each day at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

If you've ever wondered if the Easter Bunny is a rabbit or a hare, then eNature's blog has the answer in a rather entertaining and informative post.

Happy Easter!

Penguin Family Trees - Rooted in Science

2011-04-21T10:20:00.000-04:00

Gentoo penguins "Bug and Big T" at the Tennessee Aquarium.

One of the first questions Tennessee Aquarium visitors ask at Penguins' Rock is, "What are the penguins wearing?" Our docents usually begin by giving the short answer, "Flipper bands that help our aviculturists quickly identify individual birds." Often they go on to explain that for acute care, like if a penguin was observed favoring a foot, these bands help them locate that individual bird quickly for a closer examination.

For longer term care, flipper bands help keepers track each penguin's health history and family lineage. By recording the "genealogy" of each individual, aviculturists can ensure that related birds don't breed.

Animal husbandry, like any science, continues to grow as knowledge is added through research and experience. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA, has been leading the way in animal management programs for years. This collaboration of scientists has developed Species Survival Plans for all types of animals, including penguins. In some cases, drastic measures are needed. For example, some amphibians are so critically endangered in the wild, the only way to stop extinction is to bring the remaining few into captive breeding programs in hopes of saving the last animals from vanishing forever.

Fortunately that's not the case with most species seen at zoos and aquariums. However, AZA recognizes that for the long-term future of animal care, healthy and genetically diverse populations are needed. This will sustain the number of animal ambassadors and reduce the need for animals to be collected in the wild. And, these breeding programs work. If it weren't for a well-managed penguin program at SeaWorld, we wouldn't have a robust collection of gentoo and macaroni penguins in Chattanooga.

The Tennessee Aquarium is an AZA-accredited institution and we recognize the importance of this long-term sustainability strategy. Many of these new recommendations are being implemented now. Which brings us to this year's breeding plan.

After carefully examining the family trees of our birds and checking with the AZA penguin experts in charge of the gentoo and macaroni management plan, it was discovered there were only a few of our birds that have the genetic diversity best suited for long-term sustainability.

So with a few exceptions, any eggs produced this year will be replaced with artificial eggs much as we have done the past two years when eggs would get cracked in the nest or were infertile. By replacing the penguin eggs with replicas, the pairs still have the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors without interrupting other pairs in the colony. Whether an artificial egg or infertile egg, penguins will only stay on the roost for a certain amount of time and then move on. This behavior is the same on exhibit or within gentoo and macaroni colonies in the sub-Antarctic.

It's important to remember that many of our penguins are still relatively young and have collectively only produced one chick each season out of dozens of infertile eggs laid. "Pepper," a macaroni chick in 2009 and "Shivers," a gentoo chick last year.

At this point "Biscuit" and "Blue," the gentoo parents that successfully raised "Shivers" last year, are the only pair that meet the needs of the this year’s plan. So we'll wait to see if they add to their family tree this year.

We hope everyone understands that truly caring for animals involves much more than providing proper nutrition, suitable habitat and expert veterinary care. These animals also deserve well-planned breeding management that preserves healthy populations for generations.

Senior aviculturist Amy Graves holding one replica egg and one real egg.

Which is which? Both are roughly the same weight and have the same shell texture.

The left egg, marked with a red dot, is an eagle egg replica. "They are the same size and weight as a large macaroni egg or small gentoo egg," Graves said.

Rare pelican sightings in the Tennessee River Gorge

2011-04-13T16:37:00.000-04:00

We'd like to say a special, "Thank you" to Chattanooga photographer Bret Douglas for sharing these beautiful shots of American white pelicans that were seen recently in the Tennessee River Gorge. These gorgeous birds aren't usually seen near Chattanooga. In fact, their brief appearance here has been turning the heads of quite a few serious bird watchers.

