#you otter vote for the ocean

[montereybayaquarium]

🤿 Let’s dive into recent ocean conservation stories! 🌊

Learn about how advanced tech is helping researchers understand whale migrations, the latest updates in the fight against  plastic pollution, and how voting is one of the most impactful conservation actions you can take. Find these stories and more in our next Ocean Action email—subscribe today!

Thanks @MBARI for the deep sea footage.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

For the 🦈SirenSong!AU, the reader is going to be related to Logan/Wolverine (35 people voted, majority chose him in the poll, so this is the route we're taking!). The reader will likely be a deep sea siren like him, Laura, and Victor, but could also be part open ocean or reef siren... maybe the reader is more reef or open ocean siren than they are deep sea... or mayhaps they are fully presenting as one of the other two instead of the deep sea type! Imagine what you will, but I might explore (or make canon) one of these ideas in the future.

As for their color scheme, it is probably similar to Logan, Laura, and Victor as well. Something sunny, warm, or warm-toned neutrals... similar to a piece of bumblebee jasper, fire agate, amber, tiger's eye, cat's eye, or other similar warm-toned patterned and shaded gemstone, with bits of brown and black involved. Their scales and fins though... that I plan to make a poll for, one each, so until those are done, I'll leave it vague what their fin and scale types are.

The reader is a mixed bag of feelings and experiences, due to being caught in a siren pup trafficking ring when they were younger, experimented on for a short time, and then raised by a kindly human once they escaped... they don't remember much about the ocean or coastal towns and cities, nothing but vague impressions and certain key things. They do have things they like and dislike, and have unresolved traumatic issues pertaining to the ordeals they went through, and losing their human caretaker recently before the present story...

Some of the things they like are:

• Pearls (any color, shape, or size; they vaguely remember playing with them, but can't remember when; they like the smooth, cool texture to them, too)

• Shrimp (tasty and simple; ate them with the shells on, until they found out you aren't supposed to do that, ever)

• Fluffy Blankets

• Cats

• Crabs (cute AND tasty!)

• Otters (fluffy noodles)

• Seals (cute and fat)

• Octopi (cute; prefer not to eat them, due to their intelligence)

• Jewelry (gold, silver, string, pearl, gem, glass, it doesn't matter: if it is shiny, sparkly, or dangles, they want to collect it)

• Books (Shakespeare, Ivanhoe, Aesop's Fables, or even some children's books like the Narnia series, Goodnight Moon, or Winnie The Pooh... much knowledge and wisdom and whimsy can be found in all of those, and the reader loves them all)

• Classical Music (they adore hearing instruments like the harp, the drums, or the cello)

• Odd Stuffed Animals (the animals that aren't regularly made into plushies, like fish, squid and octopi, caterpillars, foods, etc.)

• Hugs (they crave affection, but don't have friends or family to receive them from or to give it to)

And some things they dislike are:

• Most Humans (they fear them, and have mostly dealt with the more wicked, shady sort; they try to avoid being near them for too long, in fear of them discovering they are a siren)

• Other Sirens (they fear the other sirens hating them or seeing them as defective, due to being so out of touch with their own species and for being caught by humans; but they haven't met another siren since they escaped the humans who caught them)

• Loud Noises

• Bright Lights

• Babies (due to the drool, vomit, and excretions that come out, not to mention their wailing)

• Hot Weather

• Open Ocean (they don't know how to survive on their own in the ocean, and they haven't been to the sea since before they can remember... and the wide, empty waters make them feel lonely)

• Sea Snakes (venomous and can swim, they are a childhood fear of their's)

• Scorpions

• Large Empty Spaces (small empty spaces don't bother them, but too large of a room and only them to fill it makes them feel lost and paranoid)

The reader is someone who feels awkward, doesn't always understand social cues, and tries to be kind (if a bit secretive) to others. They want to be good, and they want friends and family and the love they provide, but they are on their own, now that their only caretaker, the human who raised them, has passed on... So the reader heads into the coastal city, where they know sirens are in charge and they have a better chance at not being found out. They can't risk anyone coming after them or discovering what they are. They won't risk being caught again, they can't bear the thought of having to go through that sort of torture, that type of pain, again. If only the knew that sirens are very caring, especially towards their own... and with the reader being a pup... once the sirens discover that, they aren't ever leaving their new bby on their own with no protection, no pod, no parents or siblings or family... And Logan/Wolverine is certainly going to be emotional when he sees his lost pup again, and he sure as h*ll won't be letting them go, not without a fight... not after losing them all those years ago...

[shoresoftheshadowlands]

This is so obviously fake I cannot even believe how many people think this is real. Surely you can see that when the bird changes direction its an image flip??? It's way too big compared to the lynx regardless, and no species of hummingbird looks like that. This is a video of a Lynx just looking around with a fake bird stuck on it. We have GOT to do something about the critical thinking skills, its all fun and games until it becomes dangerous deep fakes.

If yalls can't tell the obvious fakes from reality, what're we going to do when the fakes get harder to tell? Is real nature not interesting enough? We have to have fake birds or species changing otters trained to give pretty rocks at the aquarium staged as a dock in the ocean, or any of a number of other fakes like the gorilla and the baby

This IS a dangerous hill we're sliding off of. Today it's cute animals, tomorrow it could be deepfake politicians saying fake but just believable enough bullshite to swing votes. We need to be so careful about making sure people know when something is fake, it is the responsibility of the person making these and posting them to label it as unreality. I am SO SICK of these AI videos guys.

