Discovery Cove is part Sea World. It's actually just across the street from Sea World. We got a joint park pass so we could go back and forth between the two all week. Discovery Cove has 3 major snorkling areas, a huge bird aviary, and the optional small lake where you can swim with the dolphins.

For snorkling, there is a winding warm water river; about 85 degrees, although the wet suits that come with admission are really nice. You would not want to go into the Coral Reef area without a wet suit as the water there is much cooler - in the 70s. And then there is a smaller much more shallow area where there are dozens of manta rays you can mingle with and touch (but are asked to just lightly touch their fins so that their protective oils don't get wiped off).

The first set of 7 large pictures was taken up close by a photographer. Pat must have taken two dozen others from a pearch on the rocks off to the side of the area so I grouped them separately.

Well, here we all are with our id badges ready to enter the Discovery Cove area.

Colin and Marissa up close with their new friend, Hutch.

How cool is this!

Colin getting a ride into the beach from Hutch.

And a kiss goodby.

Marissa gets her turn to have Hutch bring her into the beach.

And a kiss goodby...

Here is a group of pictures that Pat was able to take of the kids swimming with Hutch.

Discovery Cove has an amazing bird sancturay with numerous different areas for the different types of birds.

The bird in the second picture (that the kids are feeding) was quite something. Marissa kept chasing after him to get him to eat more but he wasn't hearing any of it. But no matter where he went, Marissa kept after him.

Finally, he had enough of it and came right at her. That bird backed her right up. She decided that the bird probably meant it, and went on about her tour. But when we returned to that area, the bird was waiting for her. As soon as Marissa came through the gate he flapped his wings and came storming after her! He was moving, too!

Man! Did she take off running with that bird jamming right after her! That bird chased her all over the place. She skinned her knuckles up pretty good trying to get out the door but the bird had her pinned up against the wall. It was a sight to behold! We laughed about that for days, but Marissa failed to see the humor in the whole thing...