According to Kevin Calhoon, the Aquarium's assistant curator of forests, these animals hardly ever appear in the Gorge. "They are a very rare species in Hamilton and Marion counties," said Calhoon. "They were seen all last week with a maximum number of ten. During that period, they seemed to spend most of their time below the Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage facility near the Tennessee River Gardens."

Perhaps these guys were blown off course by the lines of thunderstorms that have swept through the area recently, or maybe they simply chose a different route.

Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer naturalist John Dever brought these images to our attention. Unfortunately these particular birds were not sighted during any excursions as they were spotted further downstream from the Explorer's normal route. But they are the kind of sightings Dever and others are constantly pointing out to passengers.

Want to learn more about American white pelicans? You can see their normal migratory patterns and even listen to their vocalizations on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.

Born to be Wild 3D - Cute Baby Animals, Fun 3D and Inspiring Story

2011-04-08T15:02:00.000-04:00

We have been going ape for Born to be Wild 3D which opened today at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater. This beautifully produced film should be on everyone's "don't miss" list. You'll laugh at the playful antics of both baby orangutans and baby elephants, marvel over the wonderful scenery and be inspired by the compelling story of two women who have dedicated their lives to saving these endangered species.

IMAX has been working with National Wildlife Federation to produce a great educational guide. It's perfect for teachers who might wish to include this film in their school visit. But parents might have fun with their kids going through this fun-filled guide before and after seeing Born to be Wild 3D.

Feel like a snack??? Why not go bananas and make an orangutan snack?

Photo by National Wildlife Federation
The Signal Mountain Cookie Lady helped the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater launch Born to be Wild 3D with these yummy sugar cookies.

These workers were swinging like orangutans while installing an enormous banner on the front of the theater this morning. Hang on guys!

Seems that baby elephants and baby orangutans can be seen everywhere around the theater right now.

There are even a few hanging around outside that are catching some eyes.

Normally we would tell you to run, don't walk to see this film now. But.....it's o.k. if you want to do this on your way to see Born to be Wild 3D.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Findin' O the Green

2011-03-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patty’s Day! - Here is a tribute to a few of the Aquarium’s animals that won’t get pinched today.

Perhaps the first animal we think of is the green treefrog. These gorgeous amphibians can be found in the River Journey building. You'll spot them quite easily in Discovery Hall. And this time of year you might even hear them near your home. In the natural world they may be a lot more difficult to see. So listening for the male's mating call may be your only clue that one or more are nearby.

- Green Sea Turtles get their name from the green color of their flesh and fat (due to a mostly vegetarian diet)
- One of the Aquarium’s encounter animals is a Green Aracari, though his feathers are so dark they sometimes appear black
- In the Aquarium’s living coral exhibit, you will find a giant green anemone, which gets is coloration from symbiotic algae that live in the lining of its gut. When exposed to sunlight this anemone “farms” some of its nutrition from the material created by this algae.

Coral reefs may be the least appreciated, yet most valuable ecosystems in the world. We're pretty lucky to have these amazing creatures. Learn about NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.
- Also in this exhibit lives some green leaf coral, which is a type of montipora or small polyp stony coral. The polyps are so small that they appear fuzzy, which is why it is sometimes referred to as velvet coral.
- The queen triggerfish can be a range of colors from a bright green to a deep blue or almost purple shade. Queen triggerfish often snack on sea urchins, carefully flipping them to reach the most vulnerable part of the urchin, the mouth which has no spines.
- The Leafy seadragon is of course a shade of green… its leaf-life appendages help it to blend in well within a kelp bed. Although its color looks bright on the Aquarium exhibit, its greenish coloration appears dull in its natural habitat though.

Want to learn more about these or other Aquarium animals? Many more critter facts can be found on our Animal Pages: http://www.tnaqua.org/OurAnimals/OurAnimals.aspx

Wildlife Sightings aboard Spring Break Cruises

2011-03-15T12:02:00.003-04:00

The wildlife has been "WOW-ing" passengers aboard the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer lately. Spring is in the air and apparently people aren't the only creatures who appreciate the pleasant weather. Aquarium naturalist John Dever forwarded these remarkable shots from yesterday's cruise. That's right, all of these sightings were in ONE DAY! This bald eagle seems happy to pose for pictures while passengers were observing the majestic bird from the topside observation deck.