Lynx fascinated by a hummingbird...

[thebusylilbee]

When the world's leading conservation congress kicks off Friday in the French port city of Marseille it will aim to deliver one key message: protecting wildlife must not be seen as a noble gesture but an absolute necessity -- for people and the planet. Loss of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, diseases spreading from the wild have become existential threats that cannot be "understood or addressed in isolation," the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said ahead of the meeting in a vision statement endorsed by its 1,400 members. [...]

Mass extinction

The creatures with which we share the planet are at high risk too --- from us. As the human population climbs toward nine billion by mid-century, many creatures are being crowded, eaten, snared, poisoned, poached, hawked and hunted out of existence.

Current extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times greater than the normal 'background' rate. (pic by Eric Conroy)

Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN's Red List Unit, said that if species' destruction continues on its current trajectory, "we'll be facing a major crisis soon". [...] In each of the previous mass die-offs over the last half-billion years, at least three-quarters of all species were wiped out.

The IUCN has assessed nearly 135,000 species over the last half-century for its Red List of Threatened Species, the gold standard for measuring how close animal and plant life are to vanishing forever. Nearly 28 percent are currently at risk of extinction, with habitat loss, overexploitation and illegal trade driving the loss. Big cats, for example, have lost more than 90 percent of their historic range and population, with only 20,000 lions, 7,000 cheetahs, 4,000 tigers and a few dozen Amur leopards left in the wild. [...] Invasive species are also taking a toll, especially in island ecosystems where unique species of birds have already fallen prey to rodents, snakes and disease-bearing mosquitos that hitched rides from explorers, cargo ships or passenger planes. An update of the Red List on September 4 is likely to show a deepening crisis.

Our right to exist

For the first time in the IUCN's seven-decade history, indigenous peoples will share their deep knowledge on how best to heal the natural world as voting members. (pic by Carl de Souza)

One proposal calls for a global pact to protect 80 percent of Amazonia by 2025. "We are demanding from the world our right to exist as peoples, to live with dignity in our territories," said Jose Gregorio Diaz Mirabal, lead coordinator for COICA, which represents indigenous groups in nine Amazon-basin nations.

Recent research has warned that unbridled deforestation and climate change are pushing the Amazon towards a disastrous "regime change" which would see tropical forests give way to savannah-like landscapes. Rates of tree loss drop sharply in the forests where native peoples live, especially if they hold some degree of title -- legal or customary -- over land.

"Indigenous peoples have long stewarded and protected the world's forests, a crucial bulwark against climate change," said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

An ocean of plastic pollution

Other motions offer a lifeline to ailing oceans, including one calling for an end to plastic pollution by 2030. Plastic debris causes the deaths of more than a million seabirds every year, as well as more than 100,000 marine mammals, from otters to whales.

Current global extinction risk in different species groups, according to the IUCN (pic by Erin Conroy)

And then there's the question of money, and the fact that so little of it has been earmarked for nature. Current global spending of about $80 billion a year needs to be increased 10-fold, said Sebastien Moncorps, director of France's IUCN committee. "That's about one percent of global GDP, but when you realise that half of all economic activity depends on nature being healthy, that's a good return on investment."

[mintenochian]

what other people want added to Minecraft: g u n s

what I want added to Minecraft

•Birds

-For multiple biomes, but mainly for the forests.

-Songbirds would add SO MUCH life to the otherwise quiet areas of the game

-Ravens and crows would be awesome and could use some of the parrot mimicking AI

-Cardinals in the snow biomes would bring a GORGEOUS pop of colour into the white atmosphere

-Seriously we need something to populate the sky, parrots do NOT fly like they should

-nests in trees, can find eggs in them

-doesn't really add a use but fun new feather types would be cool

•Owls

-technically still a bird but would go really well in covered rooftop forests and snow biomes

-we're already getting larger avians added in the form of vultures so why not more large birds?

•Mice and / or rats

-absolute precious babies

-sadly would go well with owls :(

-with cave update coming we need adorable rodents scurrying around

-lil bastards could make mouseholes inside of blocks

-will they be tameable? idk.

-adds the necessity for cheese

•Deer

-MOJANG this is a MUST, this is a NEED

-You literally have pigs, chickens, cows, and sheep spawning in forests what the fuck

-Deer with spotty baby fawns??? Yes

-Young bucks with different stages of antler growth? Yes

-Fawns frolicking in flower forests bc they feel safe

-Stripped wood appearing on trees where bucks scrape velvet off their antlers

-Being able to collect sets of antlers when they fall off periodically (would NOT be attainable by killing the deer, you have to wait for them to shed)

•Elk and Moose

-Same vein as deer

-Bigger, much bigger, neutral instead of passive, less shy

-Snowy biomes

-Better additions than fucking llamas tyvm

-Sidenote but savannahs could also really use some endangered deer-like species to help raise awareness for their status

•Squirrels

-Mojang plz

-Adds nuts to Minecraft ;)

-Black, grey, red, and mixed colour squirrels and breeding

-Brings life to forests like songbirds and deer

•Bears

-Mojang bby you literally already have a neutral bear in Minecraft why have you not reskinned it for grizzly/brown/black bears?

