strange by nature

snuggly skatie

2009-12-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

it is cold and gross outside, but its ok because i made myself a new friend. this is skatie, a plush version of raja erinacia. this is the result of one obsessive compulsive all night sew-athon and i'm rather pleased with the results. i think i want to get more into hand-sewing. its "sew" easy to get into and the results are always snuggly.

time to play "name that animal"!

2009-11-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

i have begun getting into the habit of photographing as many different animals as i come across, and have realized that i have alot to learn. there are so many creatures and it is so difficult to find out what they are. i'm sure as i get more books that this will be easier over time, but for now, i need some help. first on the agenda is this beetle. it is about an inch and a half long and the ends of its short antenae are feathered. the pinchers are menacing and its shell is a deep burgundy. i have two specimens that were found in downtown portland. can you tell me what it is?

Aquarium

2009-10-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I got to go to the aquarium this past weekend for the first time in as long as I can remember. I think it was more fun for me as an adult, but then again I am a total zoology nerd. The animals were adorable and awesome.

There were also three species of penguin, the prettiest were the rock hoppers. I think this one on the top of the rock fancied himself their leader. He does have a pretty sick 'do.

Lobsters aren't particularly rare to sea in Boston Harbor, but this one was bright turquoise as a result of a rare genetic mutation. Sometimes there are even white lobsters which are even more rare.

I also got some intimidating although fuzzy shots of this sharks massively menacing maw (hoorah for alliteration!)

We almost missed the jelly fish exhibit that was tucked away in the basement. Jellies are nasty little stingers but they are oh so perty, and they stay still when you photograph them.

My favorite by far was this sea turtle that would follow you around the tank and look at you. She was such a ham for the camera, we called her ham turtle. She gave me a bunch of great photos. I wish museums and zoos didn't cost so much so that i could go every weekend. Someday i hope to have a job or at least volunteer at a museum. Yay goals!

meh

2009-10-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

I don't have alot to say today. I'm working on a few things that should be up soon, but for now check out this box of stuff i found and procured. There is a fetal pig heart, a chickadee skull and a water scorpion found in the parking lot of the dogfish. Seagull bones on the top and a broach i found at the goodwill. I think its pretty.

Harvard Natural History Museum

2009-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Yay! We went to the museum in Cambridge the other week. Awesome. I've never seen so many awesome reconstructions and collections in one place. It definitely motivated me to keep working. I also learned recently that you need a permit to handle wildlife even after its dead. I need to get on that before i start learning taxidermy. Anyway, here are some pictures;