Dever says this group of buffleheads was the first such sighting of these birds he can remember on a cruise. Looks like this family was out enjoying the sunshine.

And once again, the osprey family is busy building a nest for their next clutch of eggs. Last year the parents successfully raised four chicks, inspiring passengers every day throughout the spring and summer.

Typically one osprey can be observed in a tree near the nest site while the parent is tending to the nest or, later in the season, their chicks. Frequently guests are able to hear these awesome birds vocalizing. Listen to a sample of their calls on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.

Look closely at this shot and you'll understand why ospreys are sometimes referred to as "fish hawks." Looks like a lunch of largemouth bass is about to be served on this perch above the river.

Thanks to Nancy Miller from Woodlands, TX for sharing these great photos with everyone.

The Williams Island Family Adventure cruises run through April 17th.

Check out our complete cruise schedule to book your excursion into "Tennessee's Grand Canyon."

Hyacinth Highway at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-03-14T13:26:00.004-04:00

Sometimes aviculturists at the Tennessee Aquarium use special construction skills. The other day Loribeth Aldrich and Amy Graves spent some time engineering a new hyacinth highway. About three or four times of year, they have to replace the grapevine that the macaws use as travel corridors. Apparently these parrots think their roads are rather tasty. "They will peel it, play with it and chew on it," said senior aviculturist Amy Graves. "They actually chewed through a piece that was one of their main routes from tree to tree. So we're replacing it with a nice solid pathway."

This new multi-lane "treeway" is more than just an expressway for commuting from perch to perch. The new grapevine is so completely different than what the birds are used to that it can be considered enrichment for them. "Now they have to learn the easiest way to get from place to place within the exhibit," said aviculturist Loribeth Aldrich. "There's also a lot more vine than we've had in here in awhile. They're going to have a lot of places to duck and climb that they didn't have before."

As with many transportation projects, materials are sometimes brought in from distant locations. In this case, the road bed came from Northeast Tennessee. "The vine comes from my in-laws property in Roane County," said Graves. "Whenever we go to visit them, I enroll my husband's help to collect a large amount of grape vine. We need to make sure that the property that the vine comes from does not have any chemical treatment on it or on the lawn adjacent to it."

Even though the hyacinths love to perform for visitors, they aren't exactly bold explorers. They tend to be Sunday drivers the first time they are introduced a new highway such as this. "They will sit on their perch and look at it at first, but once they begin to explore it they are going to love it," said Aldrich.

Free Trees at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-03-03T13:10:00.004-05:00

(Left to Right: Tennessee Aquarium lead horticulturist Christine Bock with volunteers Jane Corn and Margaret Davis pose in the Cove Forest exhibit with some of the trees to be given away.)

Packaged with planting instructions, black oak and American Plum seedlings await new homes in the lawns of Aquarium visitors.

500 seedlings will be given away in a Tennessee Aquarium Arbor Day tradition.

Tennessee Aquarium visitors looking to add a stately shade tree or flowering fruit tree to their lawn will receive a free seedling on Friday, March 4th. “These trees will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s yard,” said Aquarium lead horticulturist Christine Bock. “We have chosen two native species that should do well with minimal effort.”

Each year the City of Chattanooga celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday in March. For the past six years, the Tennessee Aquarium has offered free trees to visitors to mark the occasion. This year, perhaps more than others, area residents may be seeking trees. “Unfortunately, many people lost beautiful trees to the damaging winds and tornadoes that rolled through on Monday,” said Bock. “These American Plum and Black Oak seedlings will turn out to be great trees in the years to come.”