-Bear caves

-Hibernating mobs

-Brings more use to the beehives and bees, bears could be attracted to any area that has more than one bee hive with honey

•WOLVES AND DOGS

-They NEED the ocelots and cats update

-More wolf types (red, timber, snow, black, etc)

-Actual wolf packs (the AI would be difficult to program but the doges are worth it)

-Please let the howl at the moon, if foxes get to say ringdingding all night long wolves deserve to be allowed to howl

-More dog breeds (I know that there's no reason for domesticated dog breeds in Minecraft but ACTUALLY THERE IS)

-Hunting dogs like springers that can jump and run faster

-Foxhounds :D

-Most Important Goodest Boy: Herding dogs like collies and sheepdogs

-Herding dogs could be found in plains where cows and sheep spawn and create herds

-LET DOGS LAY DOWN FOR FUCKS SAKE

•Herding

-Instead of having to pen up and enclose your livestock you could form herds of cows and sheep

-Your Goodest Boi herding dog would protect them and move around with them when they graze

-Just soft peaceful minecraft tingz

•Salt licks

-Something SO SMALL but would make SO MUCH HAPPINESS

-Drawing new cows into your herd by putting up a salt lick

-I'm soft

-I guess salt would be a new ore???

•Bird feeders

-idk I think it would be cool

-excess seeds used for SOMETHING

•Raccoons

-The coolness of wolves, the chaos of foxes, the cunning of cats

-thumbs

-be gay do crimes

-can open chests (trigger trap chests to catch them?)

-Fantastic little shits

-Not tameable but will trust players like foxes do

•Snakes

-I know it's a lot to ask and it would be hard to make them look good

-But??? Imagine a tiny lil garter snake in your garden

-unlikely but would be so fantastic

•Rope

-climeable

-please Mojang we need this so badly

-imagine the ships? The bridges? The bell towers and everything?

-super easy to add, just reskin vines and add a string crafting recipie

•Butterflies and Moths

-Bflies could be a unique mob to flower forests and friends with bees

-if moobloom is added they would all be BEST BUDS

-get it "buds" ahahaha

-help with flower polination but just gives a TON of life to flower forests

-We literally have lanterns in minecraft why do we NOT have moths? Such a cool aesthetic addition.

-helps fill both the daytime and nighttime sky

•Hummingbirds

-fourth member of BEST BUDS

-just soft baby

-i love birbs okay

-the only avian who does not work for the bourgeoisie

•Fireflies

-10 million of them please

-they give great hugs

-adds so much atmosphere to the night world

•Cheese

-We have milk

-We have, presumably, goat milk

-Quit being cowards and add butter and cheese

-Butter churn job block for villagers

-V funny bc they have no arms to churn with?? Oh well

•Seashells

-Something decorative and beautiful that could 1) liven up beaches and 2) have snails and crabs inside!

-Mojang plz do not add sand dollars to the game people already don't know how to tell if they're still alive before trying to take them home

•Whales

-WHALES.

-Imagine something as massive as the ender dragon but peaceful. Allows you to stand on them (idk how but make it happen Jeb)

-WHALE SONGS.

-Being so deep and far out into the ocean, and when the moon is high in the sky and you're sitting in your boat, you just hear the beautiful melancholy sounds of the whales in the distance

•Jellyfish

-Idk if y'all know this but the glow squid is a bad idea

-Dream buddy you fucked up, please use your influence to get in contact with Mojang and have them redo the vote. People would have so much regained respect for you if you tried to fix your mistake.

-Also why does a speedrunner get to tell millions of people what mob would bring more life to Minecraft? He's only playing the game for 5 minutes smh

-aNYWAYS

-Jellyfish could literally do everything the glow squid is going to and look better for it AND possibly be neutral instead of peaceful

•Orcas

-Not much to say but it would liven up the frozen water biomes a bit

•Penguins

-You already know why

-Imagine giving a new home to all the Club Penguin players? Legendary.

-Gender doesn't exist in Minecraft but we all know penguins would be hella gay

•Lobsters

-I think they would be cute

-You would NOT BE ABLE TO BOIL THEM ALIVE THANK YOU VERY MUCH

•Mermaids

-Never going to happen since passive mobs are generally real life animals but it would be so cool

•Otters

-they can hold hands

-brings life to the rivers

-super cute

•Frogs and possibly toads

-Swamp gods

-Absolute mad lads

-maybe grow from tadpoles

-wouldn't do much but needed

•Fairy Forests

-NOT Twilight Forests. Not a new dimension.

-Just gentle hidden groves in forests

-ADD FAIRY RING GENERATION TO MINECRAFT.

•Big cats

-Tigers, lions, bobcats, panthers

-Literally anything that could finally add a strong predator possibility to savannahs and jungles

•Zebras and Giraffes

-Shy and skittish

-cannot ride (their skeletal structure is NOT MADE FOR CARRYING HUMANS)

-Super cute tho, brings much needed life to savannahs

•Camels

-The better llama

-Can honestly just be a reskin

-brings much needed life to the desert

-spits and wears carpet and forms caravans like llamas

•Lemurs

-Easier to add to "jungles" than monkeys

-it would be really cool if we could just get a Rainforest biome

-King Julian stans awaken

•Red pandas

-we need them

-cuter than normal pandas and you can @ me

-better idea than sloths or koalas

•More Eldritch Horror Hostile Mobs

-Fun fact time

-The enchanting table language already has Lovecraftian references

-"phnglui mglwnafh cthulhu rlyeh wgahnagl fhtagn" is literally a quote from the enchanting table

-translates to "In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming."

-Bet you didn't know that fun fact

-aNYWAYS add the Kraken to Minecraft instead of the shitty guardians. Thanks.

