Andrew
11-20-2003, 11:45 AM
Make sure to visit the newly designed and expanded What's New page on our web site for photos and visuals for many of these stories.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
1. EXHIBIT NEWS: AVOCETS, PLOVERS AND BABY MOON JELLIES
Four new birds are joining the flock in the Sandy Shore Aviary. We added a pair of American avocets that arrived from the Baltimore Zoo. They were captive-bred in 1991 at Sea World of San Diego and sent to the Baltimore Zoo as juveniles.
New to the exhibit on Friday (Nov. 21) will be two male
semipalmated plovers, recent arrivals from the New England Aquarium. The ruddy turnstone and semipalmated sandpipers in our exhibit also came here from Boston and had been displayed with these plovers at one time.
And a final bird note: The variety of birds visible from our
decks is increasing as our winter residents start arriving from their breeding grounds inland and to the north. The first grebes of the season were spotted last week. Ask our volunteer guides about other sightings.
For the first time, our aquarists have cultured our local moon jelly species (Aurelia labiata). You'll find ephyrae and young medusae on display in the Nearshore Galleries as you exit "Splash Zone," in the middle and right exhibits that display the moon jelly life cycle. Dating back to 1985, when we first displayed moon jellies, all the moon jellies we've displayed have been the Atlantic species (Aurelia aurita).
Look for courting and mating behaviors among the five large cuttlefish in the Octopus & Kin gallery. This group is nearly halfway through its short life cycle.
Visit Exhibit Updates on our web site to learn about other new arrivals in our exhibits.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_exhibits/vi_ex_update.asp>
2. ON THE BAY: AS BIG AS A WHALE
Now is a great time to see different whales in Monterey Bay. In recent weeks, a sperm whale has been visiting, possibly to feed on giant squid also showing up in the bay. You can still find humpback whales, which dazzle people with their acrobatics, and blue whales, the largest mammals on Earth. But keep an eye out for gray whales, which in November begin their annual migration from Alaska south to calving lagoons in Baja California. Peak migration occurs around February.
In cooperation with the aquarium, Sanctuary Cruises (Moss Landing Harbor) and Monterey Whale Watching (Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey) offer aquarium members a special discount on all their whale watching cruises. In addition, a portion of their proceeds is given to the aquarium to help support our conservation research and education programs.
Stay overnight when you go on a whale watching trip and you can take advantage of the seasonal "Holiday Bounty from Monterey County." More than 20 area hotels are offering "stay for free" deals where guests receive a second night free. We have our own "Holiday Bounty" offer: Half-off on a second adult admission when you purchase one admission ticket between November 1 and January 30, 2004 (with online coupon). There are great "Holiday Bounty" offers from other area attractions and merchants, too. For details and to get your coupons, visit http://www.montereyinfo.org and click on "Free Nights and More."
For more about whales and whale watching:
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whalewatching.asp>
3. AT THE AQUARIUM: MEET THE PENGUIN, NOV 24-26
Before Thanksgiving, you can get up close and personal with a different kind of bird. On Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, November 24, 25 and 26, we'll present "Meet the Penguin" at 11:30 a.m. and noon in "Splash Zone." This special program will star three of our 15 South African blackfooted penguins. At each short program, one will waddle out in front of the penguin exhibit with a "penguinologist," who will answer questions about these cool birds.
Children under 12 years old will receive a free penguin coloring sheet and crayons at each presentation, and can have their picture taken with a costumed penguin character. We'll have special discounts on penguin merchandise, too. You can preview the program online.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_promotions.asp>
4. NEW ON THE WEB: WHAT’S NEW GUIDE
We've revised and expanded the online "What’s New?" section to bring you all the latest aquarium news in an easy-to-read format. Now you'll find information about new animals in our exhibits, upcoming special events, conservation issues, online activities for kids and families, beautiful photos, visitor questions (and our answers) and more--a whole page devoted to the latest and greatest.
"What’s New?" will be updated more frequently than in the past to keep information fresh for regular web visitors. Traffic to our web site has increased dramatically in the past two years. We expect more than 3 million people to visit in 2003, the second year in a row when we've had more "virtual" visitors than came to the aquarium in person. Their favorite pages? Our Seafood Watch program, our five live web cams, and our printable family activities.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
5. UPCOMING EVENTS: NEW YEAR’S PARTY, HOLIDAY PARTY, CELEBRATING SHARKS
New Year’s Eve Party, December 31, Wednesday
New Year’s Eve will shimmer as never before at our gala New Year’s Eve party on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (optional strolling gourmet dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). You'll enjoy live music by Larry Lynch and the Mob, a popular Bay Area dance band, as you celebrate in our exhibit galleries.
