The Bandera Natural History Museum plans a month-long celebration of its eighth year in operation. Each Saturday in June, the museum plans to have a different event to help celebrate this notable anniversary.
On Saturday, June 1, Hill Country Natural Area Park Ranger Augie brought a presentation on animal adaptations to the Museum. Face painting with Darby was also available onsite for this kickoff event.
On Saturday, June 8, the Happy Tails Petting Zoo will visit with their critter friends. On Saturday, June 15, a presentation on Crocodilians with Thomas, the Animal Guy will delight kids and adults.
June 22, the Museum will host a visit from magician Frank Greer, and on Saturday, June 29, local arrowhead expert Paul Olson will bring part of his collection of rock tools to show kids and adults. Olson never fails to delight viewers as he is a long-time collector of arrowheads and gives the youngsters a hands-on experience.
The Sonoran Snowcone truck will be present each Saturday in June to offer frosty treats for youngsters and their parents.
Laura M. Levy, a local naturalist and volunteer at the Nature Conservancy’s Love Creek Preserve gave a highly engaging presentation on butterflies to visitors at the Museum on June 1 at 2 p.m. in the cafeteria.
She started her presentation with a brief history lesson about the naming of butterflies.
Some believe that butterfly comes from an Old English term about witches flying into homes at night to steal butter. The other explanations Levy listed were perhaps more plausible, but not quite as exciting.
Levy explained that a group of butterflies is called a “lovely.”
She also talked about the science of studying butterflies, skippers, and moths.
Levy’s engaging style and quick wit made the presentation relatable to both children and adults.
The children present were eager to offer answers to her questions and gave their honest observations throughout the presentation.
Her gorgeous photos of local butterflies were amazing and kept the adults present engaged, as well. Levy went on to detail the three parts of the butterflies’ body. Interestingly enough, butterflies’ sense of smell is through the feet on the end of each of their six legs.
Her photos of local butterflies helped make the presentation connect with everyone’s personal observations. Levy had a large collection of photos to illustrate her presentation with each photo more breathtaking than the last of these amazing insects.
To end her presentation, Levy explained the life cycle of the butterfly and what host plants did to help with their survival. The presentation kept the youngsters in the audience entertained and educated at the same time.
Levy spoke at length about the Texas state insect, the Monarch butterfly. She compared it with several other species which mimicked it.
Laura M. Levy is the force behind busy-birding. com he has created a web site with resources to help others develop and explore their love for nature.
Levy’s enthusiasm for the natural world and her knowledge about birds is encyclopedic. She will speak in July again at the Natural History Museum.
As visitors left at the end of the talk, they were able to walk out the Museum’s front doors and use their knowledge immediately. A half-dozen butterflies fluttered around the plants right at the front steps. Several stopped to observe the miracle of the butterfly.
More info about the museum and its events can be found and banderanhm. org.
