Welcome to another Nature Friday where we connect with those cute pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang where folks share slices of nature in their neighborhoods. Wilson here. Although I’m getting groomed later this morning…much to my chagrin, I told Mum I still wanted to narrate today’s post. So let’s get started, shall we? There’ll be a ton of photos for you to wade through.
Wilson: Ok, everyone, let’s go back to the museum, shall we? Here’s another view of the downtown skyline featuring the water feature/splash pad. And for the record, not a box cutter in sight, only folks enjoying being cooled off. Those jets were super powerful and you needed to make sure to not look directly in the jets to protect your eyeballs.
Wilson: After touring the World’s Largest Dinosaur exhibit, it was time to mosey down to the second level to check out the various exhibits in the North American, Edge of the Wild and Australia halls.
This 502 year old Ponderosa tree ring from the Colorado’s White River National Forest greeted visitors as they entered the exhibit hall. We all were fascinated how the way climate change was displayed over the years and how they lined up with the various historical events that took place during that tree’s life.
Wilson: Mum thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘how to make a diorama’ exhibit. She loves seeing how all those fascinating sights were created. The artistry of the various dioramas was so impressive, from the making of casts to the painting by with muralists of the backgrounds.
The Mum: Muralists painstakingly create/paint the backgrounds to make the taxidermy look realistic and each rock, blade of grass, tree branch and leaves are meticulously put into place, one at a time. It’s quite astounding.
Wilson: There was such a variety of animals to see but I think this one was likely your favorite, wasn’t it Mum?
The Mum: Oh yes, I’ve always been intrigued with bats so this very cool diorama of them hanging from a rock wall really piqued my interest. It was incredibly realistic.
Wilson: {shudder} Not sure I would want to be around those squeaky things but you do you, Mum. Critters like these are probably more my style.
The Mum: It was so much fun walking through all the isles. It was almost unbelievable how truly lifelike various exhibits were.
Wilson: You managed to see quite a lot of animals. I’ll bet little Halia had a good time.
The Mum: She really did enjoy herself. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that lion but she told me, “He’s pretty big” very nonchalantly. You gotta love how kids view the world around them.
Wilson: We all look at nature in our own ways. Well that’s it from us. I gotta get ready for a grooming and bath {ugh}. I still don’t understand why I get tortured like this every six weeks.
The Mum: It’s not that bad, Miss Sydney is super kind, you’ll get lots of praise and attention, you’ll smell great and be pristine clean. Besides, even though we’re technically past the “Dog Days of Summer” you’ll feel better with less hair insulating your body. It’s still very warm and I’m just trying to keep you comfortable.
Wilson: Trust me Mum, I’m comfortable just the way I am. I really don’t need your ‘help.’
The Mum: Sorry bud, we all have to do things we don’t like. But if you cooperate nicely, you’ll get through it quicker and can resume life as a lounge lizard in a few hours. Just focus on all the treat you’ll be receiving.
Wilson: Oh yeah, treats. Well at least I will be compensated for this abuse. Whatever you do, we hope you have a great weekend and are able get out and enjoy all the amazing sights nature provides us.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Hope you survived the grooming, Wilson. Abbi sympathizes with you. It’s almost time for her to go. You both are loved so much, that’s why we take you for grooming!
That museum looks awesome to visit! The koalas and zebras were my favorites!! ❤️ So many amazing animals!
Wishing you both a wonderful weekend!
Awesome photos. That looks like a great place to visit.
Thanks. It’s such a fun place and can entertain young and old alike. We hope you have a great weekend.
I love museums. Great photos!
Forgot how good their taxidermy and dioramas are, it’s like New York’s natural history museum. Although there is something so funny about bad taxidermy!
You’re right on both counts. They do an amazing job and bad taxidermy can be hysterical. Have a good weekend, Lisa.
Wilson, I don’t know what rock I have been living under, but I had never heard the word diorama before today. The exhibits are amazing, and it clearly is a labor of love to put those scenes together and make them as realistic as they are. It is cool The Mum served as a docent there. That had to be a lot of fun, especially seeing little ones react to the exhibits. As for having your grooming and bath on deck, I know you don’t consider it fun, but you surely know the “afterparty” will be epic. Stay calm and carry on. You guys have a great weekend!