The American Plum, Prunus Americana, grows to heights of 20 feet and features attractive white blooms for about two weeks in April. These blooms attract butterflies. “The plums the tree produces are relatively small,” said Bock. “They will attract birds and are quite tasty, especially when made into jelly.” Bock says if residents keep these seedlings watered during dry times the first year, they should become established rather quickly. In the wild, these plum trees are commonly found in thickets near streams.

The black oak, Quercus velutina, grows to heights of 80 feet with a darker trunk than most oaks. “Black oaks are not as common in this area as other oak trees,” said Bock. “But these majestic trees can be found on both Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain”. The acorns these trees produce are an important food for a variety of animals including white-tailed deer, squirrels, blue jays and turkeys. Black oaks also provide shelter for a variety of animals including wood ducks and barred owls.

The Aquarium has 500 tree seedlings to give to visitors at the River Journey Gift Shop entrance beginning at 10:00 am on Friday, March 4th. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Doctor, Diver, Dog Sledder

2011-03-01T14:36:00.002-05:00

You are always greeted with a smile when you first meet Dr. Jim Bardoner. And frequently, his jovial nature and hearty laugh lift the spirits of those around him. In short, he's a great guy. The Tennessee Aquarium is fortunate that he's part of the volunteer dive program. As if diving with the sharks inside the Secret Reef exhibit wasn't enough adventure, Jim has been training for the Iditarod. Billed as "The Last Great Race on Earth," the Iditarod is a dogsled race that covers 1,150 miles of wilderness between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. The terrain is both beautiful and rugged and the teams will cover the entire route in just 17 days. Let's put this in perspective. Nights are still pretty long here, and as this is being typed, the air temperature in Wasilla, Alaska is a mild 19 degrees above zero Fahrenheit at midday. So this is an amazing journey Jim will begin on Saturday, March 5th with his team of dogs.

According to the official Iditarod website, each musher like Jim will have to carry certain pieces of equipment: an arctic parka, a heavy sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, musher food, dog food and boots for each dog’s feet to protect against cutting ice and hard packed snow injuries. The mushers can work out the race details according to his or her chosen tactics. "Each one has a different strategy — some run in the daylight, some run at night. Each one has a different training schedule and his own ideas on dog care, dog stamina and his own personal ability."

Before heading to Atlanta to catch his flight to Alaska, Dr. B. shared a few thoughts with friends about this adventure via e-mail. "Everyone who has ever run this thing says it is a life changing experience, and they didn't even do it with God. I cannot imagine what it will be like for me or how I will be changed. I only know/believe God is in this for a greater purpose," Dr. Bardoner wrote.

"Please pray for my safety and success, but even more that through this life changing experience I and my family will draw much closer to God. I will be praying for all of you for the same thing."

Check out Jim's training blog to see how hard he's been working to make this incredible journey. You can follow Jim's progress by going to the Iditarod website. If you sign up for the insider you can follow his progress in real time with the GPS units that are attached to the sleds. Jim said, "That lets you know where I am, but not me."

Good luck Jim! We look forward to hearing about this race extraordinaire.

Chattanooga's Cake Aces - Penguins and More

2011-02-24T14:34:00.004-05:00

We've received some e-mails about the fantastic cakes at the 3rd Annual Formal Affair Bridal Show. Chattanooga was the theme and many did wonderful renditions of the Tennessee Aquarium's River Journey building.

It's truly amazing what these creative people are able to do with a relatively simple list of ingredients. If you've ever seen Ace of Cakes on the Food Network, then you have an appreciation of the time and talent it takes to design a "killer cake" like these. The cake below was designed by one of the Aquarium's event caterers, 212 Market.

Duff Goldman must have had a difficult time judging these entries. Many of them lived up to the standards set by Duff's Charm City Cakes.

With butterflies clinging to the "glass" peaks and penguins sneaking out a side door, the Aquarium cake seen above produced a lot of smiles.

