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Sunday, November 7, 2010

AUSTIN NATURE CENTER

Looking up, through the leaves, into the clear blue Saturday sky.

But these leaves won't be falling this year. They are part of a metal archway leading into the Austin Nature Center.

Yesterday our grandson was in town and along with his dad we spent a couple of hours exploring the center.

Inside the visitor center they have a room full of skulls, beetles, fossils, skins.



Take a look at these antler-like objects. This months challenge. Probably not a seed pod because there is no way for the seeds to escape.They are hollow, light weight and probably some protective device on a plant or tree. Any ideas? I just spent 15 minutes on google and didn't come up with the answer.

Someone in the lab collects owls! But there are real owls to see too; barred owls, screech owls and great horned owls, all rescued from the wild. Some with broken wings others who had lost their sight. Among the rescued wild animals are red and grey foxes, raccoons, a coyote and a bobcat. There's an amphibian and reptile house and several trails.

Getting sand out of shoes after a visit to the dinosaur pit.

A helping hand to cross the creek.

And finally a yummy drink at the Austin Juice bar. A fun afternoon for children and adults alike.

4 comments:

  1. Looks like you guys had a nice time....beautiful weather we're having right now:)

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  2. The Austin Nature Center seems to have come a long way from when I used to take my kids there 10-12 years ago. I love that metal tree arch! The dino pit wasn't there either back then.

    Your husband always has the most mischievous smile in photos!

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  3. rohrerbot-It was a nice afternoon doing something other than gardening! Afterwards we walked round the lake. I'm sure there were more calories in that mango lassi than I need to know about.
    Pam-Like the Zilker garden they continue to make improvements. The lab is worthwhile to visit even as an adult. I finally got an id on the mystery object. It is from the bull horn acacia. Those spines are really interesting as ants invade them and protect the tree from browsing animals. You just have to love nature's ways.

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  4. Looks like you had a great outing on a lovely day. The Nature Center is so fun -- for kids of all ages. We went during last spring break and had a ball.

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