Hello friends! Welcome or welcome back to my blog. I know we have skipped a few weeks. Truth is, not much of great interest has happened in my life (at least, nothing that I am comfortable sharing). Fortunately, I have a story for you this week!
In early February, I paid a visit to the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, one of the top aquariums in the country. It is also home to a 4D theatre and (much to my interest) a research vessel, the R/V Spirit of the Sound. The possibility of employment aboard the Spirit lured me to the aquarium. Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!
Searching For Work
As I have covered on this blog before, my work at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is largely seasonal, so from January to April, I am not working (usually). My quest to fill in that gap led me to the Maritime Aquarium.
Not only does the Maritime Aquarium run their own vessel, but she goes out year-round, even in January. The harbor seals enter Long Island Sound in winter, granting plenty of opportunities for visitors to see them in the wild.
After filling out an online application for the role of Vessel Captain, I decided to drive from my home to Norwalk and visit the Maritime Aquarium in person. That’s exactly what I did the morning after submitting my application.
Arriving in Norwalk
Norwalk is a historic city along the Connecticut shore, west of Bridgeport, a little bit inland from Long Island Sound. It was a chilly and overcast day in Norwalk that morning, perfect for touring an indoor aquarium.
When I arrived at the aquarium, the first thing I noticed was how much the aquarium has expanded over the years. My last visit was in the early 2000s, before the museum had grown to include additional buildings.
According to their website, the Maritime Aquarium is now the second-largest family attraction in Connecticut. What could be the largest?
Seals and Stingrays
After buying a ticket, I entered through the main entrance and used the restroom before venturing into the aquarium proper. I passed the theater, opting not to watch a movie and instead tour the aquarium.
I walked past the gift shop and found myself in front of the harbor seal tank. Harbor seals are delightful creatures to watch swim around. They can even be tamed, as I learned on my first visit to the aquarium two decades prior.
I watched the seals swim back and forth for a little while, then made my to the next exhibit: the ray touch tank. I touched a stingray, taking note of its leathery skin. I noticed a mom and her friend talking and pointing the stingrays out to a small child. That brought a smile to my face.
Venturing Deeper
As I continued further into the aquarium, I noticed an exhibit dedicated to the husbandry of jellies. It reminded me very much of the aquaculture equipment that I used back in high school. Ah, the memories!
I walked up to the second floor, finding the children’s play area as well as terrariums filled with interesting creatures, such as pygmy crocodiles, snakes, and poison dart frogs. Cool!
One area contained dozens of miniature bats, roosting inside a darkened cave. I immediately thought of my vampire friends at the sight. They would certainly get a kick out of this!
Exploring Long Island Sound
My journey then led me to the tidal marsh exhibit, which detailed the ecology and importance of Long Island Sound’s tidal marshes. Among the living creatures in the display were minnows, and touch screen tools about the different species that benefit from tidal marshes.
Past the tidal marsh room, each successive display tank brought me into progressively deeper water. The next room was all about freshwater species, such as Largemouth Bass, Pike, Trout, and Shad. There was even a touch tank for my favorite freshwater species, the Atlantic Sturgeon.
I spoke briefly with the Floor Guide minding the touch tank. I asked him about employment. He said that all the aquarium’s hiring is done through the internet and that management will definitely be hiring new staff for the summer months.
Otters and Deep Water Species
After the Sturgeon touch tank came the most adorable exhibit: American River Otters! The room was kept at the same light level as dawn and dusk, when the otters are most active, so they were playing to their heart’s content! Super cute!
The next tank featured species that lived under piers, and the following tank was about the rocky areas of Long Island Sound. Such species included Striped Bass, Tautog, and American Lobsters.
After that was a tank featuring species that lived in the deep water areas of the Sound, such as Flounder and (of course) more Striped Bass. Shipwrecks are a common place to find fish, and the Sound has its share of wrecks.
Jellies, Octopi, and Sharks
Moving onwards, the next exhibit was all about invertebrates that live in the ocean, including jellyfish and (most notably) octopi. The main tank in this exhibit was a Pacific Octopus, who seemed quite content in its enclosure.
The jellyfish were mesmerizing to watch, but in the back of my mind, I thought of how painful they are to get stung by. Those stingers are what help them kill their prey, after all.
The highlight of my visit, though, was the large zoo tank that contained Striped Bass, Tautog, Scrup, and Sand Tiger Sharks, the largest fish species found in Long Island Sound. It was incredible to see the sharks up close. I marveled at their rows of teeth as one swam close by me.
Making My Exit
As I left the aquarium, I took a little bit of time to browse the gift shop. They had a good collection of stuff for sale. I looked for a stuffed bat for my vampire friend Xia, knowing that her children would appreciate one. There were no stuffed bats, so I left empty-handed. In retrospect, I’m sure they would have appreciated a stuffed shark.
I was hungry at this point, so I went to the aquarium’s cafe. I wanted to buy a burger, but I backed out when I saw the price. $18 for a burger, and no fries? Not interested, thanks. I ended up eating elsewhere.
After returning home, I thought to myself “Bill, that was a darned good visit!” Indeed it was!
Gone Fishing
At the time of this writing (early March), I have applied to two different positions at the Maritime Aquarium: Vessel Captain and Floor Guide. As a Captain I would work as a Captain or Mate aboard the R/V Spirit of the Sound. That would be the ideal position for me.
Working as a Floor Guide would also be good, as I am very experienced with working with the public. The downside is that the Floor Guide position expects you to work one weekend day.
I have yet to hear back for either position, but if I get an interview, I will definitely go and put my best (prosthetic) foot forward!
As always, thanks for reading!