On Sunday, we visited the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.  Because we had just visited the aquarium at Roanoke Island 2 weeks before, I thought this was a great chance to compare the 2.  Here is a variety of pictures that I thought were neat.

Cool shot of a big brown trout swimming away from the tank window.

Nice display that describes the destructive effects of flathead catfish in the Cape Fear River watershed.

Baby grass carp - just 30 more pounds and he’ll be in grave danger of fiberglass arrows!

Who will win this staredown?  Gator or Slider?  The look in the turtle’s eye looks strangely resolute!

A good, crisp shot of a water snake.  I think was a brown water snake, but not sure on that one.

I wished this turned out clearer, but an eyeshot of a big longnose gar in the black swamp water tank.  Very cool display!

Sea nettle display.  The picture changed the actual color of the tank.  It had some fluorescent light that made the jellyfish look really cool.

All in all, I thought the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores was better than the Aquarium at Roanoke Island.  It had more and better quality tanks, especially the open seas saltwater aquarium - which really shocked me, because I thought R. I.’s was awesome to start with.  The stingray touch tank wasn’t as good though.  The few rays that were in there were small and wouldn’t let you get close enough to touch them.  R. I. had the step-up there.  Either one - if you are in the vicinity - pay them a visit.  One of the best ways $8 can be spent at the beach if you ask me!