-imagine how cool it would be to see lights slowly extinguish as something terrifying and dangerous slowly moves in for the kill

-torches get extinguished and can get relit

-if not relit fast enough Something will be waiting

•Ice statues

-We have giant fossils and ship wrecks and cool stuff like that but please imagine finding a GIANT humanoid ice sculpture in an ice spikes biome

-maybe bones inside to show you that... That wasn't carved or naturally generated.

•Skeletons

-Not a mob but a decoration block

-Found in temples, mineshafts, and caves

-implied to be the remains of miners and explorers

-rare

-also implies that every skeleton you kill has some backstory since they look the same

•Constellations

-Not real world star maps but completely unique to Minecraft

-chance for LOTS of fun references

-The stars are your only companions in an apocalyptic world where you are the last of your kind

-Space is gay minecraft is gay thus minecraft space is gay

•Corn

-we have butter in this list

-we have salt in this list

-popcorn. That is all.

And finally

•Leeks

-mostly a joke but would be a cool crop

-100% a reference to Hatsune Miku the creator of Minecraft

DISCLAIMER: I recognize that mobs are added to Minecraft to serve a purpose within the game and that many of these mobs would be better in mods and such, but I also feel like many of these suggestions would really bring so much more life to parts of the game that really need it. Even if they don't serve a huge purpose, they would still be really amazing additions imo.

I would love to see the ideas and suggestions that other people have for what they want added to Minecraft, please TAG ME if you make a post like this, I wanna hear and read it!

[ashtonfinryder]

tagged by: @necessex​ :*

name :  shantel nickname / s :  shan height :   5′2″ nationality :  singaporean favorite  fruit : oranges, blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, pineapple, jackfruit favorite  season :  autumn!! <3 favorite  scents :  the ocean, citrus, fresh clothes favorite  color / s :  blue, purple, favorite  animals :  otters c’: just look at them tea , coffee , hot  cocoa :  a nice cuppa tea average  hours  of  sleep :  idk 2, 6, 10, 14, roll a dice when  my  blog  was  created :  this blog?????? 2016 #  of  followers :  41 and a couple of sex bots. i see u. random  fact :  i’ve twisted both my knees one after another during dance while doing turns and now they’re my chronic pains at age 22 favorite  food : i’m really craving fried bananas favorite  t.v.  show :  fuck me, for sit coms B99 & drama, sense8 favorite  movie :  exam (2009) that’s a wild ride alright favorite  vine :  step the fUCK UP kYLE. & i aM ThE SaNd gUaRDIAN, GUARDIAN OF THE SAND, PoseidON QUIVERS BEFORE HIM sexuality :  good food, but also demi-bi pronouns :  she/her favorite  book  series :  i gotta go with the maze runner series, bish it wasn’t even that good but i love it. favorite  video  game / s :  the walking dead game, to the moon, /weeps, & detroit: become human was not bad despite being a cage game favorite  subject :  dance (can it be a subject) guys  or  girls :  both last  time  i  cried :  when my friend lost a rigged drag competition in the semi-finals because people could buy votes and we were all poor uni students and other drag queens had rich friends ( he had 14, others had 240, you get the gist) but they decided to keep him as an extra person into the finals because he is just PURE TALENT and we all started bawling because we thought it was the end for him, despite having a standing ovation, and we’re just so happy that they see his talent. hair  color :  dark brown ending in a galaxy of blue and purple, all i need is some glitter and i’m ready to go to space what  i  should  be  doing : memorising my monologue and practicing my song for my audition, and TAKING CARE OF MY VOICE AND THROAT. /stresses out about my throat /stresses out about auditions /stresses out favorite  fandoms : idk i dont take part in fandoms, but the big brother tags are lit

tagging: you!!! with love!!!

[gossamerglassjellyfish]

Loving Life

Since I just did a post about a lot of the shitty things that have gone on in my life, I thought I’d do another post about my life’s happier moments.

On a romantic level, I’ve done all kinds of cool things.  I’ve dated twelve guys and had serious relationships with two of them - I’ve even tried online dating.  I’ve cooked a delicious meal with a guy on Valentine’s Day, had complex philosophical and cinematic discussions with a man, ridden on the back of a guy’s motorcycle, and held hands with someone on a hilltop looking up at the stars together.  My absolute favorite date ever is once when I went with a guy to the aquarium, and we got to see a little newborn baby sea otter with its mother.

I’ve given to charities, including children’s hospitals, cancer charities, and charities that help poverty stricken people learn to grow their own food.

I’ve done all kinds of hobbies: dance, karate, ice skating, roller blading, horseback riding, and so many more.  I’ve also taken lessons in guitar, voice, and creative writing.  I’ve performed music in front of people.  I’ve been a part of feminist clubs and writer’s groups and acting camps.

I’ve taken trips -  to Washington DC and Philadelphia (where I saw the Declaration of Independence and the original Constitution), road trips all across the Western United States, Disneyland and Disneyworld trips, and a cruise I took with my family to the Bahamas (where I discovered lots of fun but also my first real taste of global poverty).  

I’ve tried camping and whitewater rafting, gone swimming and snorkeling in the ocean, been to rock concerts, had foreign pen pals, and gone on night hikes and trips to the fair.  I’ve been to comic cons and art museums alike.  I’ve gone to themed costume parties.

I stayed up at a bookstore till midnight for the release of the seventh Harry Potter book.

