The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL Sister Shen Photographs by Wookiee The John G. Shedd Aquarium is located along the shore of Lake Michigan, and the aquatic theatre overlooks the lake in a breathtaking spectacle. Also, the theatre is designed with the look of a lush forest, complete with trees, bushes, and rock formations. The theatre is the home of the dolphin show. This remarkable performance is accompanied by narration explaining the behaviour of the creatures, and how they are trained, or not trained as indicated. Another highlight of my visit to the aquarium was seeing the "Amazon Rising" exhibit. The exhibit documents the annual cycles of this unique ecosystem, and displays many interesting specimens of aquatic and amphibious life in the Amazon rain forest. Of particular interest were large piranhas; though I'm no stranger to piranhas, these guys appeared very well fed. The Shedd Aquarium is also the home to a baby beluga whale, born in July 2000. The whale is in a semi-secluded tank with his mother, and can only be viewed from a chamber below the water's surface. At the age of six months, Qannik is already larger than many full grown humans, and appears to mimic the movements of his mother who is never far away. The aquarium is an enjoyable attraction with its many exhibits, and also provides a unique educational experience to visitors. The underlying theme of environmental responsibility is expressed very subtly. There seems to be a genuine interest in promoting understanding and preservation of the world's ecological balance for the good of all creatures. Other photographs: Downtown Chicago The Field Museum of Natural History The Planetarium through the windows of the Shedd Aquarium Lake Michigan and the Planetarium through the window, Darth Maul in the foreground The lake within the lake Disclaimer: All contents are personal observations, and no profit or lucre is expected, solicited, advocated or paid by anyone, including those being observed. This is all just for fun. Any comments, please e-mail the author or WOOKIEEhut directly. Flames will be ignored. This report may not be posted anywhere without the author's knowledge, consent, and permission.