Camera lessons

The Vivarium reopened for the holiday season.  Thrilled to return to my Happy Place.

A savvy visitor schooled me on camera adjustments. Now able to take finer photos.

Volunteer pal, Rosemary offers a look at an Owl butterfly on an orange.

AMNH News

Two news items were revealed today. One about opening, the other about closing.

ITEM NUMBER ONE:  Natural History museum expansion ok, judge rules. NY Daily News.

A model of the 235,000-square-foot Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation, to be built at The American Museum of Natural History. The facility is expected to open in 2020, at the conclusion of the museum’s 150th anniversary celebration.
More here.

Update from The West Side Rag, December 19: 
Museum Construction Halted Again After Judge Intervenes.
“A stay pending appeal, in this case, is like a temporary restraining order,” the attorney for the group fighting expansion, Michael Hiller said. “The stay in this case would prevent the Museum and/or the City from taking any action in the Park that would adversely affect its greenspace. That means they can do things like tree protection and root fertilizing; but they can’t take down any trees or bushes; can’t eliminate any grass, knolls, or pathways; and cannot otherwise interfere with the public’s use of the Park. The Court granted the relief, but on an immediate, interim basis, meaning that the temporary restraining order went into effect right away, but it will last only until a full panel of judges (five in all) can consider extending it indefinitely.”

 

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ITEM NUMBER TWO: Email
From:               Hazel Davis, Director of Living Exhibits
Subject:            Vivarium Closing
Real Subject:   Mouse eradication

Dear Volunteers,

Many of you have noticed the vivarium is in immediate need of maintenance, and so will

be closed to the public from tomorrow, Wednesday 12th, through December 25th. We hope to address the current situation during that time, but may close again for a period in early January. 

We will be open for our busy holiday period from December 26th through January 2nd and will definitely need your help during that time. If you have not already done so, please let us know if you will miss your shift that week. 

We greatly appreciate your dedication to the Butterfly Conservatory and our visitors. 

Please confirm you have received this message.

Thank you for your patience and Happy Holidays, Hazel