I was once featured in my local college chapter of Humans of New York.  At an on campus coffee shop, the barista accidentally made me two espressos instead of one.  I offered my second to a guy who turned out to be a photographer for the “Humans Of” art movement.  He took a picture of me in a pretty purple sweater and put up a quote from me talking about the undervaluing of introversion in our culture, and how sad it is that I’m judged because I spend time alone in contemplation and reading.

I’ve had two jobs: a job as an assistant librarian in high school, and then an internship as a business writer for an environmental organization during one summer in college.

On top of that, I love my family, I love my pets, and I’ve had incredible friends.  My friendships have ranged from the wife of a college professor, to a Christian waitress and bartender who wants to open her own small business, to a Goth linguistics major.

I’ve lived in several different places and gone to two different colleges.  I’ve studied not only English, social science, and philosophy, but also business and Marketing.

I would consider myself spiritual and politically involved.  I’m a Buddhist Christian and a liberal.  I meditate and pray, and often sign online petitions.  I firmly believe my vote counts.

My favorite classical novels are Jane Eyre and Frankenstein.  My favorite romantic comedy is 500 Days of Summer.  My favorite contemporary romance novels were all written by John Green.

My first kiss was when I was 21; my first boyfriend walked me back to my college dorm room door, and when I asked shyly for a kiss, he gave me a soft, chaste one.  

For senior prom, I bought a lavender ball gown and rented a white limo and went stag with my girlfriends.  Our prom took place on an old tourist trap retired aircraft carrier.  There was free candy and rides below deck, and then a dance held amid the giant hulking shapes of retired planes above-deck.  The California city lights sparkled out over the calm water.  I laughed and danced dorkily with my friends.

My 21st birthday was a quiet glass of wine at a nice Italian restaurant with some girlfriends.  I love wine - the really smooth, moist red wines are my favorite.  I also like mixed drinks.  Brandy Alexanders and French 75s are fabulous.  I love trying interesting drinks.  I’m one of those fruity, sophisticated drinkers.

I adore coffee - dark roast, strong, and black, please - and my two big vices are long, hot showers and sleeping in way too late.  I love pugs, Studio Ghibli movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton in general, Harry Potter, The Beatles, My Chemical Romance, Mindless Self Indulgence, Paramore, Cage the Elephant, and Depeche Mode.  My favorite pop stars are Lady Gaga and Sia.  I adore strong female musicians because I still don’t think we see their example often enough.

I’m big on body positivity because I used to be so chronically underweight.  I’m the boss at loving unpopular ships.  I love all body types and both men and women, but I am physically unattracted to under confident, unhealthy, or unkind people.  I am still a virgin at 23 because it takes a long time for trust to form before I am comfortable with physical intimacy.  I believe that it is ethical to use animals for food as long as we respect the animals and give them a good, painless life.  I’m a keen science nerd, and I have a fascination with the ocean and space.  (Along with sea glass, cobwebs, witches, ghosts, and anything else mysterious.)  I love laughter, standup comedy, and ASMR videos.

Essentially, what I’m saying is, yes a lot of the things in my life have sucked.  But I still love life.  I’m in love with living, just as I have accepted the idea of death, God, the afterlife, and reincarnation.  I love life and death equally.  I believe you can’t have one without the other.

I hope to live for a really long time and I wouldn’t give up my life for anything.

[wikitopx]

The largest city on the mainland in the United States.

The largest urban park system. The most coastline of any Florida city. There is so much to see and do in Jax, we want to make sure you know what our must-do attractions are, so you can plan the best visit to their very active destination. I. Here are the top 10 ranked attractions in Jax, take a look at them.

[toc]

1. Catty Shack Ranch

This tiger-focused farm has a conservation mission, often rescuing tigers and other large cats from inhumane captivity. Volunteers make field trips to the farm, provide cat history and explain their activities in detail.

Buy tickets ahead of time for a night of feeding. Watching the cats pace around their cages to tear into whole carcasses is an experience like no other.

Location: 1860 Starratt Rd, Downtown, FL 32226

2. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Indulge in European-inspired art and gardens along the St. Johns at Cummer. Originally home to art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, the museum focuses on diversity, dynamic art and the beauty of nature. With an expansive, interactive children’s exhibit, the Cummer is the perfect attraction for art lovers of all ages.

Location: 829 Riverside Ave, Downtown, FL 32204

3. Little Talbot Island

Enjoy a five-mile stretch of pristine shoreline in the middle of a maritime forest. Fishing enthusiasts are likely to catch flounder, sheepshead, and more. Bring your binoculars for a chance to see predators perched on treetops or brush shore for sparkling seashells.

Location: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Downtown, FL 32226

4. Big Talbot Island

Swamps, marshes, bike paths, and secret beaches, that's the magic you'll find at Big Talbot. Blackrock Beach and Boneyard Beach are the highlights, be sure to enjoy a guided kayak tour or go for a hike.

Address: State Road A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, FL 32226

5. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Since 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo has supported wildlife conservation on a beautiful waterfront landscape. Grown-ups and little ones alike will love feeding the giraffes at the African Overlook and watching the otters float along in the Wild Florida exhibit.

The zoo also houses an Australian Adventure, featuring colorful birds called lorikeets. Tigers wandering over their heads at the Land of the Tiger and Jaguars shows stole the show at their award-winning show. During your visit, step onto the zoo’s scenic Trout River dock. You might even spot a manatee!