Of course, many also included a tip of the hat to Volkswagen Group of America's new Chattanooga Operations. This cake is uber cool. (We love the fact a penguin is hitch-hiking on the roof of this VW Bug.)

A most impressive display of the Chattanooga Choo Choo and their famous courtyard.

This vertical design was amazing. But seriously, how would you cut and serve a cake such as this?

In the end, the above cake was the winning entry. Congrats to all of the competitors. Read some of Duff Goldman's advice to brides-to-be here.

These cakes inspire us to have some fun on that special day. Brides-to-be might not realize the Tennessee Aquarium is an awesome place to hold your wedding, reception or rehearsal dinner. Outdoor on the Aquarium Plaza with the Tennessee River as a backdrop, or within River Journey or Ocean Journey surrounded by animals, wedding ceremonies become fun, unique and memorable for everyone.

Check out the image above. It shows that a tropical destination wedding is possible in Downtown Chattanooga. (One way to have your cake and eat it too!)

Alex's Big Day at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-02-21T09:35:00.005-05:00

It was fun giving Alex Schneider and his family a tour of the Tennessee Aquarium recently. The family traveled to Chattanooga from Toronto, Canada so Alex could help another family in need. The seven-year-old has had a challenging life, suffering from a rare blood disorder. But Alex is a tough little guy with a big heart. He's also a huge fan of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The family watches every episode and frequently enjoys watching tapes of the show together. And now, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Schneider family will be part of the show. Alex, his dad Adam, mom Helena and sister Alisha not only got to help build the Sharrock home in Rossville, Georgia - they also got to meet the show's star, Ty Pennington.

But even Ty might have taken a backseat to the Tennessee Aquarium's penguins. When asked if he'd like to meet a penguin, Alex seemed excited and said, "Yes." Several of the birds made a behind-the-scenes appearance to paint for the Schneiders.

Alex's favorite color is red, so the penguins used that and mixed in a little purple to create some new masterpieces for the seven-year-old to enjoy at home.

But penguin painting wasn't the only activity the Schneiders got to observe. They were treated to many of the experiences Keeper Kids will enjoy during Spring Break.

Here animal encounter specialist Lindsay Rogers introduces the Schneiders to Chattanooga Chuck, the Aquarium's groundhog. They also got to meet an opossum, a toucan and a really big snake which Alex really enjoyed.

The whole family enjoyed watching the big, toothy sharks in the Secret Reef exhibit. (We managed to capture one swimming directly overhead in the first shot.) And Alex really had fun meeting volunteer SCUBA divers John Herman and Brian Akins. They are among the nearly 200 volunteer divers who help keep the exhibits looking great, feed some of the animals and talk with visitors during interactive dive shows.

Thom Demas, the Aquarium's curator of fishes, brought out some newborn seahorses to show the Schneiders and other guests in the Seahorse gallery.

These tiny "steeds of the deep" were literally born a few hours earlier. Demas explained how these animals eat and live at the Aquarium. You can see another batch of seahorses being born at the Tennessee Aquarium in this video.

Alex and his sister also got a chance to meet aquarist Jake Steventon and help feed our Arapaima. These guys are among the largest freshwater fish we have on display. You can see these guys in the Flooded Amazon exhibit across the way from our giant blue catfish. We hope Alex and his family had as much fun visiting the Tennessee Aquarium as we had showing them around.

Colt Ford at the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-02-17T12:35:00.003-05:00

Thanks to US101 for bringing Colt Ford to Chattanooga to help raise funds for the Sharrock Family. Michael, Cindy and Patrick Sharrock will soon have a new home thanks to ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the generosity of thousands of people.

Proceeds from Ford's sold-out concert inside the Tennessee Aquarium's River Journey Auditorium will help pave the way for a new life for the Sharrocks.

Once the glasses went on, Colt absolutely rocked the house with his brand of toe-tappin' country. He thrilled the audience with many of his hit songs, stopping along the way to field questions from the audience.
Entertainers get paid to bring audiences to their feet. But when you witness a Colt Ford performance, you can tell he and the other band members are having as much fun as their fans. It takes people with big hearts to take time out of their busy schedules to play a benefit concert such as this.

