Mystic Aquarium Debuts Baby Penguins with a new Webcam

Bored at work? Need a dose of cuteness to get you through yet another dull T.P.S. Report? Head on over to the Mystic Aquarium website and check out some baby penguin chicks on their new webcam. Is there anything cuter than a baby penguin? I have yet to hear different.

During the first 40 days, the little ones are unable to maintain their body heat, so they seek warmth under their parents. Viewers will see their heads and beaks emerge when they are hungry and when their parents feed them. Later in this period, the inquisitive chicks will slowly venture on their own into other areas of their room. Once they are weaned (around day #50), people can observe the aquarium’s trainers teaching the chicks to feed from them.

At 75 to 100 days of age, the chicks will be fully fledged. Their soft down will be replaced with juvenile plumage, and they will be ready to fend for themselves. The fledglings will either join the 26 adult African penguins on exhibit at the aquarium or go to other facilities that house the species.

The camera will be on daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional breaks when the chicks are taken out of the room.

Click here to visit the Penguin Webcam

Also while you're there visit the Beluga Whales webcam too!

MADE in Mystic Aquarium

The popular MTV show MADE is shooting in Mystic Aquarium this afternoon. In the episode a teen from Killingworth, CT who wants to be MADE over as a surfer girl encounters the Beluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium, and the Ray touch pool for the show. MADE is the makeover show that turns dreams into reality.

Mystic Aquarium recently hosted the another popular reality series American Chopper during a segment for a Penguin themed bike.

Orange County Choppers visit Mystic Aquarium

Love bikes? Love Penguins? What's not to love I say! Tomorrow (April 30) Mikey Teutul from the very popular Discovery Channel show Orange County Choppers will be at Mystic Aquarium filming a segment for the show because the O.C.C. crew has created a penguin-themed bike (can't wait to see this).

Get the whole story here:
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/entertainment/x170777145

Man arrested for throwing liquid into Mystic Aquarium Whale Tank

This is truly disturbing. A Rhode Island man was arrested today at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration after he threw a concoction of baking soda and ruby fluid soldering flux mixture into the Beluga whale tank.

The man, Paul Watkins, 54, of East Providence, R.I., was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass in the first degree. He has previously been warned to stay away from the aquarium.

"The whales were not hurt and tests have determined that the water is fine", said Tim Gray, a spokesman for the aquarium.

Watkins told police he threw the liquid into the tank "to keep the fish warm and protect them from Agent Orange," a toxic chemical defoliant used in the Vietnam War, Stonington police said.

For more on this bizarre story including video, please visit:
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=6935487

National Geographic Adventure Magazine says Mystic is one of America's Best Waterfront Towns to Visit

Anyone who has been there, already knows it's a gem. National Geographic Adventure Magazine has named Mystic, Connecticut one of the best places in America to visit. The magazine's September issue includes a list of the best towns nationwide, one in each state.

Mystic made the list in the Best waterfront towns category. Other great waterfront towns included on the list include: Waimea, Hawaii; Fond du Lac, Wis.; Newport, R.I.; Rockland, Maine; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Annapolis, Md; Beaufort, S.C., and Lewiston, Idaho.

National Geographic Adventure Magazine

http://www.mysticseaport.org/

Mystic Aquarium

Went to one of my favorite places in Connecticut this weekend - Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. B and I did the Penguin Contact program which was a brilliant experience. It's true, I heart penguins, now the secret is out. I took a few photos as you can see below. There is so much to see and do at Mystic Aquarium, and every time I go there is something different.

It truly is a place that has something to offer for everyone, old, new, tweens and inbetweens, and is fully wheelchair accessible. There are regular shows with the Sea Lions (daily at 10:30,12:30,2:00.3:30 and 5:00), and feedings of the Penguins, Seals, Rays, Sharks, a rock climbing wall, birds of the outback not to mention the classes, special events, indoor Amazonian exhibits, Return to the Titanic exhibit. There's so much to see and do there, that you'll just have to go see for yourself.


You can click on these photos for a slightly larger view.


The entrance to Mystic Aquarium.



The entrance to the Titanic exhibit.



Cow nose Ray. Mystic Aquarium has a Ray touch pool where you can stick your hand in the water and feel the skin of these graceful animals. Sort of feels like a slimy rubber - kids will love them. There's even a feeding program for the very brave.



Colorful Sea Anemone. (Hopefully that spelling is correct!) This indoor pool contained lots of starfish (one who looked like he was trying to escape), and crabs.



Cute little alligator.



Looking through the water at a 1500-pound Beluga Whale. "Beluga" is a Russian word that means White one. These massive mammals are named for the pale color of their skin.



Another look at a Beluga Whale, this one is 11-feet long. Belugas blow air through their sinus cavities to make sounds, communicate with each other, and even change the shape of their heads.



And another. I think I'm going to have to do the Beluga contact program just to get a good photo of these guys. Their top swimming speed is 16 miles per hour!



A closer look at a Beluga Whale.



This beautiful little girl is 10-year old Yellow-Blue, a veteran of Mystic Aquarium's Penguin Contact Program. The program lasts one hour during which a trainer discusses the care of the aquarium's African Penguins with a small group of participants. Note, children have to be at least six years old before taking part in this program.




Yellow-Blue looks around the room.



Beautiful close up of Yell0w-Blue. The redness around her eye area indicates that she is cooling herself down.



Here I am with Erin the trainer, I'm listening to Yellow-Blue's heartbeat, and breathing, which sounded a little bit like someone was snoring in the next room.



Yellow-Blue goes back to her Penguin family.



Mystic Aquarium's colony of African Penguins.



Mystic Aquarium's marsh pond.



This little guy wouldn't let us walk by without catching our attention, he was LOUD!



A view of Mystic.



Downtown Mystic's famous drawbridge.



More details about Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355-1997
Website: www.mysticaquarium.org
Email: info@mysticaquarium.org
Phone: (860) 572-5955

Admission prices for July 1 through Sept 4
Adult $22
Senior (age 65+) $20
Children (age 3 - 17) $17
Children (age 2 and under) Free!

Hours
March thru November: Sunday-Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
December thru February: Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 9:00 am - 6:00 pm


Driving Directions

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is located just off of Interstate 95 in the beautiful town of Mystic, CT. Below are directions to the Aquarium.

Directions from New York City
Take the New England Thruway north, which is Interstate 95 to exit 90 and follow the signs to Mystic Aquarium. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours (approx. 127 miles).

Directions from Boston
Take Interstate 95 south to exit 90 and follow the signs to Mystic Aquarium. Travel time is approximately 2 hours (approx. 108 miles).

Directions from Hartford/Springfield
Take Interstate 91 south to Rte. 9 South, then to Interstate 95 north to exit 90 and follow the signs to Mystic Aquarium. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours (approx. 47 miles).

Directions from Worcester, MA
Take Interstate 395 south, head toward New London CT-32. Follow to Interstate 95 north. Take ramp to Groton/Providence. Follow to CT-27, exit 90 (8.1 miles) and follow signs to Mystic Aquarium. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours (approx. 80 miles).


Some other things to do while you're in Mystic, Connecticut.

Visit Mystic Seaport The Museum of America and The Sea.

Visit the Shoppes at Olde Mystic Village (right next door to the aquarium).

Take a walk in beautiful historic downtown Mystic.

Grab a delicious slice at famed Mystic Pizza - don't forget to ask your waitress/waiter if Julia eats there when she's in town.