Dinosaurs!
Proper flossing is a must
I encountered a small exhibit of them at The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas, which is right here in my neck of the woods.
My children went through a period when they both loved anything to do with prehistoric reptiles. I delighted in this interest, because I had wanted to be an archaeologist for a short time when I was young — which was two decades before Indiana Jones made archaeology seem exciting.
Dinosaur nursery
The Heard had an impressive collection for such a small museum, with fossils, crystals, and even a display of live reptiles. My children would have loved the place, and would have been begging to play in the “dinosaur dig.” It’s basically a giant sandbox that has been “seeded” with surprise “fossils” so the kids can discover them as they pretend to be archaeologists.
Unfortunately, the idea of digging in the sand is what kept me from being an archaeologist. You see, we had a sandbox in our back yard when I was young. The neighborhood cats “seeded” it with surprises — but believe me they didn’t leave “fossils!”
It looks like a sculpture, but it is fossilized flowers!
Because my kids loved digging in the sand so much, when they got older I thought they wouldn’t mind the chore of scooping out the cat litter boxes. Every time they complained I told them, “Pretend it’s the dino dig.” Trust me, this doesn’t work on teenagers.
I’ll tell you more about the wildlife sanctuary part of The Heard in another post. If you are parents of small children (and traveling in this part of Texas) you will want to check out the exhibits. McKinney is a delightful town for a visit, and I’ll have more information on that, as well.
This is Monochrome Monday at Aileni’s blog. Visit some other photographers (ones who can actually shoot photographs!) who are smitten with black and white photos.
Other posts you might enjoy:
{ 13 comments }
Great post – dinosaur exhibits have provided young artists with perfect pencil exercise so why not photographers.
Sandboxes are universally ‘seeded’ by cats – I think there’s a gene for it.
.-= Aileni´s last blog ..Pennyhitch, Penrice, Gower,Wales. 1965. =-.
Totally cool place – love to put it on my list to visit someday…
.-= Desert Diva´s last blog ..Manic Monday =-.
I spent many a weekend explorint the museums in Boston when I was a young teenager. I could get lost for hours and hours in the exhitbits.
Everything becomes a fossil, if you wait long enough… which is apparently what you AND your kids did!
.-= Barb – WillThink4Wine´s last blog ..seven and a half weeks =-.
Fascinating and well shot!
.-= Daryl´s last blog ..monday mosaic =-.
I’m so in love with that last shot! It does indeed look sculptural. How big is it? Would it fit on my mantle? Can I hide it under my coat?
.-= Thorne´s last blog ..Through an Aged Lens =-.
Very cool. There was a similar exhibit at a children’s museum we went to once, my kids loved it.
.-= Robin´s last blog .."Foo’ing" the grandpa flowers =-.
Hi!
Great B & W photos!! The photos look like they are really and you dug them out of a trunk somewhere. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
.-= Sherrie´s last blog ..MONOCHROME MANICS =-.
Ha! The dual-usage of the sandbox my son-in-law built here a couple years back for the kids -them digging and the local cats liking it too -got that sandbox turned into my little garden space this spring as the son-in-law brought home two big loads of topsoil and mulch, dumped it in there and I planted several rows of veggies in there. And, surprise, surprise -the stuff is even growing too!
And kids wanting to be archeologists too struck a chord, reminding me of when I was in the hospital for my first surgery six years ago this summer, older daughter brought my grandson, Alex, to visit me and he brought with him a get-well card he had made for me. Complimenting him on his artistic talents, I remarked that maybe he would grow up to be very artistic, like my son is. The grandson though set me straight as he said “No, I will probably just be a paleoentologist when I grow up!” Whoa Bessie! Here was a not-quite-six-year old using words/names I’d never heard of until I was well beyond high school and he was just polishing off kindergarten! He’s still fascinated with that topic along with dinosaurs and such and will be 12, come August.
.-= Jeni Hill Ertmer´s last blog ..New Projects =-.
Excellent series! I love fossil hunting on the coast of Northern Ireland, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen (let alone find!) fossil flowers before!
.-= kitty´s last blog ..Today’s Flower: Out in the Rain =-.
We had a dinosaur exibit here too. I didn’t go though.
My kids loved dinosaurs too when they were little. The cat box is another story ! My daughter wanted to be a archaeologist too! She loves digging in the dirt. (Just not the cat box) Now she decided she wants to work in a crime lab. Digging just not for dinosaurs.(-: Although, some old people are referred to as fossils….(-:
.-= cindee´s last blog ..CaCtUs MoNdAy =-.
I liked the pictures almost as much as your text. Can’t trust those neighborhood kitties in such a big litterbox.
.-= Clueless in Boston´s last blog ..Monochrome Monday =-.
It wasn’t the digging in dirt that put an end to my dreams of archeology, it was the fact that most digs happen in very hot places. The Heard does look like a fascinating place to visit.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Manic Monday – Shower =-.
Love your monochrome pics…this is a great idea.
We live close to Dinosaur State Park. It is one of the most visited parks in the state. One of the nearby lakes has huge dinosaur foot prints in the rocks. It is pretty fun.
I could go on digs, I love the desert.
Sheila
.-= Sheila Atwood´s last blog ..Guest Post – Forums are Social Media =-.
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