A diorama is merely a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures, either in miniature or as a large-scale museum exhibit. The ones at the museum are behind glass. It’s like going to assorted rooms.
I’m sure Wilson will be happy once I invite him up on the bed. He always smells so good when he’s been groomed. Have a wonderful weekend. It’s hotter than Hades today and likely through the weekend so we plan on staying inside!
This looks so fun and interesting! Thx for sharing the great photos. And thx Wilson for the great tour! Good boy now go get groomed. 😎
Another lovely post, Monika. Your photos are amazing.
Wilson Honey, I enjoyed every inch of the blog! Every inch!!!
Well, aren’t you just the sweetest for saying that? 💙 We’re so glad you stop by and hope you have an absolutely best weekend!
It was a lot for her to take in but she was a real trooper. That museum is great for big and little kids. 😉 Have a marvelous weekend.
Terrific exhibits! Must have been a blast with a little one tagging along. 🙂
A bath every 6 six weeks? I’ll call dog protective services. This is abuse! 🙂
Haha…I’m sure Wilson would agree with you. If he wasn’t such a piglet, we could go 8 weeks but this dog almost seems to seek dirt when walking. Enjoy a great weekend.
WOW……what an amazing exhibit. Reminds me a bit of the Smithsonian downtown in DC here with the fabulously recreated dioramas with taxidermy – animals you could NEVER see up close in “real life”. Halia’s comment was precious!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Thanks. Yes, it does seem like a mini Smithsonian. The museum’s dioramas are truly amazing and you feel like you’re in the Serengeti or at an Arctic location. The mind is able to imagine the natural world…something I don’t think kids get enough of that these days. Have a wonderful weekend.
This is my kind of adventure. Beautiful. I wish I’d been with you.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. Love and hugs to you and lots of scritches to handsome Wilson. ♥
We’d have loved showing you around-you’d have loved it. This is a terrific museum that seems to have something for everyone. Have a fantastic weekend, dear Sandee.
What beautiful natural pictures.
Thanks, Jacqui. I’m so glad we were able to take Halia to enjoy the natural world around her. We’ll definitely go back! Have a splendid weekend enjoy nature in your area.
I knew I missed my opportunity. I could have made possum dioramas with my expired visitors. Dang, why didn’t I think of that earlier? Great photos Monika. What a great museum!
Thanks, Tom. I can just picture an possum diorama in your pristine backyard. Just think of all the way you could pose the dearly departed. Course, you’ll need to work on the background murals but think of all the neighborhood kids who’d get educated about the natural world of Rancho Cucamonga. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy a fantastic weekend.
Wow! That is an exhibit I could get lost in for hours.
I love how it looks like the lion is licking Halia!
Happy weekend to you!
Thanks. Yes, it’s one of the best cultural venues in the metro area. Years ago I was a volunteer docent there and so much had changed since i was last there. I’ll definitely go back-it was totally amazing! Enjoy a wonderful weekend.
How wonderful that you were a docent there once upon a time.
And thank you!
I did two major exhibits (Ramses and Bears-both were absolutely fabulous) mostly just directing visitors but answering questions from museum visitors. They were so much fun. It never felt like work and I learned so much about the natural world and about myself. 😉
Oh wow. I could see myself doing this type of job now 🙂
You’d be a natural! I’m sure there are lots of museums that would welcome you as a volunteer.
Once I officially retire, mayhaps; though the idea of coming into town for it gives me the shudders.
I can totally appreciate it. I did it while I was still working but it wasn’t that far away from where I lived back then. I plan everything now by how far it is to drive there since I HATE driving in our crazy traffic. 😉 I like it better when Denver was a cow town. 😈
I am so fed up of the traffic, it is pushing me to retire after THIS season, rather than give them another…. I took this job in town because it was a mere 22-35 min. drive there and back. Now? Coming home takes on average 55-65 minutes. I hate it. My boss has the nerve to tell me she lives over an hour away. Well good for you, chick, You come in once, sometimes twice per week – way after and before rush hour so fuck off. It was NEVER my choice to take this much time in transit. I wouldn’t have taken the job otherwise. Sorry for my rant. 34 minutes left before the weekend…
No apologies necessary. I feel the same way. Sitting in traffic takes some of the luster off an otherwise good job.
And when you are thisclose to wanting to retire, it nudges you closer to the decision!