Jake Egbert Photography Blog

Beluga Day 2

It's been a few weeks since I posted anything to the photo blog. This makes two Beluga Day posts in a row (here's the last one) but the events were actually a couple of months apart. You can certainly tell that this Beluga Day was warmer than the last one; no one was bundled up this time.

One of my favorite aspects about this Beluga Day was listening to a couple of older kids in the crowd jealously observing all the preschool kids right up next to the whales. "Mom...," one whined, "Why do all those little kids get to go in there? I want to go in there!" I'm kind of with the whiny kid, in some respects. At least I had the big lens to help me feel like I was up close to the whales.


Underwater view


This beluga waited expectantly for chow time like a big white puppy


A pesky seagull was intent on stealing a tasty fish from the steel bucket.  However, the trainer wasn't about to let this feathered filcher off with a free meal.


Feeding time!


Hands on the glass


Chillin' with whales


Contemplation


Ear-to-ear smile


Hold on to that rope!


Back to class we go!


See you next time!

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Sea School Beluga Day

One of the best things about preschool at the Sea School is that the students get to spend time with sea critters. My son has come home with stories about petting sting rays, sharks, sea stars, penguins, and now, belugas. Once each quarter the students get to watch the beluga caretakers run the big white sea mammals through their daily routines. The whales make lots of "interesting sounds" that elicit giggles from the preschoolers. They enjoy tummy rubs from the trainers, and of course they eat loads and loads of fish and squid (the whales, that is, most of the children flat out refuse to eat raw squid and the staff members generally avoid giving tummy rubs to students...) It is quite entertaining to see the kids' reactions when a large beluga invades their personal space, or to watch a child shush a squeaking whale.


Up close and personal with a whale 


Shhh!  You're making too much noise! 


Spray it, don't say it 


Saying hello 


Flukes up! 


Waving goodbye 

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