One great thing about my having to spend extra time in Chicago, I discovered there was an aquarium (The Shedd Aquarium) there.

Although I pretty much refuse to set foot in the ocean (it’s usually cold, the idea of rip currents freaks me out, and there are creatures in it waiting to get me), I love aquariums. I just love them. There’s something about watching the fish swim around in their tanks that I find peaceful, hypnotic, calming, tranquil . . . and that makes me meditative, contemplative, peaceful, lulled (you get the picture).

In the last ten years, I’ve been to the aquariums at Monterey, California; Mystic, Connecticut; Baltimore, Maryland; and Camden, New Jersey. I even did a beluga whale encounter at the Mystic aquarium (basically, I got to go and play with them in the water) which was AWESOME.

Now, with the Shedd Aquarium, I decided to only get a ticket to see the main galleries (a steal at 8 dollars), but not the special exhibits. My favorite part was the big tank the “Carribean Reef” which had turtles, rays, (small) sharks swimming around with other fish. Going through the other galleries, I was amazed at the colors and features the fish and other aquatic life had.

Here are some fish:

what a great face!

I loved this guy. I have no recollection of what sort of fish he is though. Those eyes! That mouth!

floating by

showing off his pretty colors

black and white fish!

beautiful pattern

B-52s' crustacean (lobster, rock lobster....)

they're blue!

The jellyfish change color though. Wait for it…..

now, they're red/purple!

And that is my aquarium picture show. I do have some more, but I took them on my camera…I wasn’t happy with how the pictures were turning out and (halfway through, after the Caribbean tank) decided to try my iPhone, which took the pictures I’m posting. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they turned out. Also, when I got my iPhone, I found there were a few “watch the pretty fish and calm the hell down” apps, and immediately put the free ones I found on my phone (Pocket Pond rules) and admit I will play with my fish when I need a break from life in general. I might not want to swim with them, but I do enjoy watching them swim!

Which of the fish in these photos is your favorite? Are there places that you find calming?