| FRIENDSHIP COVE |
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| Killer Whales? Friendship Cove? Is it me?... Or does this title have a slight ring of an oxymoron ? Hmm? |
| One of my most exciting adventures took place today, watching the ORCAS at the Cove, at MARINELAND!!! Or should I say misadventure? |
| I arrived at THE FRIENDSHIP COVE, shortly after a show finished. I had to make sure, I'd have a good position, right in front, to shoot a close-up video for the next show. I knew I'd have to wait around for about an hour or so, but that was fine. I figured this would be one of the wildest blogs and vlogs that I'd ever do. I just cruised around figuring out my angles and best positions to get the eyes of the KILLER WHALES in my shots. (I always try to get the eyes to capture the personality of the animals). I had my choice..... I could have stood anywhere I wanted . I asked one of the guides that was around the gigantic pond, where the splash area was, and she cordially told me, the grey fence was the wet zone. The guides, attendants, trainers, animal handlers and every employee I've ever talked to at Marineland, are the politest, most helpful and friendly people you could ever meet. They truly care that you enjoy all the rides, attractions, and events. But, at the same time they consider safety, paramount. It's better to listen to them, and just go with the flow. They're totally aware of anything that could go wrong, and they warn you about it. For example: Take off your sunglasses, when you're checking out the walrus tank at The Aquarium Dome... You could lose your shades if they slipped off.... But even worse, a walrus wouldn't hesitate to gulp them down!! ..... That ain't gonna' do anybody any good..... You or the Walrus!! Another thing I learned, is don't carry any lose objects with you on The Sky Screamer, (check out that video)... and you'll see why. I have to admit, I was warned about the splash zone at the KILLER WHALE pond, but I studied them for over an hour..... and I figured I could see a whale coming from a mile away!! I had every angle covered! From one of my previous entertaining treks to The Friendship Cove, I even staked out the whale fly and dive areas, and the tail fin slapping spots, I figured I'D KNOW when to run for cover if a whale got too close to my camera ..... ah, it's not waterproof.... Anyways..... The show started and it was all good, until I saw a trainer slapping the surface of the water way over in our area. I figured, what's up with that ? I knew it was some kind of signal, or a subtle command for one of the beautiful black and white giants to do something.... BUT WHAT? Then it happened!! I never saw it coming! People still say to me, What do you mean you never saw it coming? It was a whale, man.... how can you NOT see a whale coming? It was a disaster! I was totally bombarded and drenched from head to toe! I TRIED TO DRY MY CAMERA OFF WITH MY SHIRT, but there wasn't a dry spot on my shirt, especially when I hurled up seawater all over it!.... and there's more than just salt in that water, folks.... THERE'S WHALE DUNG! I swallowed a lot of KILLER WHALE DNA that day! I'm serious!! For a few seconds, I couldn't catch my breath!! It was almost like drowning! I was devastated, 'cause my camera wouldn't work any more, so I took off home to find a hair dryer.....which is ironic .... 'cause my head is shaved right to the wood, right down to the grain! Anyways check out the video. It's all true, and this is the background story, to another video tour. Another day in THE CITY OF THRILLS. |