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Field Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

September 6, 2015 Claire Annette Noland 4 Comments

This past week PBS and the BBC joined together to present Big Blue Live at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We watched the first two nights of the show and then realized it had been awhile since we had been to the aquarium. Time for a Field Trip to celebrate a beautiful summer day! Our family has been Aquarium members for over twenty years – we still can’t decide which exhibit is our favorite:

 

The Jellyfish?

aquarium jellyfish

 

The Green Sea Turtles?

aquarium sea turtle

 

 

The Kelp Forest?aquarium kelp forest

 

The Touch Pools?

aquarium touch pool

 

The African Black Footed Penguins? (Dassen seemed very interested in Roxanne)aquarium pelican

 

The Southern Sea Otters?

aquarium sea otter

 

Another beautiful day at the aquarium!  If you have a chance visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s website for a virtual field trip and also check out the Big Blue Live program.

 

aquarium portrait

 

Okay… I must admit – I love the sea otters. They are super fun to watch out in the ocean and they have an amazing comeback-from-the brink-of extinction story. They are still endangered and the great scientists at the aquarium have done a lot to help these wonderful animals. The sea otters in the aquarium were rescued and cannot survive in the wild. Each has a story that you can read here. You can even watch them on a live cam.

This is a terrific book for young readers who are interested in sea otters:

aquarium sea otter book

National Geographic Kids Sea Otters written by Laura Marsh is filled with wonderful information about sea otters accompanied by beautiful photography.

aquarium book 2

 

Every week brings new reasons to celebrate. Ruth Ayers give a great spot to share these celebrations. Visit her website at Ruth Ayers Writes to join in the celebratory fun.

FullSizeRender (14)

 

 

Filed Under: Books, Citizen Science, Field Trips, Places Tagged With: Author Laura Marsh, Big Blue Live, Celebrate this week, Monterey Bay Aquarium Field Trip, National Geographic Kids Sea Otters

Previous Post: « Faithful Friends
Next Post: Pretty Omens (what are you reading on National Read A Book Day?) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca Nguyen says

    September 7, 2015 at 2:11 am

    Beautiful photographs! Thanks for taking me along on your trip. Looks like you had a fantastic time.

    Reply
  2. Nanc says

    September 7, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Beautiful pictures…I love your connections to the books at the end of your celebration post. xo nanc

    Reply
  3. Cynthia says

    September 11, 2015 at 7:11 am

    You know what’s funny is that I was just telling some friends that I wanted to take the family to Monterey for an overnight trip sometime so kids could see the aquarium. And then I see your post!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      September 12, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      Are you a member of the aquarium? We bought a family membership because it was less than paying for our family to all go individually. The membership has tons of benefits including their quarterly newsletter. We go to lots of events there. They actually have overnights in the aquarium which my children loved! They still talk their aquarium camp outs.

      Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
books that take you places
Raven’s Gift
Nancy Bess Had a Dress
Evie’s Field Day
Out and About w George series