The party includes no-host bars for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dessert, plus a champagne toast, noisemakers, door prizes, midnight countdown, balloon drop and other surprises. The optional candlelight dinner in the Outer Bay galleries precedes the main event.
Tickets to the party are $50/person ($40/person for aquarium members). The party plus optional dinner costs $130/person ($105 for members). We've also arranged special overnight rates at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.
Look for details and reservation information in What’s New:
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
-----
Holiday Office Party, December 18, Thursday; 7:15 p.m.-midnight
Host your office party in our exhibit galleries with other
businesses--at an affordable price. Strolling buffet dinner, no-host bar, DJ music and dancing; special room rates at Asilomar oceanfront retreat, with packages that include children’s activities during the party. $80/person; $75/person for 20 or more; hotel accommodations not included.
-----
Celebrating Sharks, January 24-25, Saturday-Sunday,
Watch for details on our web site about this special event. The weekend will include special auditorium programs, shark feeding shows and a chance to win a preview of our upcoming special exhibition, "Sharks: Myth and Mystery."
Our online calendar has details and more events.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_calendar.asp>
6. CONSERVATION IN ACTION: WHITE SHARK RESEARCH UPDATE
Our white shark research team placed three electronic tags on young white sharks in Southern California this year, and we've now recovered data from two of the tags. A third should return its data in December.
The first tag washed ashore in Manhattan Beach and was recovered by a man walking home along the beach. The second began transmitting data via satellite to our researchers after surfacing off the Pacific coast of Baja California. All three tags record information about depths in which the sharks swam, the water temperatures they favored, and some data on their movements along the coast. We hope to use the data to assist fisheries managers, and to determine if we can some day keep a
young white shark at the aquarium.
The project team heads back into the field next summer.
You can learn more in the Conservation & Research section of our web site <http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/whiteshark.asp>.
7. FREE OFFERS: GIFT STORE & PORTOLA DISCOUNTS, ANEMONE WALLPAPER
This month's Sea Notes specials include 10% off a stuffed animal over $9.95, a coupon good for 10% off the served menu in the Portola Cafe's Bay View Lounge and Oyster Bar from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and free wallpaper of a beautiful burrowing anemone.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp>
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium "Sea Notes" newsletter/press release.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
1. EXHIBIT NEWS: AVOCETS, PLOVERS AND BABY MOON JELLIES
Four new birds are joining the flock in the Sandy Shore Aviary. We added a pair of American avocets that arrived from the Baltimore Zoo. They were captive-bred in 1991 at Sea World of San Diego and sent to the Baltimore Zoo as juveniles.
New to the exhibit on Friday (Nov. 21) will be two male
semipalmated plovers, recent arrivals from the New England Aquarium. The ruddy turnstone and semipalmated sandpipers in our exhibit also came here from Boston and had been displayed with these plovers at one time.
And a final bird note: The variety of birds visible from our
decks is increasing as our winter residents start arriving from their breeding grounds inland and to the north. The first grebes of the season were spotted last week. Ask our volunteer guides about other sightings.
For the first time, our aquarists have cultured our local moon jelly species (Aurelia labiata). You'll find ephyrae and young medusae on display in the Nearshore Galleries as you exit "Splash Zone," in the middle and right exhibits that display the moon jelly life cycle. Dating back to 1985, when we first displayed moon jellies, all the moon jellies we've displayed have been the Atlantic species (Aurelia aurita).
Look for courting and mating behaviors among the five large cuttlefish in the Octopus & Kin gallery. This group is nearly halfway through its short life cycle.
Visit Exhibit Updates on our web site to learn about other new arrivals in our exhibits.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_exhibits/vi_ex_update.asp>
2. ON THE BAY: AS BIG AS A WHALE
Now is a great time to see different whales in Monterey Bay. In recent weeks, a sperm whale has been visiting, possibly to feed on giant squid also showing up in the bay. You can still find humpback whales, which dazzle people with their acrobatics, and blue whales, the largest mammals on Earth. But keep an eye out for gray whales, which in November begin their annual migration from Alaska south to calving lagoons in Baja California. Peak migration occurs around February.
In cooperation with the aquarium, Sanctuary Cruises (Moss Landing Harbor) and Monterey Whale Watching (Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey) offer aquarium members a special discount on all their whale watching cruises. In addition, a portion of their proceeds is given to the aquarium to help support our conservation research and education programs.
