Swimming with the fishes

This was a treat! Patt, Nolo, Monica and I went to Animal Encounters at Ocean Encounters. You swim in a large pool created in a sea channel where animals are contained by netting. Fresh seawater flows through without the animals escaping. On one side are a couple of tanks with sharks and other fish that do not make good swimming partners.  Nolo arranged this and got a photographer to come with us.  So we have photos.  and WOW.

Here I am feeding one of two Lemon sharks. They would swim by and snatch the bait fish out of my finger tips, which were held back inside the tube between the pools. (Not as dumb as I look). The other fish in the tank would also fight for the bait, unless the shark was swimming close by. 

Here Patt with snorkel and mask is sitting on some steps as a sting ray swims over her going toward the bait held by Patt's partner to the right. The underside of the ray is incredibly soft and smooth.

The top side is a bit course and rough. The rays are almost like puppies in that they will swim up and over you often and brush against you with their bottom side frequently, which is quite pleasant.

Nolo and I together.

Big Herbie, an old grouper, with many scars and many sharp teeth swims by. He is quite curious and was a frequent companion in the pool. Looking him in the eye was a bit disquieting, as he appeared to not think you were a good idea.

Herbie, me, Nolo and Monica. Herbie is the one to the left.

And yes, Patt ventured out into the deep, snorkeling with the big fish and here wth

Monica, Nolo and me for a group photo.

 And finally just the two of us and a few fish, of which there were many.