The official theme for this Extreme Makeover is "Big Hearts Wear Hard Hats," but for at least one night that changed slightly to Big Hearts Wear Cowboy Hats.

Colt didn't leave the Aquarium until he had posed with every fan and signed autographs for every single person in attendance.

Colt mentioned how much he enjoys the Tennessee Aquarium. "I love it," said Ford. "I bring my kids here all the time."

Thanks for coming to Chattanooga and being a celebrity who's willing to lend your special gift of talent to help a worthy cause.

Valentine's Day - An Underwater Love Story

2011-02-11T06:00:00.002-05:00

If you think romance is complicated, you'll be comforted by the fact that love in the natural world can be much more challenging than anything humans will ever go through. Such is the case with the octopus. Many people may think these sea creatures have it made. With so many suction cups, Lionel Richey's "Stuck On You" might come to mind. Of course, there's also eight arms that might leave others thinking of Fleetwood Mac and "Hold Me." But it's matters of the heart, not appendages, that make the octopus an unusual Valentine's Day story.

Have you ever heard someone say, "My heart skipped a beat the moment I laid eyes on her." The male octopus can relate. Tennessee Aquarium outreach educator Bethany Lloyd shares this information attributed to: M. J. Wells (1979). The heartbeat of Octopus vulgaris Journal of Experimental Biology (78), 87-104

"The octopus has some amazing hearts," said Lloyd. "There are three of them: two branchial hearts to pump blood through vessels in the gills and one systemic heart that takes blood from the gills to the rest of the body. The two branchial hearts beat simultaneously and the systemic heart contracts after the branchials."

"The systemic heart also does something very strange when an octopus gets excited or startled," said Lloyd. "In Octopus vulgaris, the systemic heart skips beats, pausing long enough to be considered a very temporary cardiac arrest. Luckily, having three hearts is helpful during these arrest episodes, as the two remaining hearts will continue beating and pick up the slack. Fittingly enough for Valentine’s Day, this cardiac arrest happens during mating; in the lab, the hearts of male octopuses have been shown to skip beats when a female octopus enters the tank, when copulation begins, and each time a spermatophore (sperm packet) is passed from the male to the female. However, considering that all cephalopod mating can be fraught with violence (sharp beaks can leave wounds much more serious than “love bites”) and is a fleeting connection between individuals, the heart skipping beats is very likely not a “romantic” gesture. In humans and other mammals, hearts tend to speed up when an individual is excited, not stop."

At the Tennessee Aquarium, our giant Pacific octopuses get a lot of love from our keepers. Not only are their basic requirements taken care of, aquarists like Danny Alexander make sure they get enrichment activities. These animals are very intelligent, so they need toys and puzzles to keep their minds stimulated. So we gave one of our giant Pacific octopus an underwater video camera to play with for awhile. It places the viewer in the embrace of this amazing creature.

With three hearts and eight, sucker-filled arms to wrap around you, what's not to love about an octopus? So it may be fitting to share this musical tribute by Dalmation Rex and the Eigentones.

Groundhog Day Forecast 2011

2011-02-02T10:50:00.002-05:00

Either people are going to think, "Oh boy!" or "Uh-oh!" when they see Chattanooga Chuck's prediction. Judging by his expression in this picture, taken shortly after seeing his shadow, it may be more like, "Yikes!"