Location: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Downtown, FL 32218

6. The Florida Theatre

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Theatre is one of only four remaining high-style Movie Palaces built in the state in the 1920s.

It now hosts more than 200 annual events, everything from ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country, and blues concerts, this is a cultural and entertainment center in the middle of Downtown Jacksonville.

Location: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

7. Riverside/Avondale

Eclectic, bohemian, historical and hip, these are a few words commonly used to describe this Jacksonville county. Voted as one of the country’s Top 10 Great Neighborhoods, and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, the Riverside/Avondale district has a unique mix of history, culture, charm and modern design.

Located just a few blocks from the St. Johns River, the district’s “Five Points” area is a bohemian neighborhood with funky coffee shops, outdoor cafés, great local dining, one-of-a-kind shopping, nightclubs, antique stores and more.

Shoppes of Avondale, another district highlight, features an eclectic mix of local-owned restaurants, clothing shops and moss-covered streets of Spain.

Beautiful historic homes and grand city parks are the norms in Riverside/Avondale. Enjoy a self-guided tour or take a guided bicycle tour of the most architecturally significant structures in the area.

8. Kingsley Plantation

Located on the Fort George Island marsh side, Kingsley Plantation plays a large role in Florida’s complicated history. The 1814 plantation house and its surrounding structures, all preserved by the National Park Service, shed light on a different era in the South. Make time to explore the unique tabby houses, built and inhabited by the Plantation’s slaves.

Location: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226

9. Beaches Town Center

Located where the Atlantic Ocean and Hai Vuong Beach meet, this quaint and relaxing shopping and dining center offer some of the best shopping and dining in Jacksonville. Stroll through unique shops, beach shops, art galleries and fine dining options just steps from the ocean!

Location: 0 Atlantic Blvd, Hai Vuong Beach, FL 32266

10. St. Johns Town Center

With over 1.2 million square feet of open-air shopping and 175+ retailers and 20+ restaurants, the St. Johns Town Center is Jacksonville’s shopping mecca. There’s everything from Target to Tiffany & Co. and something for everyone - whether you're a savvy frater or a luxury lover.

There are also three hotels inside St. Town Center. Johns, so you can shop until you drop!

Location: 4663 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Iceland

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-jacksonville-703835.html

[montereybayaquarium]

Paws for a moment to check your voter registration. Remember, otters can’t vote for the ocean, but you shore can!

Check your registration status and pledge to vote at VoteForTheOcean.org!

[newportchamber]

Dive into a Sea of Lights this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, gingerbread houses, and reruns of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. SCUBA Santa has spoken, and all of the Aquarium’s animal residents have made the “Nice” list! Well, the vote is still out on Nuka the Northern sea otter. Apparently he’s been a bit “shellfish” this year.

Join the Aquarium this December for our annual Sea of Lights. Over half a million colorful lights and holiday decorations will surround visitors with the spirit of the season as they explore the Aquarium after hours. SCUBA Santa will be busy diving the Aquarium exhibits, posing for photos with visitors, and noting family Christmas wishes.

This family-friendly event kicks off with a special celebration on December 1 and 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission to the first Friday and Saturday of Sea of Lights is $2 plus two cans of nonperishable food. Entry is $10 per person without donation. Admission is free for Aquarium members, but they are encouraged to bring an item to donate. People may also donate pet food or new, unwrapped children's toys for the Newport Fire Department’s Holiday Toy Drive in place of a food donation.

Sea of Lights will continue to illuminate the Aquarium every following Friday and Saturday of December from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $10 or free with same day paid admission.

This year’s Sea of Lights is proudly presented by Walmart. Customers that spend over $100 at Walmart’s Newport, Oregon location beginning November 16 will receive a voucher for one free admission to Sea of Lights at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The offer is valid while supplies last and certain dates are subject to blackout. See store for details. Attendees using a voucher are encouraged, but not required, to make a food or toy donation.

The Aquarium is open every day, except December 25, this winter from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit aquarium.org or call (541) 867-3474.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium creates unique and engaging experiences that connect you to the Oregon Coast and inspire ocean conservation. An accredited Association of Zoos & Aquariums institution, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization is ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. Visit us at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook, or Twitter for the latest updates.

[discovernewport]

Dive into a Sea of Lights this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, gingerbread houses, and reruns of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. SCUBA Santa has spoken, and all of the Aquarium’s animal residents have made the “Nice” list! Well, the vote is still out on Nuka the Northern sea otter. Apparently he’s been a bit “shellfish” this year.

Join the Aquarium this December for our annual Sea of Lights. Over half a million colorful lights and holiday decorations will surround visitors with the spirit of the season as they explore the Aquarium after hours. SCUBA Santa will be busy diving the Aquarium exhibits, posing for photos with visitors, and noting family Christmas wishes.

This family-friendly event kicks off with a special celebration on December 1 and 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission to the first Friday and Saturday of Sea of Lights is $2 plus two cans of nonperishable food. Entry is $10 per person without donation. Admission is free for Aquarium members, but they are encouraged to bring an item to donate. People may also donate pet food or new, unwrapped children's toys for the Newport Fire Department’s Holiday Toy Drive in place of a food donation.

Sea of Lights will continue to illuminate the Aquarium every following Friday and Saturday of December from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $10 or free with same day paid admission.

This year’s Sea of Lights is proudly presented by Walmart. Customers that spend over $100 at Walmart’s Newport, Oregon location beginning November 16 will receive a voucher for one free admission to Sea of Lights at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The offer is valid while supplies last and certain dates are subject to blackout. See store for details. Attendees using a voucher are encouraged, but not required, to make a food or toy donation.

