We were so lucky to have our cousins and Aunt Dana come and visit us for a few days. With the upcoming movie, A Dolphin Tale, on the horizon, we decided to take the girls to meet the actual Winter the Dolphin, who starred in the movie. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is just up the road from my house, was shut down for a couple months to film the movie, A Dolphin Tale. The girls were all so excited to get to meet Winter and then go home and tell their friends all about it.
The girls got a hands on experience ... here they are holding Winters first prosthetic tail.
This is a replica of a Dolphins skull.
They got to pet the Sting Rays ... which is funny, since they were afraid of them at the beach the day before!
This is Panama, she has worn down teeth and cannot survive in the wild, due to the inability to catch and chew her food. She is also Winter's surrogate mother.
Our first glimpse of Winter
It is hard to see in this picture, but you can see her tail is missing.
Winter and Panama, together, about to put on a show.
This is Hope, the Aquariums youngest dolphin. She is less than 1 year old and was found in the wild, alone, after her mother died.
She was so little!
The story how Winter lost her tail. She got it caught in a crab trap and cut off the blood supply to her tail.
The girls getting ready for craft time ...
Morgan and Riley coloring
Maya showing Reagan her design
Nicolas, he was found as a baby dolphin, beached with his mother, who was dying.
Nicholas suffered from severe sunburn, and was brought to the Aquarium as a baby.
The white scars on his back are from the sunburn.
The girls are waiting, front row, to see Winter and Panama put on a show.
The guy was talking to the girls, getting them pumped up for Winter!
Here she comes!
Winter rolling in the water.
The interns were out treading water the entire show ... it was to train the dolphins to get used to distractions.
Panama being fed. It is hard to see, but she has no teeth!
Winter talking to the interns
Perfect shot of Winters tail ... she would swim side to side, instead of up and down.
Great shot of Winter.
She jumped up on the raft.
Goodbye Winter ... great show!
Some sea turtles.
This was a HUGE sea turtle!
This boat was made specifically for the movie, and then was donated to the Aquarium as an attraction. It was totally cool looking ... wish we could have gone inside it!
After the Aquarium ... we went to lunch at a local joint ... Frenchy's!
Then it was time for the 2nd part of our Dolphin adventure ... the Sea Screamer boat ride!
The best shot I could get of the Sea Screamer, a 72 foot speed boat!
The girls insisted we sit in the back, which was the "wet" zone!
Riley was ready to see some dolphins in the wild.
Reagan was more excited to go fast on the boat!
Dana and Maya, ready to go!
Here we are, about to go out into the Gulf, to find some dolphins.
The weather was a bit questionable, but we were cleared to go ... but we did get rained on!
Having fun!
Going fast ... they were loving in!
Then the sea spray got them ...
Riley was attached to Aunt Dana at the hip, wanting nothing to do with her Mommy!
Beautiful McKenna, having a great time!
Riley was trying to catch the water on her tongue!
Then we saw the dolphins ...
There was a Pirate Ship out there too ... looking at the dolphins.
Then the captain said he was going to give the dolphins something to play with ...
as he went faster, the dolphins started jumping in the wake!
The captain said to take your seat and hold on to your belongings, so I took Riley to her seat.
She was not happy with me, as she wanted to be with Aunt Dana instead!
Reagan was having so much fun!
Then it started to rain, and going fast on the boat, with the rain hitting you in the face, was not comfortable.
Riley got back to Aunt Dana and was happier!
Goofy Maya!
Happy Girl #1
Happy Girl #2
At the end of the boat ride, another group shot!
They were so cute!
They got to sit up with the captain for a little while, and get out of the rain.
"Sun Bathing" on the front of the boat!
Thanks for such a great adventure ... Sea Screamer!
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