Chattanooga Chuck’s 2011 Groundhog Day Forecast

Predicting the weather is said to be a groundhog’s calling,
but other animals may know when the barometer’s falling.
Before causing spring fever or winter delirium,
I checked with my pals at the Tennessee Aquarium.
The catfish had unusually thick belly skin,
a sign of cold winter to a woodchuck’s chagrin.
The sharks were all smiles and seemed to behave,
It’s said they go to sea before a cold wave.
Hundreds of butterflies thought my plight was quite funny.
“Silly groundhog,” they said. “Who avoids weather that’s sunny?”
“Today I do,” I began to exclaim.
“If I see my shadow – I’ll get the blame.”
No one wants six more weeks of what we’ve just had.
Except for the penguins who would be perfectly glad.
Just then my heart got a gigantic boost,
my amphibian friends were awake on their roost.
The Aquarium’s tree frogs were loudly calling galore,
old proverbs say that means weather changes in store.
Croak three times and I’ll know winter has broken.
Once, twice and that’s all that was spoken.
Macaws like to talk, but they couldn’t say,
If spring would arrive or winter would stay.
So I climbed on my perch of old hickory log,
and chuckled at the sight of a large prairie dog.
He looked mighty big staring at me from below,
No pup looking up - it must be my shadow!
I’ll stay warm if Old Man Winter won’t give in to defeat,
enjoying six more weeks of shut-eye in my underground retreat.

Chattanooga Chuck
Resident Rodent Forecaster
Tennessee Aquarium

Seahorse Dads Give Birth To Stampede Of Babies

2011-01-31T15:58:00.003-05:00

Seahorses are fascinating creatures for a variety of reasons, but one fact stands out among the rest - seahorse dads give live birth. And unlike many other animals, these proud pappas give new meaning to multiple births. Forget Octo-mom, seahorse dads are parental super heroes. Check out this cell phone video taken recently by Carol Haley, the Tennessee Aquarium's assistant curator of fishes.

You can't really predict when these guys are going to release their young, so it's hard to get a better camera in place when this happens. Even so, it's pretty amazing.

These baby lined seahorses are tiny, so we placed a toothbrush in the shot to give everyone a sense of scale.

These little guys have been stirring up a huge amount of interest, so here's an update from aquarist Elaine Robinson.

In the video, you’ll notice the babies racing away from dad towards the surface. There’s a reason for that according to Robinson. “When they are born, Hippocampus erectus fry swim quickly to the surface of the water to gulp air for the primary phase of swim bladder inflation,” said Robinson. “Lined seahorses tend to be pelagic, drifting near the surface of the water, in search of their prey.”

In the wild, breeding season for this species usually lasts from March until October, but the Tennessee Aquarium usually has H. erectus being born throughout the year. “They are capable of brood sizes of several hundred,” said Robinson. “But we usually only see numbers between 50 and 100 at the Tennessee aquarium. The number usually depends on the size, experience and health of the parents. Male seahorses are able to breed again within days of giving birth. We usually have H. erectus born about once every few weeks, but more often during the official breeding season.”

Once the juvenile seahorses reach maturity, the Tennessee Aquarium uses them to re-stock exhibits or donate them to other AZA-accredited institutions. “Most recently, we donated some to The Nashville Zoo and The Memphis Zoo,” said Robinson.

Cabin Fever, Sugar Cookies and a Charismatic Turtle

2011-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's always fun to hear how a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium can capture the imagination and inspire individuals to view nature in a different light. "Oscar," one of the Aquarium's green sea turtles, is a prime example of an animal that many people connect with in a special way.

We get a lot of questions about Oscar. He came to the Tennessee Aquarium from the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, Florida. This little turtle was in trouble when he was found on May 1st, 2003. He was missing his tail, right rear flipper and about a third of his left rear flipper. The wound on the right rear flipper was most likely an old injury, because it had already healed. He also had a deep cut from a boat propeller that slashed deeply into the top of his shell and into the bottom of his shell. When he was discovered, Oscar was covered with stringy, green hair algae from head to toe making him look like the Sesame Street character Oscar the Grouch.

After being nursed back to health in Florida, Oscar was brought to live at the Tennessee Aquarium in 2005 where he has more room to move about and grow. As with many turtles that have been hit by a boat, Oscar has buoyancy control issues. But as you'll learn in this video Oscar, and the Aquarium's other green sea turtle Stewie, get plenty of expert care and are quite at home with the other reef creatures they live with.