Our book/movie club continues. I have to admit, I Our book/movie club continues. I have to admit, I had never read any of the Wimpy Kid Diary books before. I enjoyed #1 in the series. The animated movie was filled with humor and heart with lots of laughs and “awe” moments. The kids give the books and movie 5 stars. I enjoyed them but one book was enough for me.
#diaryofawimpykid #bookormovie
Black dogs are the best! Black dogs are the best!
It’s the last day of summer and a great mail day It’s the last day of summer and a great mail day!
I returned home from the @SCBWICENCAL Writer’s Day to a full mailbox.
I first opened a lovely letter from my dear pen pal friend, Naida. We met when I was new to town because the mail carrier kept delivering mail to the wrong houses. Naida lived at 1203 Campus and I lived around the corner at 1203 Westwood. We bonded over letters and continue to this day (we do love seeing each other in person often).
I also opened a package containing SUNFLOWER HOUSES by Sharon Lovejoy. Years ago, I visited Sharon’s shop, Heart’s Ease in the beautiful town of Cambria. I took the children there to wander the gardens and be inspired to grow our own. We enjoyed her Fairy Festival and whenever I saw her, I knew she was someone I would love to have as a friend. And now we are which makes me so happy!
Finally, I opened an envelope to discover THE SUMMER BOOK, 30th Anniversary edition, by Susan Branch. I think we have made everything in our original copy, and I read it cover-to-cover. I own all of her books, but this is my favorite. Now I can gift the new edition to my children who are making their own memories with their families. Hopefully, I will meet Susan one day as she has moved back to Central California and is a friend of Sharon’s.
Here's to letters, books, friends, and summer days.🌻
@aussienonna @sharonlovejoyauthor @susanbranchauthor
#letters #bookmail #sunflowerhouses #thesummerbook
Thank you @workmanpubkids for sharing Roots, Shoot Thank you @workmanpubkids for sharing Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots. Our copy is worn and tattered but continues to be loved and used. @sharonlovejoyauthor ‘s books gave me the tools to introduce the wonders of gardening to my children and now my grandchildren.
I just wish Sunflower Houses would come back in print. I love gifting it to young families.🌻@scbwicencal #kidsgardening
EL NIÑO, by Pam Munoz Ryan, is a lush and lyrical EL NIÑO, by Pam Munoz Ryan, is a lush and lyrical middle grade novel for everyone who loves the ocean and mythology. Kai, who is dealing with grief over the loss of his sister, Cali, discovers a book that she had repeatedly checked out about a “Library of Despair and Sorrow” inhabited by mermailens who are charged with protecting feelings that are stored in the library’s vaults. Kai’s life intersects with the mysterious underwater world in dramatic ways. This was the perfect book for a California summer- especially as I read it on a San Diego beach where the book is set. 
The book is gorgeous with blue ink and delicate drawings by illustrator Joe Cepeda, that made me feel like I was in the water with Kai. I can’t stop thinking about this one.
#pammunozryan @joe_cepeda #booktravel #afieldtriplife
🌟 “Writers, dreamers, storytellers…let’s 🌟 “Writers, dreamers, storytellers…let’s connect! I’ll be at the Central Coast Writers’ Conference September 26 & 27 in San Luis Obispo, CA and I’d love for you to join me. 📚 Reserve your spot today at centralcoastwritersconference.com 

@claireannettenolandbooks @scbwicencal #writingforkids
It’s #nationalreadabookday and @mrernierecommend It’s #nationalreadabookday and @mrernierecommends and I are enjoying reading Books Travel The World by @joan.schoettler illustrated by @helena.Perez Garcia

This celebration of librarians and readers takes us from Columbia to Thailand to San Francisco and many locations in between. It is extraordinary to see the dedication and perseverance of those who want to make sure that children have books to read. Kids will be fascinated to learn that books are delivered by elephant, ship, and camel. The lyrical, free verse text shares how, in each location, books are shared, and children always request, “One more story, please!”
Each colorful spread is a visual delight showing details of each country, animals, plants, storytellers, and the excited children. 
BOOKS TRAVEL the WORLD is a love letter to all who care about books, reading, and accessibility for those in far-flung locations. It offers an appealing invitation to open and share books and is a tribute to those who help readers discover the world through books. 
I love Joan's beautiful dedication. ❤️
THE STORY Of FERDINAND is an all time favorite pic THE STORY Of FERDINAND is an all time favorite picture book but the animated movie…
Too scary for a three-year-old. We’ll stick with the classic book.
#thestoryofferdinand #book/movieclub
What fun- reading around the country! Thank you @c What fun- reading around the country! Thank you @cindyschrauben for including Nancy Bess Had a Dress which is set in Central California 
@gnomeroadpublishing @angelac.hawkins #floursacks #booktravel #afieldtriplife
September means back-to-school and new supplies. W September means back-to-school and new supplies. Who doesn’t like to open a new box of crayons?
I’m booking author visits for 2025-2026 school year. In person for local classes (Central California) or zoom. Message me if you’re interested.
Highlights Summer Camp inWriting: Create and Dream Highlights Summer Camp inWriting: Create and Dream was definitely a highlight of summer 2025!
A week of inspiration from wonderful mentors, writers, and staff was just what was needed to fuel creativity. I’m excited and ready to work on my next project. ✍️
@highlightsfound @jkaybanta @devas_t @heidieys @nonieqa.ramos
It’s always a good day when I’m with Mr. Ernie It’s always a good day when I’m with Mr. Ernie!
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