Stay overnight when you go on a whale watching trip and you can take advantage of the seasonal "Holiday Bounty from Monterey County." More than 20 area hotels are offering "stay for free" deals where guests receive a second night free. We have our own "Holiday Bounty" offer: Half-off on a second adult admission when you purchase one admission ticket between November 1 and January 30, 2004 (with online coupon). There are great "Holiday Bounty" offers from other area attractions and merchants, too. For details and to get your coupons, visit http://www.montereyinfo.org and click on "Free Nights and More."
For more about whales and whale watching:
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whalewatching.asp>
3. AT THE AQUARIUM: MEET THE PENGUIN, NOV 24-26
Before Thanksgiving, you can get up close and personal with a different kind of bird. On Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, November 24, 25 and 26, we'll present "Meet the Penguin" at 11:30 a.m. and noon in "Splash Zone." This special program will star three of our 15 South African blackfooted penguins. At each short program, one will waddle out in front of the penguin exhibit with a "penguinologist," who will answer questions about these cool birds.
Children under 12 years old will receive a free penguin coloring sheet and crayons at each presentation, and can have their picture taken with a costumed penguin character. We'll have special discounts on penguin merchandise, too. You can preview the program online.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_promotions.asp>
4. NEW ON THE WEB: WHAT’S NEW GUIDE
We've revised and expanded the online "What’s New?" section to bring you all the latest aquarium news in an easy-to-read format. Now you'll find information about new animals in our exhibits, upcoming special events, conservation issues, online activities for kids and families, beautiful photos, visitor questions (and our answers) and more--a whole page devoted to the latest and greatest.
"What’s New?" will be updated more frequently than in the past to keep information fresh for regular web visitors. Traffic to our web site has increased dramatically in the past two years. We expect more than 3 million people to visit in 2003, the second year in a row when we've had more "virtual" visitors than came to the aquarium in person. Their favorite pages? Our Seafood Watch program, our five live web cams, and our printable family activities.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
5. UPCOMING EVENTS: NEW YEAR’S PARTY, HOLIDAY PARTY, CELEBRATING SHARKS
New Year’s Eve Party, December 31, Wednesday
New Year’s Eve will shimmer as never before at our gala New Year’s Eve party on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (optional strolling gourmet dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). You'll enjoy live music by Larry Lynch and the Mob, a popular Bay Area dance band, as you celebrate in our exhibit galleries.
The party includes no-host bars for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dessert, plus a champagne toast, noisemakers, door prizes, midnight countdown, balloon drop and other surprises. The optional candlelight dinner in the Outer Bay galleries precedes the main event.
Tickets to the party are $50/person ($40/person for aquarium members). The party plus optional dinner costs $130/person ($105 for members). We've also arranged special overnight rates at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.
Look for details and reservation information in What’s New:
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp>
-----
Holiday Office Party, December 18, Thursday; 7:15 p.m.-midnight
Host your office party in our exhibit galleries with other
businesses--at an affordable price. Strolling buffet dinner, no-host bar, DJ music and dancing; special room rates at Asilomar oceanfront retreat, with packages that include children’s activities during the party. $80/person; $75/person for 20 or more; hotel accommodations not included.
-----
Celebrating Sharks, January 24-25, Saturday-Sunday,
Watch for details on our web site about this special event. The weekend will include special auditorium programs, shark feeding shows and a chance to win a preview of our upcoming special exhibition, "Sharks: Myth and Mystery."
Our online calendar has details and more events.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_calendar.asp>
6. CONSERVATION IN ACTION: WHITE SHARK RESEARCH UPDATE
Our white shark research team placed three electronic tags on young white sharks in Southern California this year, and we've now recovered data from two of the tags. A third should return its data in December.
The first tag washed ashore in Manhattan Beach and was recovered by a man walking home along the beach. The second began transmitting data via satellite to our researchers after surfacing off the Pacific coast of Baja California. All three tags record information about depths in which the sharks swam, the water temperatures they favored, and some data on their movements along the coast. We hope to use the data to assist fisheries managers, and to determine if we can some day keep a
young white shark at the aquarium.
The project team heads back into the field next summer.
You can learn more in the Conservation & Research section of our web site <http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/whiteshark.asp>.
7. FREE OFFERS: GIFT STORE & PORTOLA DISCOUNTS, ANEMONE WALLPAPER
This month's Sea Notes specials include 10% off a stuffed animal over $9.95, a coupon good for 10% off the served menu in the Portola Cafe's Bay View Lounge and Oyster Bar from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and free wallpaper of a beautiful burrowing anemone.
<http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp>
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium "Sea Notes" newsletter/press release.