August 17th - Post Lunch
So after chowing down at the Voyager Smokehouse, we made our way to the Dolphin Feeding area. The feeding was scheduled for 1 and were were going to be about 15 minutes early. When we got there we found our longest line of the SeaWorld, probably about 100 people or more. As we waited, the afternoon shower was starting to move in. It was getting pretty dark and windy.
We didn't have long to wait, the sky opened up and we were caught in the open. After a few minutes some people started to get out of line and stand under the cover at the Ray feeding area. This allowed some of us to move up through the line until we were about 10 people from the front. Woohoo!
The only problem was we were soaked, not just wet but so soaked that I had to wring the water out of my shirt soaked.
. Shortly after 1, the trainer came out and said since it was still raining hard, there would be no feeding at that time.
We waited out the rest of the rain with everyone else, watching the rays get upset that nobody was feeding them. They were swimming around splashing people. It was quite funny to watch them scare people who didn't seem to know what was going on. We weren't allowed to feed them because there was still lightning in the area.
After the rain stopped, we decided to walk around the dolphin cove since there the rides were still not open. We could see the dolphins swimming around and then we discovered an underwater viewing area for the dolphins.
As we made our way back outside, the sun had returned and things started to dry up as we made our way to the manatee area.
In the manatee pool they had a few manatees; one was a rescue that they were nursing back to health. She had a large injury on her back but she was fairly active.
The also had a little one that was a few months old swimming around.
They still hadn't re-opened the rides so we found the sea lion feeding area on the other side of the park. For $5 you got a tray with 4 fish you could toss down to the sea lions and hopefully the birds wouldn't get them.
The next dolphin feeding was scheduled for 3:15 so we once again crossed the park to get in line. This time we were the 3rd family in line because we were about 45 minutes early. Around 3, the came out and told us that everyone that went into the feeding area had to pay to feed the dolphins. If you weren't feeding the fish, you had to go to the viewing area. They then let us in to pay and wait to line up. They had some basic rules you had to follow and then the let us up to the wall to feed. It was pretty cool.
Here is a short video from the feeding area. The first voice you hear is not pooksma.
Since this is another of the feedings in an open area, you had to keep an eye on the birds. There were always egrets ( I think that is what they were) around. I was finished feeding so I stepped back from the wall to give the family next to me some more room. Out of the corner of my eye, i saw this huge bird come diving over the top of the patio umbrella beside Pooksma, down in front of Declan and grab a fish out of the hand of the father that was standing next to me. He didn't even see the bird until after it was gone. It was pretty funny to see.
After the feeding we decided it was time to head back to the hotel. As we were headed out they we just getting ready to re-start the rides. Took a few pictures of the flamingos and some at the front of the park. We waited about 20 minutes for the bus and made our way pack for a swim and rest.
That evening, we didn't want to eat at TGI Friday's again so we decided to go for a drive. We ended up at DTD and had a nice meal at the Earl of Sandwich. First time we ate here and the first time we drove ourselves to DTD. It was weird being there and not actually be staying at disney. As we were eating, Pooksma recognized brookelizabeth and her family sitting at the next table so she introduced herself and said hello before we left.
Next up, day 2 at SeaWorld - more manta and Shamu
he had a Sebring when we got married
It would be a rockin' awesome visual aid, wouldn't you think? 