The Aquarium is open every day, except December 25, this winter from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit aquarium.org or call (541) 867-3474.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium creates unique and engaging experiences that connect you to the Oregon Coast and inspire ocean conservation. An accredited Association of Zoos & Aquariums institution, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization is ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. Visit us at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook, or Twitter for the latest updates.

[yamesutya]

1-154 all of them!! Because I want to know everything!! what the heck! I love you, have a lovely night :)

LMAO ANON YOU CRAZY I LOVE YOU THOUGH THANK YOU HAHA

(lol I’m working my way through them, it’s not quite done yet. ANON YOU BETTER SEE THIS LOL)

1. Full nameSonia Fan (that’s it, no middle name)

2. Zodiac signleo

3. 3 Fears bugs, the ocean, being alone/forgotten/left behind

4. 3 things I lovepuppies, tacos, traveling

5. 4 turns onsnice eyes, a good sense of humor, being open-minded, nicely kept hair (particularly the swooped up style that hector used to have)

6. 4 turns offs lack of communication, unfaithfulness, racism/general offensive behavior/lack of understanding of others, poor taste in sports teams lmao 

7. My best friend my roommate!

8. Sexual orientationstraight

9. My best first datelol ok well this might sound confusing but I’ve never really officially dated anyone (to me this means officially bf/gf), but I’ve gone on a nice date on valentine’s day and the relationship didn’t end up being weird even though it didn’t work out… we just went to the movies and dinner

11. What do I miss
LONDON, all the places I’ve traveled mostly… OOH, the animes I finished recently because I need them to come back RIGHT NOW

12. What time were I born
I actually don’t remember… 

13 Favourite colour purple

14. Do I have a crush
hm, not really, kind of still like the guy I was talking to a while ago but ATM it’s best I just focus on myself

15. Favourite quote
this isn’t necessarily my favorite, but one I’ve always remembered and liked is “the past is in the past, let it fucking GO”

16. Favourite place
london, hands down, can you tell? 

18. Do I use sarcasm
hahaha oh boy do I ever I’ve been sarcastic since day 1

19. What am I listening to right now
irl nothing lol 

20. First thing I notice in new person
their smile, how they carry themselves 

21. Shoe size
teeny tiny, 5-5 ½, sometimes a 6

22. Eye colour
brown

23. Hair colour
dark brown

24. Favourite style of clothing
anything in the color black lmao I kid you not. comfy, clean but cute and stylish I guess, I’m pretty basic tbh 

25. Ever done a prank call?
noooo

26. What colour of underwear I’m wearing now?
I had to check lmao, white

27. Meaning behind my URL
hector is the (albeit problematic but lovable) OG arsenal fav, he’s not the first reason I looked into arsenal, but he is what hooked me 

29. Favourite song
honestly I have a few, my most recent jams have been La Carretera (Prince Royce), Ya Me Enteré (Reik ft. Nicky Jam), Nunca Me Olvides (Yandel), aaand Caroline (Aminé) randomly

lots of latin music since I’ve had the local latin station on a lot lol

30. Favourite band
This Century, Marianas Trench 

31. How I feel right now
a little stressed, but doing ok

32. Someone I love
my parents

33. My current relationship status
single, a little confused and sad, but still sort of ready to mingle

34. My relationship with my parents
I get cranky when I stay at home too much these days, but it’s good so far and I love them, I miss them every time I leave. I don’t tell them enough but I’m super thankful for the life they’ve given me, I graduate soon and I know when that happens and I see them I’m going to be emotional 

36. Tattoos and piercings?
used to have my ears pierced, no tattoos  

Tattoos and piercing i want
one day I’ll probably get my ears pierced again, and I actually do want a few tattoos even though when I was younger I never thought I would. I want some purple flowers on my wrist, and potentially ones involving arizona, where I’m from, maybe my astrological sign or some kind of soul animal, but I’m not sure about those so it’d be a while if I were to get the last two

37. The reason I joined Tumblr
my friend had one and it looked fun lol. and I was just getting into kpop 

38. Do I and my last ex hate each other?
um. he’s not even really an ex since we were still figuring things out. but we’re a bit awkward. we’re just both dumb and stubborn tbh

39. Do I ever get “good morning” or “good night ” texts?
i have occasionally

40. Have I ever kissed the last person you texted?
it’s my dad, so kind of yes lol

41. When did I last hold hands?
october…?

42. How long does it take me to get ready in the morning?
if I’m not showering I can get ready in 20 minutes but it’s nothing fancy

43. Have I shaved your legs in the past three days?
yes actually

44. Where am I right now?
my apartment kitchen table 

45. If I were drunk & can’t stand, who’s taking care of me?
probably my roommate 

46. Do I like my music loud or at a reasonable level?
reasonable

47. Do I live with my Mom and Dad?
not at the moment

48. Am I excited for anything?
my sports classes, nervous-excited for graduation, spring break…

49. Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to?
yesss, he is my self-titled gbf actually lol

50. How often do I wear a fake smile?
when I’m working games for my athletics department internship haha, it’s not super forced but I do smile a little harder purposefully

51. When was the last time I hugged someone?
today! some of my fellow senior friends because almost graduating is weird

52. What if the last person I kissed was kissing someone else rightin front of me?
it would be real bad, I’m not good at taking things like that. I’d have to leave, if I was drunk I’d probably cry and potentially throw up. this is only because the last person I kissed I really liked, if it was a person I randomly made out with one time it wouldn’t be that bad

