World's Largest Owl and More Inspire, Amaze

Aurora, the world's largest owl, is making her debut this week at our new Owl Legends show and visitors are raving. Meeting this Eurasian eagle owl, with her six-foot wingspan, along with other live owls is a remarkable way to discover the natural science wonders as well as the myths surrounding these creatures.

Seeing her blazing orange eyes and powerful feet up close is an unforgettable experience. And, to demonstrate the night hunting adaptations of owls, you first will feel the Harris hawk swoop over your head and hear her feathers in the process.

But when the barn owl flies over the audience, there's silence. Barn owls are known for superior hearing and keen night vision. Their heart shaped facial disks and white coloration make them unmistakable.

When the great horned owl, the largest owl found regularly in the High Desert, circulates on the gloved arm of a wildlife specialist, its eyes follow you.

Owls have long been shrouded in mystery. This is a unique chance to explore the legends, myths, folklore and science surrounding our native night hunters. They have influenced fashion, been the muse of Picasso, appear in prehistoric cave paintings and remain the friend of farmers (they are still the most elegant and effective rodent control).

Learn why owls are revered in some cultures and greatly feared in others. What is a “ghost owl” and how did it earn that name? Do great horned owls really eat skunks and cats? Do “guardians among the owls” exist, such as in the new film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole?

Compare legend with reality as internationally recognized raptor biologist James Dawson reveals secrets about these hunters of the sky and how they live in with wild.

11a.m. and 1 p.m. through Saturday (closed Thanksgiving Day).
Members: $5; Non-members $7 plus Museum admission.
Tickets and information: www.highdesertmuseum.org

New Sensational Saturday Deepens Butterfly Discovery

This Saturday, families will get creative and have fun with activities building on the excitement of our live Butterflies exhibit. As you observe metamorphosis live and up close, the amazing change from chrysalis to butterfly inspires fun for children and parents. Hence the name Sensational Saturday!

It's a great chance for all ages to learn together about the unique animals that go through metamorphosis and how they fill their niche in High Desert ecosystems.

“Sensational Saturdays will take one of the many educational messages associated with the exhibit and expand on it with hands-on, inquiry based activities,” said Dana Whitelaw, vice president of programs. “These educational activities allow visitors to engage all the senses to further explore and learn.”

With each Sensational Saturday this winter, families can deepen their knowledge. Educational elements range from the butterfly and moth’s influences in global cultures, to migration, adaptation and diversity.

On December 18, the Sensational Saturday theme is “Myths and Legends of Lepidoptera,” in which families discover how cultures throughout the world have made the butterfly and moth (Order Lepidoptera) an important part of their heritage. China, Mexico, and many other countries have stories, art, and clothing influenced by these marvelous winged wonders. Activities including butterfly art allow you explore these legends from around the globe.

On January 15, Sensational Saturday poses the thematic question “Why Do Butterflies Taste Bad?” Families will learn why monarchs taste bad to predators, how the blue morpho flashes color to protect itself and more amazing adaptations of butterflies.

Sensational Saturdays activities run continuously from 10 am to 4 pm, and are included in admission (free for Museum members).

New Butterflies Taking Flight

Big fluffy snowflakes are swirling outside, and inside lots of new, brilliantly colored butterflies are alighting daily in our Butterflies exhibit. One new kind is the zebra longwing, which has long, narrow black wings with vibrant yellow stripes. Dozens of other species, such as the paper kite butterfly that landed on the finger of the young visitor in the photo above, are fluttering all around freely in this lush, humid, plant-filled environment.

As you explore, you'll learn amazing things. Did you know caterpillars have 4,000 muscles, compared with humans, which have 629? It's the contractions of all of those caterpillar muscles that propel them forward.

So, move a few muscles of your own, and come explore this wonderful new exhibit!