Thursday, December 29, 2016

Long Beach & Santa Catalina Island

Anemones & Starfish


The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is known for "Horses & Dragons".  Propagation of sea horses and sea dragons is its specialty but it is full of a wonderful variety of sea life.  We spent 7 hours exploring the amazing creatures of the sea.
Cownose Ray

Clown Triggerfish 

Jellyfish

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Octopus

Leopard Shark

Moon Jellies - in the touch-me tank

Sea Horses - one of 32 species

Leafy Sea Dragons - take a closer look

Sand Tiger Shark - what a mouthful of teeth

Black-tipped Shark

Bonnet Shark

Green-naped  Lorikeet 




The Aquarium has a large aviary for raising 4 species of Lorikeets from Africa.  There are over 100 birds and some are very friendly landing on the people.



Black-Crowned Night Heron roost















Daily walks along the Long Beach Harbor and the banks of the Los Angeles River always has a surprise or two.
Eucalyptus Blossom 

Western Gull captures a Sole

Willet, point of contact reflection

Am. Coot 

Great Blue Heron in balance

Red Mitred Parakeets on Second Street

Colorful Sea Slug in LA River

Nutmeg Mannikin


Desert Botanical Gardens


We spent a wonderful day with a trip to Santa Catalina Island once owned by the Wrigley's gum magnate.  Mostly a tourist village with shopping and restaurants, but there are also trails, a nature center and a botanical garden.  Great places for those looking for unique examples of God's creation.
Kokerboom Tree

Wrigley Memorial Chimes




Searching for the Spotted Dove was our goal.  With no help from the naturalists at the nature center who had never seen them, we found five of them by ourselves and God brought them close enough for good photos.  These Asian birds were introduced here in the early 1900's.



Harris's Hawk entertains the tourists

Common Dolphin leaps for the fun of it

Queen Mary permanently docked in the harbor

Long Beach ship loading cranes

Sunset over Santa Catalina Island


Just a few more days in Long Beach and then we head south to Oceanside for the month of January.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann

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