Marineland!

Sara and Zoe visited Marineland in Niagara Falls last summer.  It was that fateful visit that ignited Zoe's passion for all sea creatures and most especially dolphins.  This passion continues to grow as Zoe gobbles up almost any book or documentary about dolphins.  The passion is contagious and has infected both Mom and Dad as we learn about these truly amazing creatures along with Zoe.

Thus it comes as no surprise that we planned a weekend at Marineland within weeks of its seasonal opening this year.  It turned out to be a cool and rainy weekend which gave us the advantage of having the park almost to ourselves!

Share the weekend with us through a few of our favourite photos.

Zoe and her beloved dolphins.



Julian inadvertently gave the signal to spit a mouthful of water over the tank's edge, which this dolphin obediently did shortly after this photo. 



Animals of any stature capture Zoe's attention.

 On the rainiest of our three Niagara days, we headed to a couple favourite indoor venues, the Butterfly Conservatory and Bird Kingdom.



We could not leave until a butterfly finally landed on Zoe.



The remainder of the rainy day was happily spent in the hotel pool. 

Back at Marineland, we enjoyed the amusement park rides as much as the animals.  Last year Zoe was too short for many of the rides and had to be with an adult for many other rides.  While her two accompanying adults still enjoyed the rides with her this year, Zoe was delighted to find that she had grown several inches and now, at a full 42 inches, could ride alone when and if she chose.  A choice which she exercised often throughout the weekend.

In addition to marine life and rides, the park has a few other animals that you are invited to feed.  The deer were a favourite.  Or should we say Zoe (and any other food bearing human) was a favourite with the deer.



Naturally a dolphin swam by in the tank behind us right after the photo was snapped.

 Dolphins may be Zoe's favourite animal, but Marineland's belugas offered the best "up close" encounters.  There are two beluga exhibits in the park, both offering above-water and below-water viewing.  There were several baby belugas swimming with their mothers.  Babies are gray until they are about five years old when they gradually begin to turn white. 

Marineland is training several of their belugas to (presumably) appear in their daily show which currently stars dolphins, sea lions, and a walrus.  Prior to each show, as the audience trickles in, the trainers bring out the belugas and put them through some basic paces.  Then they move to the audience side of the tank and work with them a bit more until the regular show is about to start.  Zoe naturally wanted to go poolside to get a closer look... and, in an assertion of independence, wanted to go by herself.  We were comfortable so off she went.  Once she was down there, it was not clear who was getting a better look at whom!!

The highlight was being able to feed and pet the belugas alongside one of the staff!

It was hard to tell for sure, but we think Zoe enjoyed the weekend.