The recent winter weather has given some people reasons to visit the Aquarium's Ocean Journey building for a tropical retreat away from the snow and ice. Others, turned cabin fever into cabin fun while recalling a recent Aquarium visit.
Such is the case with Joel. On a recent visit with his parents, he learned about many of the Aquarium creatures, including Oscar. Joel's mother describes the lasting impression their visit:
"My son is a sympathetic soul and was touched by Oscar's story and it didn't hurt that he heard it from the diver in the tank! When we went to look for a souvenir, we found a turtle shaped cookie cutter. When I was taking the cookies off the cookie sheet, I accidentally tore the back feet off the cookie, but we decided that one would be Oscar. We had a great time decorating the cookies and shared the cookies plus stories from the aquarium with our neighbor friend. I also have lots of pictures of my son running to the next exhibit because he was so excited to see all the animals plus a picture of him shielding a butterfly from the fans keeping them in the exhibit because he didn't want it to have to work too hard to stay on the flower. Like I said, he's a sympathetic soul!" - Iris, Bremen, GA

Thanks for sharing your story and picture with us. We hope you'll visit again soon!

Penguin Seen Outside the Tennessee Aquarium

2011-01-12T09:27:00.003-05:00

Some people have wondered if a march of the penguins would be possible on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza while downtown Chattanooga resembles Antarctica.

Although it’s true that gentoo and macaronis prefer snow and cold, Aquarium aviculturists say there are two big reasons why a snow day outside Penguins’ Rock would not be a good idea. “There are definite quarantine issues,” said senior aviculturist Amy Graves. “We work very hard to ensure that no harmful fungus or bacteria gets into the exhibit, so we could never allow our cold-climate penguins to venture outside.”

The second reason a snow day outside would be a no-no has to do with containment. “Penguins are incredibly fast, especially on slippery surfaces,” said Graves. “They’re feet are made for snow and ice and ours are not.”

Penguin keepers also say that while gentoos could brave the frigid temperatures forecast in the upcoming days, macaronis prefer it a bit warmer. “Our macaronis would have a difficult time adjusting to extended periods of time in the single digits or teens,” said Graves.

So to put a smile on the faces of those who have asked about a penguin snow day, Aquarium staffers sculpted a penguin out of snow. Named Shivers after the youngest gentoo, this bird with yellow beak and happy feet stands outside the Ocean Journey building. Already, it has proven to be a new photo-op location for Aquarium visitors.

Shivers the snow penguin may be around through Friday as Chattanooga’s high temperature is not expected to get above freezing before then.

Warm Up Inside - Tennessee Aquarium is open.

2011-01-11T10:27:00.003-05:00

The Tennessee Aquarium is open today. After a day spent shoveling snow, it was nice to be surrounded by tropical warmth and bright color inside Ocean Journey.

For many people, driving will remain hazardous for quite awhile if the weather turns out as forecast. For others, life is slowly returning to normal.

If you happen to venture to the Aquarium for a photo safari today, or in the coming days, here's a tip. If your camera lens gets cold, you may experience a foggy lens. This is especially true in the warm and humid Butterfly Garden. To counter this, simply walk back to the entrance to the exhibit and hold your camera up to the blowers by the door. Usually the lens will warm and the fog will dissipate in a couple of minutes. This also helps you avoid scratching the lens or damaging the lens coating.

These brightly colored tropical fish were a welcome change to the blanket of white outside the Aquarium.

(Click this photo to see the full-sized image of the maroon clown fish. The detail reveals the scales on this gorgeous fish.)

Aquarium Closed Monday 1/10/2011

2011-01-10T09:32:00.003-05:00

Due to the heavy snow in the Chattanooga area, the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theater will be closed today. We will reopen tomorrow. Photos by Andree Herbert