53. Is there anyone I trust even though I should not?
probably the guy I keep talking about in this, he is a good person who can be trusted, I probably just trusted him with too much of me when we both weren’t ready for each other (ew was that too deep I’m sorry lol)

54. What is something I disliked about today?
being too tired to properly read as much for my homework as I had wanted, boo :(

56. What do I think about most?
at the moment, my future, and also the animes I’ve recently watched 

57. What’s my strangest talent?
I can lick my elbow and I have super flexible/hyper-extended knees (idk are these even talents lmao)

58. Do I have any strange phobias?
that one where you don’t like tons of tiny holes in things

59. Do I prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?I’d be lying if I said just behind, but I do like taking pictures since I take pretty good ones, so it’s a little of both. I like attention though so mostly in front haha unless I’m doing dumb things

60. What was the last lie I told?
I said I’d bring in the routes I was supposed to deliver posters to for my internship, but I’m going to making up notes and turning it in to get paid even though I didn’t deliver any, oops 

61. Do I prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?
video chatting, I hate talking on the phone for some reason

62. Do I believe in ghosts? How about aliens?
not really, I’m not against believing in them, I just don’t really think about them much

63. Do I believe in magic?hmmmmmm yes…

64. Do I believe in luck?
yeah, I’d say I do, I believe in fate a little at least

65. What’s the weather like right now?
chilly

66. What was the last book I’ve read?
I recently restarted Soccernomics, but I haven’t had time to read again lately

67. Do I like the smell of gasoline?
not really

68. Do I have any nicknames?
not any that have stuck

69. What was the worst injury I’ve ever had?
I’m a baby, nothing worse than cuts, bruises, scrapes, etc. 

70. Do I spend money or save it?
lol I’m not the worst but I’m a spender

71. Can I touch my nose with a tongue?
yes!

72. Is there anything pink in 10 feets from me?
one of my G2 pens

73. Favourite animal?
DOGS ALL THE DOGS, but also otters, lions and foxes, red pandas… 

74. What was I doing last night at 12 AM?
watching youtube videos lol

75. What do I think is Satan’s last name is?
um…? no answer? idk

76. What’s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it?


How can you win my heart?


What would I want to be written on my tombstone?


What is my favourite word


My top 5 blogs on tumblr


If the whole world were listening to me right now, what would Isay?


Do I have any relatives in jail?


I accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good,and what’s even cooler is that they endow me with the super-power of my choice!What is that power?


What would be a question I’d be afraid to tell the truth on?


What is my current desktop picture?


Had sex?


Bought condoms?


Gotten pregnant?


Failed a class?


Kissed a boy?


Kissed a girl?


Have I ever kissed somebody in the rain?


Had job?


Left the house without my wallet?


Bullied someone on the internet?


Had sex in public?


Played on a sports team?


Smoked weed?


Did drugs?


Smoked cigarettes?


Drank alcohol?


Am I a vegetarian/vegan?


Been overweight?


Been underweight?


Been to a wedding?


Been on the computer for 5 hours straight?


Watched TV for 5 hours straight?


Been outside my home country?


Gotten my heart broken?


Been to a professional sports game?


Broken a bone?


Cut myself?


Been to prom?


Been in airplane?


Fly by helicopter?


What concerts have I been to?


Had a crush on someone of the same sex?


Learned another language?


Wore make up?


Lost my virginity before I was 18?


Had oral sex?


Dyed my hair?


Voted in a presidential election?


Rode in an ambulance?


Had a surgery?


Met someone famous?


Stalked someone on a social network?


Peed outside?


Been fishing?


Helped with charity?


Been rejected by a crush?


Broken a mirror?


What do I want for birthday?


How many kids do I want and what will be their names?


Was I named after anyone?


Do I like my handwriting?


What was my favourite toy as a child? 

Favourite Tv Show?


Where do I want to live when older?


Play any musical instrument?


One of my scars, how did I get it?


Favourite pizza toping?


Am I afraid of the dark?


Am I afraid of heights?


Have I ever got caught sneaking out or doing anything bad?


Have I ever tried my hardest and then gotten disappointed in theend?

What I’m really bad at


What my greatest achievements are


The meanest thing somebody has ever said to me


What I’d do if I won in a lottery


What do I like about myself


My closest Tumblr friend


Something I fantasise about my ex

Ask me stuff!

[montereybayaquarium]

Sometimes, the world can feel like a pretty overwhaleming place. Voting for the things you love and care about in tomorrow's election is just one small first step you can take in shaping a better future for our planet and for future generations.

We're taking action for our ocean along with 21 aquariums across the country to showcase first steps we can all take to conserve our planet. Whether it's ditching the straw for No Straw November, using alternative transportation for your daily commute, or embracing your seavic duty to voice your opinion in the upcoming election, together we all have the power to make a big impact. ❤️

[montereybayaquarium]

🚨 Attention California Voters! 🚨 Tomorrow is the voter registration deadline! Make your voice for the ocean heard: www.vote.org

[montereybayaquarium]

🚨 Attention California voters! 🚨 TODAY is the voter registration deadline! Make your voice for the ocean heard: www.vote.org

[montereybayaquarium]

It’s National Voter Registration Day! Voting is one of the most pawerful ways you can influence the conservation of our ocean. You otter be a voter!